Korean Green Onion Salad (Pa Muchim)

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Pa muchim is usually eaten with a grilled unseasoned protein like pork or samgyupsal gui or seasoned pork belly, simple samgyupsal.

However, korean green onion salad isn’t limited to just grilled pork. It also goes well with beef, chicken, and even seafood. If you’re having Western food with it, it’s also delicious! We love the simplicity of this side dish because the flavors match with most dishes. Its ingredients are easily likable and easy to keep too.

Korean green onion salad is a popular Korean side dish that is typically eaten with grilled meat like for samgyupsal. It is made in two general ways, one with just the green onion, sesame oil, gochugaru, and sesame seeds.

The other way to make this salad is to combine all of these ingredients with the addition of salt or soy sauce. However, once the salt base is added to the green onions, it’ll naturally wilt faster.

Korean green onion salad is definitely a must try.

How do Koreans shred green onions?

We mentioned earlier that Koren green onion salad is so popular that there are special tools made just to make this salad perfect. Thinly sliced green onions are also readily available in Korean grocery stores.

Although you can slice your own green onions, if you have the best knife skills and all, you can also buy a special tool to achieve how the Koreans shred the onion. You can simply find this slicer over at Amazon or a Japanese store. It’s called a green onion negi cutter and it comes with a narrow handle 6-7 thin blades that are side by side to cut through the green onion. It comes out green and perfectly julienned.

What is the difference between scallion and green onion?

Green onion, scallions, leeks, chives, the list goes on and on. All of these leafy greens look alike with the exception of the size. Scallions and green onions are named differently but to be honest, they’re pretty much the same. They’re only labeled differently depending on the store.

If you’re at a grocery store and you see two separate packages of green onion and scallions, they’re most likely pulling your leg. Both scallions and green onions have a smaller bulb compared to spring onions, which are totally different. The bulb of a spring onion is bigger than that of the scallion/green onion, very similar to the size of a shallot.

To sum up, scallions and green onions are the same!

Ingredients

• Gochugaru

Gochugaru is coarsely ground chili powder that is typically added to plenty of Korean dishes, one of which is the popular kimchi. If you’re a fan of Korean food, it’s worth having this in your pantry.

• Sesame Oil

It’s very important to use fresh sesame oil and not the kind that’s been in your pantry for too long. Chances are, the sesame oil will get rancid and it’s not a pleasant taste in your mouth.

• Sesame Seeds

Sesame seeds are a nice addition to this Korean side dish because it adds a delicious texture. Remember to toast your sesame seeds before adding them to the dish to make sure the aroma and flavor come out.

Tips and Tricks for your Korean Green Onion Salad

• Chill the green onion after cutting

If you’re cutting your green onion or if you bought it from the store, remember to chill it before mixing it together with the other ingredients. Temperature definitely adds to the texture.

• Toast the sesame seeds

Remember to toast the sesame seeds before adding to the mixture. It’s nice to allow the aroma and flavor of the sesame seeds to bloom.

• If adding salt to the side dish, put together the salad right before serving.

Salt makes the green onion wilt fast. This salad is best when it is crunchy. If you’re adding salt, make sure to assemble the salad right before serving.

How to make Korean Green Onion Salad?

Let’s say you’re slicing the green onion on your own, we’re proud of you, by the way, cut the green onion in 4” lengths then slice thinly using a sharp knife or the green onion cutter.

Soak the sliced green onion in cold water for 10 minutes. You may chill it too.

Strain the water and then in a bowl, combine the gochugaru, sesame oil, and sesame seeds.

Toss well and serve immediately.

What to serve with Green Onion Salad?

Pa muchim or green onion salad was made to serve with grilled pork for samgyupsal. However, you can serve it with any kind of Korean barbecue and lettuce leaves. This side dish is easily likable and could be served with any Korean or even Asian dish that you fancy.

We even like serving this alongside japchae, a Korean style noodle dish that’s slightly sweet. The sky is your limit with pa muchim but we’ve given you our favorite dishes to serve with it.