Making my FAVORITE Korean side dish on REPEAT

Making my FAVORITE Korean side dish on REPEAT is a easy Korean recipe that serves 4. 30 calories per serving. Recipe by The Korean Vegan on YouTube.

Prep: 1 hr 11 min | Cook: PT0M | Total: 1 hr 21 min

Cost: $2.20 total, $0.55 per serving

Ingredients

  • 1 medium Korean Radish (about 500 g, keep the peel for broth)
  • 2 tablespoon Salt (coarse sea salt)
  • 1 tablespoon Granulated Sugar
  • 2 stalk Green Onions (thinly sliced)
  • 2 clove Garlic (minced)
  • 2 tablespoon Rice Vinegar (seasoned rice vinegar)
  • 1 teaspoon Agave Syrup (vegan sweetener)
  • ½ teaspoon Black Pepper (freshly ground)
  • ¼ cup Saved Radish Liquid (liquid drained after salting radish)

Instructions

  1. Wash and Peel Radish

    Rinse the Korean radish under cold water, then peel it, keeping the peel aside for broth if desired.

    Time: PT5M

  2. Julienne Radish

    Cut the peeled radish into match‑stick sized strips (julienne).

    Time: PT5M

  3. Salt and Sweeten

    Place the radish sticks in a large bowl, add 2 Tbsp salt and 1 Tbsp sugar, toss to coat, then let sit for 45 minutes.

    Time: PT45M

  4. Drain Brine

    After 45 minutes, pour off the liquid into a small bowl and set aside; this will become part of the dressing.

    Time: PT2M

  5. Rinse Radish

    Rinse the salted radish under cold running water, then drain well in a colander.

    Time: PT2M

  6. Prepare Aromatics

    Thinly slice the green onions and mince the garlic.

    Time: PT5M

  7. Make Dressing

    In a small bowl combine the saved radish liquid, 2 Tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tsp agave syrup, and ½ tsp black pepper. Stir in the sliced green onions and minced garlic.

    Time: PT5M

  8. Combine and Rest

    Pour the dressing over the rinsed radish sticks, toss to coat evenly, and let sit for another 5 minutes to let flavors meld.

    Time: PT5M

Nutrition Facts

Calories
30
Protein
0.5 g
Carbohydrates
7 g
Fat
0 g
Fiber
2 g

Dietary info: Vegan, Gluten-Free, Low-Calorie, Low-Fat, High-Fiber

Last updated: April 17, 2026

Amazon Associates

Amazon Associates PartnerTrusted

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases made through links on this page. This helps support our site at no extra cost to you. Clicking on ingredient or equipment links will take you to amazon.com where you can purchase these items.

Making my FAVORITE Korean side dish on REPEAT

Recipe by The Korean Vegan

A crisp, tangy Korean radish salad (muwoobok) that’s vegan, low‑labor, and perfect as a banchan for any Korean meal. The radish is salted, lightly sweetened, and tossed with a quick rice‑vinegar dressing, making a refreshing side that keeps well in the fridge.

EasyKoreanServes 4

Shop all ingredients on Amazon in one click • Printable PDF with shopping checklist

Source Video
1h 14m
Prep
0m
Cook
10m
Cleanup
1h 24m
Total

Cost Breakdown

$2.20
Total cost
$0.55
Per serving

Critical Success Points

  • Salting the radish and allowing it to sit for 45 minutes to draw out moisture.
  • Draining and reserving the brine for the dressing.

Safety Warnings

  • Use a stable cutting board and keep fingers curled to avoid knife injuries.
  • If using a mandoline, wear the safety guard.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about this recipe

Q

What is the cultural significance and history of Korean Radish Salad in Korean cuisine?

A

Korean Radish Salad, known as muwoobok, is a classic banchan that dates back to the Joseon era. It was created as a way to preserve radish and add a refreshing, crunchy element to meals, balancing richer dishes like kimchi and grilled meats.

cultural
Q

What are the traditional regional variations of Korean Radish Salad in Korean cuisine?

A

In the southern provinces, the salad is often sweeter and includes a touch of gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes). In the northern regions, it tends to be more sour, using a higher proportion of rice vinegar and sometimes a splash of soy sauce.

cultural
Q

How is Korean Radish Salad traditionally served in Korean households?

A

Muwoobok is served in small communal bowls alongside rice and other banchan. It is eaten with chopsticks and is meant to be a palate‑cleansing, crunchy side that can be refreshed throughout the meal.

cultural
Q

What occasions or celebrations is Korean Radish Salad traditionally associated with in Korean culture?

A

While muwoobok is an everyday side, it is also featured in holiday spreads such as Chuseok and Seollal because its crisp texture complements the richer, festive dishes served during these celebrations.

cultural
Q

What other Korean dishes pair well with Korean Radish Salad?

A

It pairs beautifully with bibimbap, bulgogi, Korean fried chicken, and hearty stews like kimchi jjigae, providing a bright contrast to the savory and spicy flavors.

cultural
Q

What makes Korean Radish Salad special or unique in Korean cuisine?

A

Its simplicity—just radish, salt, sugar, and a quick vinegar dressing—highlights the Korean culinary principle of balancing flavors (sweet, sour, salty) while preserving the natural crunch of the vegetable.

cultural
Q

How has Korean Radish Salad evolved over time in modern Korean cooking?

A

Modern versions often incorporate additional aromatics like garlic, sesame oil, or gochugaru, and vegan creators like The Korean Vegan adapt it with plant‑based sweeteners, making it suitable for contemporary dietary preferences.

cultural
Q

What are the most common mistakes to avoid when making Korean Radish Salad?

A

Common errors include under‑salting the radish (resulting in a bland salad), over‑salting (making it too salty), and not rinsing the radish after the brine, which can leave excess salt on the sticks.

technical
Q

Why does this Korean Radish Salad recipe use the saved brine in the dressing instead of fresh water?

A

The saved brine contains dissolved radish sugars and salts, adding depth of flavor and a subtle umami that plain water cannot provide, resulting in a more authentic and layered taste.

technical
Q

What does the YouTube channel The Korean Vegan specialize in?

A

The Korean Vegan focuses on plant‑based Korean cooking, offering vegan adaptations of traditional Korean dishes while emphasizing wholesome ingredients, sustainability, and clear step‑by‑step tutorials.

channel
Q

How does the YouTube channel The Korean Vegan's approach to Korean cooking differ from other Korean cooking channels?

A

The Korean Vegan adapts classic Korean recipes to be fully vegan, often substituting animal‑based ingredients with plant‑based alternatives and providing detailed explanations of Korean flavor fundamentals, unlike many channels that stick to conventional preparations.

channel

You Might Also Like

Similar recipes converted from YouTube cooking videos

TikTok “Logan’s" Viral Cucumber Salad Recipe
4

TikTok “Logan’s" Viral Cucumber Salad Recipe

A quick, crunchy Korean‑style cucumber salad made with soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, a touch of sugar, MSG and chili crisp. Perfect as a side dish, snack, or hangover cure.

15 minServes 2$1
Korean
Japanese Steakhouse Cucumber Salad Recipe
7

Japanese Steakhouse Cucumber Salad Recipe

A crisp, refreshing Japanese cucumber salad (sunomono) that balances sweet, salty, and tangy flavors. Thinly sliced English cucumber is lightly salted to draw out excess moisture, then tossed in a quick rice‑vinegar dressing with low‑sodium soy sauce, sesame oil, and a touch of sugar. Finished with toasted sesame seeds, it’s the perfect cool side for summer meals or hibachi dishes.

40 minServes 2$1
Japanese
Smashed Cucumber Salad Recipe - How to Make the World's Most Addictive Cucumber Salad
2

Smashed Cucumber Salad Recipe - How to Make the World's Most Addictive Cucumber Salad

A crisp, bright cucumber salad that uses the simple technique of smashing cucumbers to enhance flavor and texture. Tossed with a tangy Asian-inspired dressing of garlic, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and Korean chili flakes, then finished with toasted sesame seeds. Perfect as a refreshing side for grilled meats or a light summer appetizer.

1 hr 30 minServes 4$2
American (Asian Fusion)
Make these pickled onions and be amazed at the results.
7

Make these pickled onions and be amazed at the results.

A fast and easy way to make tangy pickled onions at home using a simple brine of sugar, salt, pepper, and apple (or grape) vinegar. Ready in just a few minutes of prep and 7 hours of resting, these crunchy, colorful onions are perfect for tacos, burgers, salads, and sandwiches.

30 minServes 4$1
American
Korean Pickled Garlic 🧄
4

Korean Pickled Garlic 🧄

A tangy, crunchy Korean-style pickled garlic made by blanching peeled garlic, shocking it in ice water, then fermenting it in vinegar for a week before finishing with a sweet soy‑vinegar sauce. The result is a versatile condiment that can be enjoyed after a week or aged for 2‑4 weeks for deeper flavor.

36 minServes 6$5
Korean
making the viral pickled garlic snack
2

making the viral pickled garlic snack

A super fast, tangy, sweet, and mildly spicy Korean-style pickled garlic snack that became viral during lockdown. Made in just a few minutes with garlic, Korean red pepper flakes, and sriracha, this jarred snack is perfect for a pungent, crave‑worthy treat.

8 minServes 2$1
Korean
Blue/Green Pickled Garlic
5

Blue/Green Pickled Garlic

A simple, two-ingredient Korean-inspired pickled garlic that turns a striking blue-green color after a few days of fermentation. Perfect as a banchan side dish or a natural remedy, this recipe requires only peeled garlic cloves and distilled white vinegar, sealed in a mason jar and left to develop its unique hue.

25 minServes 2$4
Korean
Is this really the best salad recipe ever? 🤔🧐
6

Is this really the best salad recipe ever? 🤔🧐

A super simple, crisp iceberg lettuce salad dressed with lemon juice, a splash of vinegar, garlic, salt, and pepper. This minimalist side dish highlights the fresh crunch of iceberg lettuce and can be tossed in under 15 minutes.

20 minServes 4$2
American
Making my FAVORITE Korean side dish on REPEAT