Sigeumchi namul — sesame spinach
Blanched spinach lightly seasoned with garlic and toasted sesame oil.
Ingredients
How to cook
- Remove soil around the roots and wash the spinach thoroughly.
- Add 1 g salt to boiling water. Add the stems first, then blanch the spinach for 30–40 seconds.
- Rinse in cold water, squeeze out excess moisture and cut into manageable lengths.
- Gently toss with the remaining salt, soup soy sauce, garlic, sesame oil and sesame seeds.
KOREAN KITCHEN · LOCAL OPTIONS
Local ingredient swaps
Use these options when the original ingredient is unavailable. Flavor and texture will change; these swaps have not been tested in our kitchen.
| Korean ingredient | Local option | How to use it | What changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guk-ganjang (soup soy sauce) | Regular unsweetened soy sauce | Start with half the listed volume, then taste the cooked broth and adjust. | The broth becomes darker; this is a seasoning adjustment, not an identical substitute. |
| Toasted sesame oil | A bottle labelled toasted sesame oil | Use the listed volume; use a separate neutral oil where the recipe calls for cooking oil. | Untoasted sesame oil and neutral oils do not give the same finishing aroma. |
Ingredients and allergies
Check product labels: soy sauce can contain wheat, kimchi and fish cakes can contain seafood, and miso or tofu contains soy. Ingredient swaps do not automatically make a dish gluten-free, vegetarian or allergy-safe.
Sources and scope
Use these options when the original ingredient is unavailable. Flavor and texture will change; these swaps have not been tested in our kitchen.
Your shopping checklist
Quantities are for the original recipe and its listed servings. Swaps are optional: use the table above to adjust, and do not buy both choices unless needed. Check what you already have.
Look in the produce and refrigerated aisles first; check an Asian grocery or online seller for Korean specialty ingredients. This is a shopping guide, not a live stock or delivery check.
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Explore more
Ingredient guides →Banchan · Nutrition and its role in meals
Spinach namul →Kitchen guides
Korean soup soy sauce substitute guide →
Toasted sesame oil substitute guide →