Chicken Mu
Korean Pickled Radish
Crisp, refreshing, and slightly sweet-tart pickled daikon radish cubes, a classic accompaniment to Korean fried chicken, offering a delightful contrast to the richness of the fried dish.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 large Korean radish (mu or daikon)(About 1.5 - 2 lbs (700-900g). Look for firm, heavy radishes.)
- 0.5 cup Granulated sugar
- 0.5 cup Rice vinegar(Unseasoned rice vinegar is preferred.)
- 1 cup Water
- 1 tsp Salt(Kosher salt or sea salt is recommended.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the radish: Peel the Korean radish. Cut it into bite-sized cubes, approximately 3/4-inch (2 cm). Aim for uniform size for even pickling.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 2
Make the pickling brine: In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, rice vinegar, water, and salt. Place over medium heat.
⏱️ 2 minutes - 3
Heat the brine: Stir the mixture continuously until the sugar and salt are completely dissolved. Bring the brine to a gentle simmer, but do not boil. Once simmering and dissolved, remove from heat.
⏱️ 3 minutes - 4
Cool and combine: Let the brine cool slightly for about 5-10 minutes. While the brine is still warm (not hot), place the cubed radish into a clean glass jar or a non-reactive container. Pour the warm brine over the radish, ensuring all cubes are submerged.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 5
Pickle: Seal the container and refrigerate. Allow the radish to pickle for at least 2 hours before serving. For best flavor, let it pickle for 4-6 hours or overnight. The radish will become more tender and absorb the sweet-sour flavors over time.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓This pickled radish is an essential side dish for Korean fried chicken, cutting through the richness.
- ✓The sweet and sour flavor profile provides a refreshing contrast to savory and spicy dishes.
- ✓This is a quick pickle method, best enjoyed within a week for optimal crispness.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a thinly sliced fresh chili (like jalapeño or serrano) to the jar for a spicy kick.
- Include a few thin slices of yellow onion in the jar for added aroma and flavor.