I was at a Korean restaurant recently, and they served a seaweed salad that was so appetizing I wanted to make it myself. And it is SUPER EASY. You basically soak the seaweed, drain it, and pour chilli sauce over it. But don’t worry, I’m not going to just leave it at that!
Seaweed is not for everyone, but I spent some time growing up in Korea so I learned to love it from a young age.
I’ve always known that seaweed helps with weight loss as it boosts metabolism. It’s also full of vitamins so it’s great for the skin! Maybe that’s why the Koreans and Japanese are so thin because they eat so much seaweed. I realize diet definitely plays a huge role when I see Asians in general are quite small sized while there are huge obesity problems here and in the States. I like to see evidence of the research though, and found out that not all seaweed have anti-obesity properties. Only those that are brown and part of the kelp family contain these properties. And Wakame is a type of brown kelp. You can find the research article here. But of course, exercise and diet are very important for weight loss and you can’t just rely on eating kilos of seaweed. It’s also very important what type of exercise you do, but I’m veering off into another topic here (what can I say, I’m a physio!).
Now on to the cooking!
Ingredients
Dried Wakame seaweed
Small piece of carrot, sliced very thinly
Chilli Sauce:
1 tbsp Korean chilli paste (Gochujang)
1 tsp Korean chilli powder (Gochugaru)
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp sugar or honey
1 tsp garlic granules (you can use finely minced garlic, I just didn’t have garlic at the time)
1 tsp white wine vinegar (rice vinegar might be better if you have it)
1 tsp sesame oil
1 tbsp warm water (or more if you want it runnier)
Method
- Soak the dried seaweed in warm water until soften. Make sure the water is not too hot or the seaweed will become very soft and slightly soggy. It only takes about 15 minutes or less. This is what it looks like dried.
Dried Wakame Seaweed
This is what it looks like when it has expanded. Rinse it in cold water and put aside.
Wakame Seaweed
- Mix all ingredients for the chilli sauce in a bowl.
Chilli Sauce
- Snip pieces of the seaweed (some can be quite long) into a bowl. Put the carrot slices on top. Drizzle the chilli sauce over it and mix well. I didn’t mix it for photo purposes or you can’t really see the chilli sauce.
Wakame Seaweed Salad
It was very similar to what I had at the restaurant (if not better *grin*). So simple, so easy, so healthy, so delicious.
i’m not familiar with the different kinds seaweeds but thanks for the info. The one that i usually buy is from china if i’m not wrong and i only use that to make soup.So now i know the brown seaweed will help to lose weight, will keep that in mind! haha! THe salad looks appetising and healthy too!
My mom makes a lot of soup with seaweed too. And I love it, it tastes so good. Especially in miso soup! :D I’ll check your blog to see how you make your seaweed soup.
Home made is always better *grin back*. I used to be able to eat seaweed, but as I grew older I think my tastebuds changed and I started not liking the taste of it. The only seaweed I can eat now are the snack ones. Those flat individually rectangular packaged ones that are like seaweed chips. My kids love seaweed though (thank God). This dish does look delicious and yummy. The chili just might be enough to cover up the “sea” taste for me. Glad you included pictures. That always helps the reader, well, me at least. Hope you’re having a great weekend!
Looove the snack seaweed. The best I’ve found is Tao Kae Noi, which comes in different flavours like Hot & Spicy, Tom Yum Goong and Original (slightly salt-ish). I know they have it in Canada too because a friend sent over some. And I eventually found them at an online chinese supermarket here. Crispy seaweed – I can finish a whole bag in one sitting! Actually, I just did that today haha.
I totally get what you mean by “sea” taste. I call it “fishy” thought yours is a better description haha. The chilli paste covers that up completely so you don’t taste that. Hope you have a great weekend too! :D
I’ll have to look for that brand here. Thanks for sharing that. I’ve only ever had the salty kind.
Yes, fishy was the word I was looking for, but couldn’t remember it. Ironic though because I love seafood but cannot stand anything too fishy tasting.
I know what you mean, too fishy is never good. If you love snacky seaweed, you’ll definitely love that. I was so ecstatic when I found out about it :)
I always order seaweed salad with my sushi, but have never tried to make it myself. I’m all for food that helps with weight loss! :)
Haha me too ;)
I love seaweeds. I am afraid of fishy taste but strange I don’t get that from seaweeds. I know it is weird but it is true:D Nice clicks!
Thanks! It’s great you don’t get it from seaweed so you can pretty much eat it with anything haha :D
I love seaweeds, any shape and way…love the side dishes, so tasty…by the way Sharon great pictures :-)
Thanks Juliana :).
Wow that looks so good, I really enjoy seaweed but have never had it in a salad…cool!
Thanks! :) The chilli makes it good haha.
I didn’t know there was so many positive sides sea weed…i have just couple of time in my Chinese friends house, haven’t really enjoyed it so well….but salad looks vibrant!
Depends on how it’s made as well, because I don’t like that fishy taste either. So the chilli sauce was great for covering that up :D