Sesame Latch · Starters

Banchan Trio: Spinach, Cucumber & Radish

Name: Banchan Trio: Spinach, Cucumber & Radish
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 200 g Baby spinach; 3 clove Garlic; 2 tsp Toasted sesame oil; 2 tsp Soy sauce; 2 tsp Sesame seeds; 1 whole Cucumber; 1 tsp Gochugaru; 2 tbsp Rice vinegar; 2 tsp Granulated sugar; 1 tsp Salt; 200 g Daikon radish; 2 whole Green onions

Three small plates for the centre of the table: sesame-dressed spinach, cold spicy cucumber and a quick sweet-sour radish. Make them ahead and set them out before anything from the grill.

30 minutes · Easy · 4 servings

Original house recipe · Not yet kitchen-tested

Ingredients

Baby spinach200 g
Garlic3 clove
Toasted sesame oil2 tsp
Soy sauce2 tsp
Sesame seeds2 tsp
Cucumber1 whole
Gochugaru1 tsp
Rice vinegar2 tbsp
Granulated sugar2 tsp
Salt1 tsp
Daikon radish200 g
Green onions2 whole

Quantities describe recipe usage, not package sizes.

Allergen notes

Soy (soy sauce), wheat (many soy sauces) and sesame (sesame oil and seeds).

Method

Blanch the spinach

Bring a small pot of water to a boil. Add the spinach and cook for 30–45 seconds, until just wilted. Drain, rinse under cold water and squeeze out as much water as you can. Chop it roughly.

Season the spinach

Toss the spinach with 1 grated garlic clove, 1 tsp sesame oil, 1 tsp soy sauce and 1 tsp sesame seeds. Taste and add a pinch of the salt if it needs it.

Smash the cucumber

Cut the cucumber into 4 cm lengths and press each piece with the side of a knife until it cracks, then tear into bite-sized chunks. Toss with 0.5 tsp salt and leave for 10 minutes. Drain the liquid. Stir in 1 grated garlic clove, the gochugaru, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tsp sugar, 1 tsp sesame oil and the sliced green onions.

Quick-pickle the radish

Peel the daikon and cut it into thin matchsticks. Toss with the remaining 0.5 tsp salt, remaining 1 tsp sugar, remaining 1 tbsp rice vinegar and the last grated garlic clove. Leave for 10 minutes, until it tastes bright and lightly crunchy.

Serve the trio

Spoon each banchan into its own small bowl. Finish the spinach and cucumber with the remaining sesame seeds. Serve cool or at room temperature.

These keep covered in the fridge for 2 days. The cucumber softens as it sits, so make it the day you serve it if you want a real crunch.

AI-generated food image. Presentation is illustrative. This menu belongs to an imagined restaurant.