Kkakdugi (Radish Kimchi) is a variety of kimchi made with Korean radish. It is a deliciously spicy and crunchy condiment eaten with steamed rice.
Kkakdugi (Radish Kimchi) is a variety of kimchi made with Korean radish. It has all the ingredients of the popular Napa cabbage kimchi but Korean radish is used instead of the cabbage. This deliciously spicy and crunchy condiment is best eaten with rice and soup.
Different Kinds of Kimchi
Kkakdugi is not as easily available in stores as Napa Cabbage Kimchi. I came across this recipe from the cookbook Discovering Korean Cuisine . There are several types of kimchi recipes in there. To date, I have tried three – Napa Cabbage Kimchi (Poggi Kimchi), Stuffed Oi Kimchi (Cucumber Kimchi) and Kkakdugi and they are all very good. I keep going back to the Kkakdugi recipe as I like the crunchy texture of the Korean radish.
Specialty Ingredients Needed to Make Kkakdugi
Some specialty ingredients are required to make this kimchi. These are available at most Korean grocery stores. The first is the radish itself. Korean radish is oval in shape with a green tip. It has a firm, crunchy texture similar to that of daikon but is sweeter and whiter in color.
Gochugaru (Korean chili pepper flakes) is a finely ground, vibrant red chili pepper. It usually comes in one pound or larger bags. Unfortunately, regular chili pepper flakes is not a good substitute for gochugaru.
Sauejeot (Korean salted shrimp) are sold in jars. Ground or finely chopped salted shrimp gives the kimchi a slightly umami flavor. If it cannot be found in your area, a tablespoon of fish sauce may be used as a substitute.
The recipe below was adapted from the cookbook Discovering Korean Cuisine.
Similar Tools Used in Making This Stuffed Cucumber Kimchi
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Glasslock Food-Storage Container with Locking Lids, 17oz, 6 piece set Including Lids
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Kkakdugi (Radish Kimchi)
Ingredients
- 1 medim Korean radish (about 2 lbs/900g)
- 2 tbsp kosher salt / coarse salt
- ½ tsp sugar
- 2 tbsp glutinous rice flour
- 5 Chinese chives (trimmed and cut into 1½ inch pieces)
For the sauce
- 1/3 cup Korean red pepper powder / gochugaru (33g)
- ½ inch ginger (minced) (15g)
- 5 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tbsp Korean salted shrimp / sauejeot (minced) or fish sauce
Instructions
- Peel radish and cut into ¾ inch cubes. Put in a large bowl, sprinkled with salt and sugar. Mix well and leave at room temperature for about 4 hours.
- In a small pot, add ½ cup (120ml) water with 2 tablespoon glutinous rice flour. Keep stirring as the water heats up and the mixture thickens. When it reaches pancake batter consistency, turn off heat. Set aside to cool.
- Prepare the sauce by combining all the sauce ingredients and and ½ cup (120ml) glutinous rice paste (from Step 2) in a large bowl.
- Drain radish. Pour sauce over radish and mix well. Add Chinese chives and continue to mix until well combined.
- Store in an air tight container in the refrigerator.
Notes
Nutrition
If you like Napa Cabbage Kimchi, you will surely enjoy this crunchy Kkakdugi. Do give it a try.
NOTE: This post was updated on September 6th, 2014 with new write-up and pictures.
Enjoy…..and have a wonderful day! 😎
Anncoo says
My hubby and I love kimchi. This is beautiful!
Biren says
Anncoo – Thank you! We love kimchi too! It makes the meal more appetizing.
5 Star Foodie says
Something I've never made and would really love to! Sounds super delicious!
denise @ quickies on the dinner table says
Can't get enough of kimchi – tastes wonderful, is something I can eat without worrying about my figure, plus it's full of beneficial enzymes. Thanks for sharing 🙂
A 2 Z Vegetarian Cuisine says
Wow..never had raddish pickle…looks nice..
MaryMoh says
Yes, kimchi! I love kimchi but I still prefer the cabbage kimchi. I've just cooked kimchi chicken yesterday…yum…really delicious.
Biren says
5 Star Foodie – Korean radish is really nice and crunchy. Do give it a try.
denise@quickies on the dinner table – That is so true…..something we can indulge in and not worry about the middle 🙂
A2Z Vegetarian Cuisine – It is very appetizing!
MaryMoh – I like the cabbage kimchi too! Your kimchi chicken must be really tasty…yum!
Spoon and Chopsticks says
I wanted to make this. I made cabbage kimchi the other day. It was delicious.
I'd like to share with you my recipe:
http://spoon-and-chopsticks.blogspot.com/2010/07/how-to-make-kimchi-easy-homemade-style.html
DongXing says
Just wanted to say I made this at the weekend and they turned out to be delicious! We have been enjoying it with plain white rice and pan fried beef slices, adding it to our instant korean kimchi soupy noodles or just eating it on the side with our salad. I shall look forward to making the korean soup with it, if there is any left!
Biren says
Glad to hear the recipe worked out well for you. I have not made this in a while and I really should make some soon. I like the crunchy texture of the radish. Kimchi really goes well with beef. I need to make some bulgogi as well. 🙂
Faith says
I had leftover daikon from making Napa cabbage kimchi, and this was the perfect recipe to use up what I had left so it didn’t go to waste! I like my kkakdugi sour, so I’ll leave it out for a few days to ferment.
Thank you for the recipe!