Korean Spinach Side Dish (Sigeumchi Namul) Recipe
Korean Spinach Side Dish, known as Sigeumchi Namul, is a simple and flavorful vegetable side dish featuring blanched spinach seasoned with garlic, soy sauce, green onions, and toasted sesame oil and seeds. This refreshing and nutritious dish adds a fresh, savory touch to any Korean meal.
- Author: Jeannette
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Blanching and Mixing
- Cuisine: Korean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Vegetables
- 1 bunch (10 oz) spinach, ends trimmed
- 1 stalk green onion, chopped
Seasonings
- 1 clove garlic, finely minced
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons toasted sesame seeds
- Trim the spinach: Place the spinach on a cutting board, trim the ends, and slice into about 2-inch pieces to prepare for blanching.
- Blanch the spinach: Bring a pot of water with a pinch of salt to a boil over high heat. Add the spinach and blanch for 30 seconds or until just wilted, preserving its vibrant green color.
- Cool in an ice bath: Immediately transfer the blanched spinach to an ice bath to stop the cooking process and keep it crisp. Once cooled, gently squeeze out all excess water to avoid sogginess.
- Mix: Place the drained spinach in a mixing bowl and add the minced garlic, chopped green onion, soy sauce, salt, toasted sesame oil, and toasted sesame seeds. Mix thoroughly until the spinach is well seasoned.
- Serve: Plate the seasoned spinach and serve as a refreshing side dish to complement your Korean meal.
Notes
- Make sure to squeeze out as much water as possible after blanching to prevent the dish from becoming watery.
- Adjust the amount of soy sauce and salt to taste for a milder or stronger flavor.
- To enhance texture, you can add a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes for a slight spicy kick.
- Use fresh toasted sesame seeds for the best aroma and flavor.
- This side dish can be served cold or at room temperature and is best enjoyed the same day.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe (about 1/2 cup)
- Calories: 50
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Korean side dish, spinach namul, Sigeumchi Namul, Korean spinach recipe, healthy Korean vegetable dish, Korean banchan, sesame spinach salad, easy Korean side