Korean Seasoned Cockle Salad
Quick answer
- Total time
- 30 min
- Level
- Medium
- Servings
- 2 servings
- Ingredients
- 9
About this dish
The cockles of Beolgyo, on the wide tidal flats of South Jeolla, are plump and notably sweet, and they are fullest from November through March.
Read more
Stirring in one direction while they boil helps every shell open at the same time, and they come out the moment they gape, before the meat shrinks and turns rubbery. A dressing of chili flakes, soy sauce and vinegar lays a sour, spicy edge over their briny sweetness, and a short rest lets it soak into the flesh.
Ingredients
Instructions
- 1
Place 500 g cockles in well-salted water and scrub the shells firmly against each other to remove sand and grit, then rinse under cold water until the water runs clear, at least three times.
- 2
Once water comes to a full boil, add the cockles and stir only in one direction to help all shells open evenly; remove them at exactly 4 minutes before the flesh shrinks and turns rubbery.
- 3
As soon as shells open, pry off one half of each shell and collect only the meat; spread on a sieve for at least 10 minutes so excess moisture drains fully and the dressing does not dilute.
- 4
In a bowl, combine 1.5 tbsp gochugaru, 1.5 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp vinegar, 1 tsp sugar, and 1 tsp minced garlic; stir until the sugar dissolves fully and the paste looks glossy and uniform.
- 5
Stir 20 g of thinly sliced green onion into the dressing first, then add the drained cockle meat and fold gently so the tender flesh stays whole and each piece gets evenly coated.
- 6
Drizzle 1 tsp sesame oil over the cockles, sprinkle 0.5 tbsp sesame seeds, and let the mixture rest uncovered for 10 minutes so the dressing soaks into the dense meat before serving.
Use-up ingredient planner
Turn these ingredients into two more meals
The overlap excludes basic seasonings. Open the next recipe and your selected dishes will stay with you.
Korean Grilled Eggplant (Soy Garlic Glazed Charred Eggplant)
green onion, sesame seeds
Korean Salt-Grilled Green Onion
green onion, sesame seeds
Korean Grilled Beef Short Ribs with Scallions
green onion, sesame seeds