Korean Pickled Radish (Danmuji) Recipe (2024)

Do you enjoy that pickled radish in your favorite Japanese or Korean restaurant?

I bet you will be surprised by how easy it is to make authentic Korean pickled radish at home!

With this recipe, everyone will be able to make these golden yellow, healthy, crunchy, and refreshing radish pickles within 45 minutes!

Korean Pickled Radish (Danmuji) Recipe (1)

Is Danmuji GOOD for You?

Korean Pickled radish, also known as “Danmuji”, is tasty, nutrient-rich, and rich in probiotic microorganisms.

According to an article(by Chelsea Debret) on onegreenplanet.org, pickled radish has “wonderful health benefits” on improving digestive system health, managing healthy weight, reducing inflammation, boosting immune system, and fighting against depression and anxiety.

Similar to pickled radish, traditional homemade kimchi also has all these benefits to your body!

Check out my Kimchi Recipe by clicking the picture below ->

The yellow coloring of danmuji

Kimbap is one of Mr He’s favorite Korean snack. He especially loves these yellow pickled radish cubes in kimbaps.

However, I have always been hesitating to order Korean pickled radishes in restaurants, thinking that they are artificially colored.

Recently, I surprisingly learned that the bright yellow coloring of Korean pickled radish was from cape jasmine seeds, not artificial food dyes!

Korean Pickled Radish (Danmuji) Recipe (3)

Omg, I should have known this information earlier! I have missed so many chances to enjoy delicious kimbaps!

But if you buy danmuji from grocery stores or order from restaurants, still, they are very likely artificially colored.

Luckily, we can easily make very natural, healthy, and authentically delicious Korean pickled radish at home within 45 minutes! And you can easily find all the ingredients you need in your local stores.

I know that cape jasmine seeds could be hard to find in US stores. Here I have a perfect substitute for you:Turmeric powder.

Korean Pickled Radish (Danmuji) Recipe (4)

Turmeric powder and cape jasmine seeds both work perfectly as healthy natural food dyes. Feel free to use either of them, you won’t be able to taste the difference of the finished pickled radishes.

What can you do with Korean Pickled Radish?

Korean pickled radish, with its perfect balance of sweetness, sourness, and a hint of spice, can be a great flavor boosting to any dish.

Korean Pickled Radish (Danmuji) Recipe (5)

You can add it as a refreshing and crunchy topping to your salad, slice it to garnish your ramen noodles, or simply eat it as a low-calorie healthy side dish.

If you enjoy Korean side dishes, you will also like this recipe:

Check out my – Sweet and Spicy Korean Style Potato

One of the most typical Korean food made with danmuji could be kimbap (or gimbap). You can easily make some at home with a leftover chip tube.

This picture below is a portal to my kimbap recipe ->

How to Make – Korean Pickled Radish

EQUIPMENT

  • 1 Small Saucepan
Korean Pickled Radish (Danmuji) Recipe (7)
  • 2 food storage containers with lids
Korean Pickled Radish (Danmuji) Recipe (8)

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 Large Daikon radish about 600g
  • 1½ tbsp Salt (1 tbsp for marinating the radish, ½ tbsp for the broth)
  • ½ tsp Turmeric powder
Korean Pickled Radish (Danmuji) Recipe (9)
  • ½ cup Sugar
  • 1½ cup Water
  • 1cupRice vinegar

INSTRUCTIONS

1. A large daikon radish, peel off its skin. Cut the radish crosswise into the length of your container.

Korean Pickled Radish (Danmuji) Recipe (10)

2. Cut the radish lengthwise into ½-inch wide strips.

Korean Pickled Radish (Danmuji) Recipe (11)

3. The radish can also be sliced into half-moon shape thin slices.

Korean Pickled Radish (Danmuji) Recipe (12)

4. Put sliced radish into a large bowl, sprinkle 1 tbsp of salt over the radish. Rub the salt evenly on radish. Set aside to marinate for 30 minutes.

5. In a medium saucepan, add turmeric powder, sugar, salt, and water. Bring to a boil. Stir until all the sugar has dissolved. Turn off the heat. Add rice vinegar to the saucepan. Set aside.

Korean Pickled Radish (Danmuji) Recipe (13)

6. After the radish strips and slices have been marinated for 30 minutes, drain, rinse with potable water, squeeze out excess water, put radish strips and slices in clean containers.

Korean Pickled Radish (Danmuji) Recipe (14)

7. Pour the turmeric vinegar mixture over the radish.

Korean Pickled Radish (Danmuji) Recipe (15)

8. Let it cool down, cover the lid and keep in the fridge overnight before using.Korean Pickled Radish (Danmuji) Recipe (16)Korean Pickled Radish (Danmuji) Recipe (17)Korean Pickled Radish (Danmuji) Recipe (18)

Korean Pickled Radish (Danmuji) Recipe (19)

9. Homemade picked radish can last in the fridge for up to 1 month.

My other Vegetarian Recipes you will also like:

Korean Pickled Radish (Danmuji)

Ms Shi and Mr He

Do you enjoy that pickled radish in your favorite Japanese or Korean restaurant? I bet you will be surprised by how easy it is to make authentic Korean pickled radish at home! With this recipe, everyone will be able to make these golden yellow, healthy, crunchy, and refreshing radish pickles within 45 minutes! Ready to make some yummy kimbap with your homemade danmuji? See my next recipe blog!

4.75 from 4 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Salt Marinating Resting Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Course Side Dish, Snack

Cuisine Japanese, Korean

Servings 12

Calories 20 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Small saucepan

  • 2 food storage containers with lids

Ingredients

  • 1 Large Daikonradish about 600g
  • tbsp Salt (1 tbsp for marinating the radish, ½ tbsp for the broth)
  • ½ tsp Turmeric powder
  • ½ cup Sugar
  • cup Water
  • 1 cup Rice vinegar

Instructions

  • A large daikon radish, peel off its skin. Cut the radish crosswise into the length of your container.

  • Cut the radish lengthwise into ½-inch wide strips.

  • The radish can also be sliced into half-moon shape thin slices.

  • Put sliced radish into a large bowl, sprinkle 1 tbsp of salt over the radish. Rub the salt evenly on radish. Set aside to marinate for 30 minutes.

  • In a small saucepan, add turmeric powder, sugar, salt, and water. Bring to a boil. Stir until all the sugar has dissolved. Turn off the heat. Add rice vinegar to the saucepan. Set aside.

  • After the radish strips and slices have been marinated for 30 minutes, drain, rinse with potable water, squeeze out excess water, put radish strips and slices in clean containers.

  • Pour the turmeric vinegar mixture over the radish.

  • Let it cool down, cover the lid and keep in the fridge overnight before using.

  • Homemade picked radish can last in the fridge for up to 1 month.

Video

Keyword Daikon Radish, danmuji, pickled radish, radish, Vegan

Korean Pickled Radish (Danmuji) Recipe (25)

Korean Pickled Radish (Danmuji) Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why are Korean pickled radishes yellow? ›

These quick Korean pickles are flavored with rice vinegar, garlic, turmeric, bay leaves, and black peppercorns. The turmeric is the key ingredient for getting that bright yellow color.

What is the difference between takuan and danmuji? ›

Most often takuan is eaten as a snack or as one of many side dishes eaten alongside a main meal. It is also found in sushi rolls like oshinko-maki which is sushi rice rolled with takuan and wrapped with seaweed. In Korean, it's called danmuji and is a necessary ingredient for making kimbap (Korean sushi rolls).

Is Korean pickled radish healthy? ›

According to an article(by Chelsea Debret) on onegreenplanet.org, pickled radish has “wonderful health benefits” on improving digestive system health, managing healthy weight, reducing inflammation, boosting immune system, and fighting against depression and anxiety.

Why do Koreans eat pickled radish with chicken? ›

Chicken mu is Korean pickled radish that is specifically for pairing with Korean fried chicken, but it is also a great side dish for pretty much anything. It's sweet, tangy, crunchy, and totally necessary with Korean fried chicken in my opinion!

Is daikon and Korean radish the same thing? ›

In fact, the Korean radish is shorter and rounder than the daikon, it has a green neck, its texture is denser and its taste is slightly more pronounced than that of the daikon which has a relatively mild flavour.

Is it okay to eat pickled radish everyday? ›

They are just as nutritious as fresh vegetables. That being said, it is worth noting that the pickling process does use a lot of salt and sugar. It is important to keep this in mind and, just like everything else, eat pickled radishes in moderation.

What do Koreans eat with pickled radish? ›

Pickled radish, called chikin-mu (치킨무, "chicken radish") in Korean, is a radish dish served and eaten with Korean fried chicken.

Does Korean pickled radish need to be refrigerated? ›

Transfer pickles with the brine and spices to an airtight glass container. Keep at room temperature overnight and then refrigerate. Danmuji should keep refrigerated for about 3 to 4 weeks.

What is danmuji in English? ›

Danmuji (yellow pickled radish) is a very important ingredient for gimbap; I never make gimbap without it! It tastes sweet and sour and has a really nice, crispy texture. Look for it in the refrigerated section of Korean and Japanese grocery stores.

Is danmuji Korean or Japanese? ›

In Korea. Takuan is called danmuji (단무지) in Korea. Danmuji is a common banchan (side dish) served with bunsik (light meal or snack), as well as with Korean Chinese dishes.

What is a substitute for danmuji in kimbap? ›

These kimbap will also incorporate pickled (uncooked) vegetables, including, yellow pickled daikon radish or danmuji (단무지), for which you can substitute white pickled daikon radish (though you'll miss out on the yellow part of the rainbow) or bread pickles (which has a similar flavor and texture profile); and.

Why do Asians eat pickled radishes? ›

Danmuji is pickled daikon radish, and is a key ingredient in kimbap as well as a garnish to a variety of dishes, including Korean porridge. With a unique tangy flavor, pickled daikon radish adds complexity, texture, and a nutritional boost to any meal.

Is too much pickled radish bad for you? ›

Depending on how pickled beets are made, some varieties of pickled radishes can contain a lot of table salt and added sugars. Research links excess sugar and salt intake to poor health and an increased risk of conditions like heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

Why do Koreans eat so much pickled food? ›

As a result of the geographical constraints, the ancient Koreans had to find a way to make delicious banchan and meals with these ingredients. For this reason, fermented foods of Korea, such as kimchi and jang, are developed as condiments to make banchans tasty, rather than relying solely on dishes.

Is yellow pickled radish Korean or Japanese? ›

Pickled radish
Alternative namesChikin-mu (chicken radish)
Place of originSouth Korea
Associated cuisineKorean cuisine
Main ingredientsRadish
Ingredients generally usedVinegar, sugar, salt
4 more rows

What is the difference between radishes and Korean radishes? ›

Red radishes are peppery whereas the white radish is mild and slightly sweet. There is also mu, which is the Korean radish. The Korean radish is a type of daikon radish. It's similar to the long white Japanese radish, but it's shaped more like a potato.

What is a substitute for Korean pickled radishes? ›

One of the best substitutes for Korean radish is daikon (大根) also known as Japanese radish, Oriental radish and Mooli. Daikon is your best choice if you're trying to find a replacement to use to make kimchi.

What is Korean pickled radish made of? ›

Combine sugar, vinegar, kosher salt, and water in a large bowl and mix well until salt and sugar are well dissolved. Add the radish and stir a few times and transfer to an airtight container or a glass jar. Keep in the refrigerator at least 2 hours before serving. Refrigerate up to 2 weeks.

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