Korean cuisine may not be known for salads, but they’re an essential part of it.
Salads made with fresh veggies, greens, and dressings balance out the rich flavors of traditional dishes like bulgogi and kimchi.
Join me on a culinary journey through the colorful world of Korean cuisine!
Leafy Green Salads
1. Korean Green Salad
This Korean Green Salad combines crisp lettuce, cucumber, and radish with a tangy sesame dressing, creating a refreshing and nutritious side dish or appetizer.
Cooking Tip: To enhance the flavor, lightly toast some sesame seeds before adding them to the dressing. This brings out their nuttiness and adds depth to the salad.
Pairing Dish: Pair this salad with grilled Korean BBQ meats like bulgogi or galbi for a balanced and flavorful meal.
2. Korean Lettuce Salad
The Korean Lettuce Salad features fresh leaves tossed in a light soy-based dressing with hints of garlic and sesame oil, offering a simple yet satisfying accompaniment to any Korean meal.
Cooking Tip: Add toasted pine nuts or slivered almonds to the salad for extra crunch and flavor before serving.
Pairing Dish: Serve this lettuce salad alongside traditional Korean rice dishes like bibimbap or grilled fish for a light and refreshing contrast.
3. Tofu Salad With Iceberg Lettuce
This Tofu Salad with Iceberg Lettuce combines crispy iceberg lettuce with creamy tofu cubes, crunchy vegetables, and a zesty soy-ginger dressing, creating a delightful and healthy salad option.
Cooking Tip: Marinate the tofu in the dressing for at least 30 minutes before assembling the salad to allow the flavors to meld together.
Pairing Dish: Enjoy this tofu salad as a light lunch, or pair it with grilled vegetables and steamed rice for a satisfying vegetarian meal.
4. Apple Onion Celery Salad
The Apple Onion Celery Salad features a delightful mix of crisp apples, savory onions, and refreshing celery dressed in a light vinaigrette, offering a sweet and tangy flavor profile.
Cooking Tip: For added sweetness, toss the apple slices in lemon juice to prevent browning and enhance their natural flavor.
Pairing Dish: Serve this refreshing salad as a side dish to accompany grilled pork chops or a hearty bowl of Korean vegetable stew.
5. Spicy Green Onion Salad
This Spicy Green Onion Salad combines fresh green onions with spicy Korean chili flakes, garlic, and sesame oil, creating a vibrant and flavorful side dish that pairs perfectly with grilled meats or rice.
Cooking Tip: Adjust the amount of chili flakes according to your spice preference, adding more for extra heat or reducing for a milder flavor.
Pairing Dish: Enjoy this spicy salad alongside grilled pork belly (samgyeopsal) or as a topping for Korean pancakes (pajeon) for an added kick of flavor.
Vegetable Side Dishes
6. Steamed Eggplant Side Dish
The Steamed Eggplant Side Dish features tender steamed eggplant slices seasoned with soy sauce, garlic, and sesame oil, offering a savory and satisfying addition to any Korean meal.
Cooking Tip: To prevent the eggplant from becoming mushy, avoid overcooking it during steaming. Aim for a tender texture that still holds its shape.
Pairing Dish: Serve this flavorful side dish alongside grilled fish or as part of a traditional Korean banchan spread for a well-rounded dining experience.
7. Sigeumchi Namul (Korean Spinach Side Dish)
Sigeumchi Namul, or Korean Spinach Side Dish, features blanched spinach seasoned with soy sauce, garlic, sesame oil, and sesame seeds, offering a simple yet delicious accompaniment to any Korean meal.
Cooking Tip: After blanching the spinach, immediately transfer it to an ice bath to stop the cooking process and help retain its vibrant green color.
Pairing Dish: Enjoy this nutritious spinach side dish alongside Korean rice cakes (tteok) or as part of a traditional bibimbap bowl for added texture and flavor.
8. Korean Seaweed Side Dish
The Korean Seaweed Side Dish features seasoned seaweed strips tossed in a sesame oil dressing with hints of garlic and soy sauce, offering a salty and savory addition to any Korean meal.
Cooking Tip: To enhance the flavor of the seaweed, lightly toast it in a dry skillet before tossing it with the dressing.
Pairing Dish: Serve this flavorful seaweed side dish alongside grilled fish or seafood dishes for a taste of the sea, or enjoy it as a standalone snack or appetizer.
9. Baby Bok Choy Kimchi Salad
This Baby Bok Choy Kimchi Salad features crisp baby bok choy leaves marinated in spicy kimchi seasoning, offering a unique and flavorful twist on traditional Korean kimchi.
Cooking Tip: Massage the kimchi seasoning into the baby bok choy leaves using your hands to ensure they are evenly coated and infused with flavor.
Pairing Dish: Enjoy this spicy kimchi salad alongside grilled meats or tofu stir-fry for a satisfying and flavorful meal.
10. Spicy Korean Carrots
Spicy Korean Carrots features julienned carrots marinated in a spicy-sweet dressing with garlic, ginger, Korean chili flakes, and vinegar, offering a zesty and flavorful side dish or topping for rice bowls.
Cooking Tip: For best results, allow the carrots to marinate in the dressing for at least an hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.
Pairing Dish: Serve these spicy carrots alongside Korean barbecue meats or as a topping for bibimbap or noodle dishes for an added kick of flavor and color.
11. Mung Bean Sprouts Salad
The Mung Bean Sprouts Salad features crunchy mung bean sprouts tossed in a tangy soy-sesame dressing with garlic and green onions, offering a refreshing and nutritious side dish or topping for Korean rice bowls.
Cooking Tip: Blanch the mung bean sprouts in boiling water for a few seconds to soften them slightly while retaining their crunchiness.
Pairing Dish: Enjoy this refreshing sprout salad alongside grilled fish or as a topping for Korean pancakes (jeon) for added texture and flavor.
12. Korean Potato Salad
The Korean Potato Salad features creamy mashed potatoes mixed with crunchy vegetables like carrots and cucumbers, dressed in a tangy mayonnaise-based dressing with hints of mustard and vinegar.
Cooking Tip: For a smoother texture, mash the potatoes while they are still warm and gently mix the other ingredients to avoid overworking the salad.
Pairing Dish: Serve this comforting potato salad alongside Korean fried chicken or as a side dish for barbecue meats for a satisfying and flavorful meal.
Protein-Based Salads
13. Crisp Korean Beef Salad With Citron Tea Dressing
Crisp Korean Beef Salad with Citron Tea Dressing features tender slices of beef marinated in a citrusy-sweet dressing made with Korean citron tea, soy sauce, and sesame oil, served over crisp lettuce and vegetables for a refreshing and flavorful meal.
Cooking Tip: Marinate the beef slices for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat, and tenderize it before grilling or pan-searing.
Pairing Dish: Enjoy this flavorful beef salad with steamed rice and pickled vegetables for a complete and satisfying Korean meal.
14. Tuna Tataki Salad
Tuna Tataki Salad features lightly seared tuna slices served over mixed greens and vegetables, dressed in a tangy soy-ginger dressing with hints of sesame oil and wasabi, offering a refreshing and protein-packed meal option.
Cooking Tip: Sear the tuna quickly over high heat to create a crisp outer layer while keeping the center rare for the best texture and flavor.
Pairing Dish: Enjoy this flavorful tuna salad with a side of sushi rice or as a light and refreshing appetizer before a Korean barbecue feast.
15. BBQ Tempeh With Citrus Salad
BBQ Tempeh with Citrus Salad features grilled tempeh marinated in a tangy barbecue sauce, served over a bed of mixed greens and citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruits, offering a refreshing and satisfying vegan meal option.
Cooking Tip: Marinate the tempeh in the barbecue sauce for at least an hour before grilling to infuse it with flavor and tenderize the texture.
Pairing Dish: Serve this flavorful tempeh salad with a side of quinoa or brown rice for a complete and nutritious meal, or enjoy it as a light lunch or dinner option.
Final Thoughts
Korean cuisine offers a variety of delicious salads, including Green Salad, Steamed Eggplant Side Dish, and Sigeumchi Namul, to suit every taste.
So, put on your apron and explore the world of Korean salads.
Ready for more? How about some Korean zucchini recipes or some Korean ground turkey recipes?
Frequently Asked Questions
Salads come in various types, each with its unique ingredients and flavors:
1. Leafy Green Salads: Green salads typically include leafy greens, veggies, fruits, nuts, and dressing.
2. Vegetable Salads: Vegetables like cucumber, tomato, carrot, bell pepper, and onion are often served with a dressing.
3. Fruit Salads: Fresh fruits with sweeteners or dressings, a sweet and refreshing side dish or dessert.
4. Grain Salads: Grains mixed with veggies, herbs, and protein, dressed with vinaigrette or yogurt-based dressings.
5. Protein-based Salads: Protein-rich grilled chicken with veggies, greens, grains, and dressings make a nutritious and satisfying meal.
Ssamjang lettuce is popular in Korean BBQ for its crisp texture and ability to hold ingredients well. It’s a wrap for grilled meat and served with garlic cloves, green chili peppers, and fermented soybean paste.
15 Tasty Korean Salad Recipes
Course: Other Recipes4
servings30
minutes40
minutes300
kcalIngredients
Directions
- Choose a recipe from above
- Collect your ingredients
- Prepare your dish
- Enjoy.
Recipe Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYiPDJinxs0Video can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Korean Spicy Lettuce Salad / Sangchu Geotjeori (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYiPDJinxs0)- 16 Martha Stewart Baking Recipes You Have To Try - May 29, 2024
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