Sangchu Chikeori Geotjeori (Fresh Lettuce and Chicory Salad)
A fresh salad made with crisp lettuce and chicory, tossed in a spicy and tangy dressing.
📝 Editor's Notes
Today's Sangchu Chikeori Geotjeori is a representative Korean home-style dish that stimulates the appetite with the crispness of fresh vegetables and a spicy and tangy dressing.
It pairs perfectly with rice and also complements meat dishes.
It's easy to make without complicated steps, so even beginner cooks can try it.
The freshness of lettuce and chicory will invigorate your appetite, especially in spring and summer.
Try making this simple yet healthy Geotjeori (겉절이) for a nutritious meal.
🛒 Ingredient Tips
When choosing lettuce, it's important to select fresh, glossy, and tender leaves.
Check for any wilting or damage, and opt for slightly tender leaves rather than overly firm ones.
For chicory, choose young leaves that are green, firm, and not too bitter.
For onions, select ones with firm, glossy skin and no soft spots.
Remember, good ingredients account for more than half the taste of your Geotjeori (겉절이)!
🔄 Substitution Guide
You can use romaine lettuce or bok choy instead of lettuce.
Romaine offers a nice crunch, while bok choy provides a softer texture, allowing for a different kind of Geotjeori (겉절이).
If chicory is unavailable, try endive or kale for a similar bitter taste.
If you dislike bitterness, a mixed bag of baby greens also works well.
For a spicier kick, use Cheongyang chili peppers (청양고추) instead of red chili peppers, or if you prefer less heat, add julienned bell peppers.
If you don't have fish sauce, anchovy sauce or tuna sauce can be substituted.
If the strong aroma of fish sauce is an issue, you can slightly increase the amount of soy sauce.
🥘 Ingredients
👨🍳 Cooking Points
The most important cooking point for this Geotjeori (겉절이) is to thoroughly remove all moisture from the vegetables.
Any remaining water can cause the dressing to separate and the Geotjeori (겉절이) to become soggy quickly, so after washing, use a spinner or paper towels to remove moisture carefully.
Second, prepare the dressing in advance and allow it to ripen sufficiently.
Let it sit for about 10 minutes so the dressing ingredients can meld together for a deeper flavor.
Finally, when tossing the vegetables with the dressing, do so lightly just before serving to maintain the crisp texture of the vegetables.
Tossing for too long will wilt the vegetables and reduce their taste.
👨🍳 Directions
Wash the lettuce and chicory several times under running water and drain thoroughly.
Slice the onion, carrot, and red chili pepper into bite-sized pieces.
Prepare the dressing by mixing 2 tbsp of mirin, 2 tbsp of soy sauce, 2 tbsp of fish sauce, sesame oil, toasted sesame seeds, minced garlic, and 2 tbsp of gochugaru (고춧가루).
Add the sliced vegetables (onion, carrot, red chili pepper) to the prepared dressing and mix well.
Layer the lettuce and chicory with the dressing in an airtight container.
📦 Storage & Reuse
Geotjeori (겉절이) is best eaten immediately after preparation.
If there are leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
It's best to consume it within 2-3 days as the freshness of the vegetables may decline.
Freezing is not recommended as it can make the vegetables mushy.
When serving again, you can eat it directly from the refrigerator without reheating to enjoy its cool and crisp taste.
However, please note that the vegetables may release water over time, making the dressing thinner.
🥢 Who This Is For
Thanks to its spicy and crisp flavor, Sangchu Chikeori Geotjeori (상추치커리겉절이) pairs wonderfully with greasy meat dishes like samgyeopsal (삼겹살) and galbi-jjim (갈비찜), cutting through the richness and adding freshness.
It also makes a great meal on its own, simply mixed with warm white rice.
For busy working mothers or those eating alone, it's a convenient and nutritious side dish.
It also serves as an excellent fresh salad alternative for dinner parties.
🔥 Nutrition Info
Based on a single serving (approximately 100g) of this Sangchu Chikeori Geotjeori (상추치커리겉절이), the estimated calories are about 50-70 kcal.
Protein is approximately 2-3g, fat 2-3g, and carbohydrates 5-8g.
Lettuce and chicory are rich in various vitamins and minerals such as vitamins A and C, calcium, and iron, which help boost immunity and reduce fatigue.
Especially rich in dietary fiber, it's good for gut health, and the capsaicin in gochugaru (고춧가루) can help activate metabolism.
It can be considered a healthy side dish that is low in calories yet nutritionally balanced.
💬 Comments
No comments yet. Be the first to comment!