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korean radish kimchi in glass mixing bowl with spoon
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5 from 3 votes

Radish Kimchi "Kkakdugi" Recipe

The easiest kimchi to make is also the crunchiest! Cube up some radish, salt it, spice it, and let it ferment into fiery deliciousness!
Prep Time5 minutes
Total Time5 minutes
Resting Time30 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Banchan, Side Dish
Cuisine: asian, korean
Keyword: banchan, kimchi, kkakdugi
Servings: 4 cups
Calories: 77.5kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds Korean radish “mu” about 1 large radish
  • 1 tablespoon sea salt
  • optional: up to 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 4-6 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 1 1-inch piece fresh ginger peeled and finely chopped
  • 2 scallions, cut into ¾-inch pieces
  • ¼ cup gochugaru coarse grind
  • 1 tablespoon fish sauce

Instructions

  • Peel and cut radish into ¾-inch cubes. Place radish cubes in a large bowl, toss with 1 tablespoon salt and up to 1 tablespoon sugar if using. Leave salted radish in bowl to draw out liquid for 10 minutes, up to 30 minutes.
  • Drain liquid from radish into a separate bowl and save.
  • Add garlic, ginger, green onions, gochgaru, and fish sauce to the radishes. Wearing gloves, mix the seasonings with the radish by hand, lightly massaging the seasonings into the radishes. If the seasonings are not distributing evenly, add little bit of the reserved salted radish liquid.
  • Transfer seasoned radishes to a large glass container with a tight-fitting lid like a glass jar. Gently tap the container against the counter and press down on the radishes with a ladle or your hands to remove and air pockets. Cover the container loosely with plastic wrap or with the lid, not sealed all the way shut.
  • To jumpstart the fermentation, you can leave the container of fresh kkakdugi on the counter overnight. Press down on the radishes into the liquid they release, then close the lid tightly and refrigerate.
  • You can eat kkakdugi right away; it will taste like spicy radish salad. After 1 day, it will be lightly fermented. After 3 days, it will taste like the kkakdugi you know and love.
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Notes

1 serving is 1 cup of finished Korean Radish Kimchi

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 77.5kcal | Protein: 4.5g | Fat: 1.5g | Fiber: 7.5g