Easy Korean Spinach Side Dish (Sigeumchi-namul) (VIDEO)
Feb 07, 2022, Updated Mar 31, 2024
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This Korean Spinach Side Dish (Sigeumchi-namul) is a delicious and easy way to incorporate more vegetables into our meals! It’s super quick, so easy to make, and goes great with all of our favorite Asian meals!
Watch the Recipe Video For Korean Spinach Side Dish below!
Table of Contents
One of my favorite things about Korean cuisine is the plethora of ban-chan (side dishes) – everyone has their favorite, and every family has their own recipes. I love how Korean cuisine incorporates so many vegetables – Korean Bean Sprout Salad and Korean Spinach Side Dish are two of my favorites! Of course, the first side dish that runs out first is always Korean Braised Potatoes! My (Korean) wife’s favorites are Korean Stir Fried Fish Cakes and Korean Egg Roll – she has so many fond memories of having these packed for her lunch at school!
If you want a spicy version, make my Spicy Korean Spinach Side Dish instead!
Ingredients for Korean Spinach Side Dish
Korean Spinach Side Dish goes with just about everything and can be made with 7 ingredients, most of which are pantry staples –
- 10 oz fresh spinach – I recommend using regular spinach (not baby spinach) – baby spinach are too small and can get mushy when used for this recipe.
- 2 tsp soy sauce – You want to use light soy sauce or all-purpose soy sauce; do NOT use dark soy sauce, as it is too sweet and thick for this recipe.
- 1 tsp sesame seeds – This is for added texture; if you don’t have it, you can omit it.
- 1 scallion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp sesame oil – The nuttiness of the sesame oil really complements the soy sauce and gochujang flavors!
- salt and pepper, to taste
Recipe Instructions: Korean Spinach Side Dish
1. Blanch the Spinach
Wash and trim your spinach and blanch in salted boiling water for 30 seconds.
2. Shock the Spinach In Ice Water and Drain
Transfer immediately to a bowl of ice water to shock and stop the cooking process. Once cooled, squeeze and drain out as much water as possible from the spinach, then cut the spinach a few times to bite size pieces.
3. Marinate The Spinach
In a large bowl, add spinach with chopped scallion, soy sauce, minced garlic, sugar, sesame oil, sesame seeds, and salt and pepper to taste. Mix thoroughly until completely combined. Let marinate for 10-15 minutes and enjoy!
PRO TIPS
Expert Tips for Korean Spinach Side Dish
Spinach Tips
- Start with fresh spinach. Look for vibrant green leaves without wilting or yellowing. The freshness of the spinach will significantly impact the dish’s taste and texture.
- Rinse the spinach leaves thoroughly under cold running water. Pay extra attention to rinsing away any dirt or sand from the leaves, especially around the stems.
- Trim the tough stems from the spinach leaves, leaving only the tender leaves. This not only improves the texture but also ensures even cooking during blanching.
Blanching and Ice Bath
- When blanching the spinach, make sure your water is vigorously boiling. Submerge the spinach for only about 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until it wilts. Overcooking can result in a mushy texture.
- Immediately transfer the blanched spinach to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. This helps preserve the vibrant green color and prevents overcooking.
Squeeze Your Spinach
- Squeezing your spinach to drain as much water as possible is the most important step! If you skip this part, you will end up with a very watery Korean Spinach Side Dish – well drained spinach means it can absorb the delicious flavors of the marinade better. Squeeze out as much excess water using your hands (you’ll be surprised how much comes out) but be gentle to avoid damaging the leaves.
Alternative Vegetables
If you can’t find spinach or want to try a different vegetable, try making Korean Spinach Side Dish with these vegetables:
- Baby bok choy
- Arugula
- Kale
Storage Tips
Store your Korean Spinach Side Dish in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. This dish is usually eaten cold.
What to Eat with Korean Spinach Side Dish
If you are looking for a main dish to pair with Korean Spinach Side Dish, I would make my famous Korean Short Ribs (LA Galbi), Beef Bulgogi, or Spicy Pork Bulgogi! If you would rather eat a vegetarian option, you have to try my Korean Braised Tofu – it’s so flavorful, you won’t miss meat!
Korean Spinach Side Dish (Sigeumchi-namul)
Ingredients
- 10 oz spinach, approximately 1 bunch, washed and trimmed
- 2 tsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp sesame seeds
- 1 scallion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp sesame oil
- salt & pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Wash and trim your spinach and blanch in salted boiling water for 30 seconds.
- Transfer immediately to a bowl of ice water to shock and stop the cooking process. Once cooled, squeeze and drain out as much water as possible from the spinach, then cut the spinach a few times to bite size pieces.
- In a large bowl, add spinach with chopped scallion, soy sauce, minced garlic, sugar, sesame oil, sesame seeds, and salt and pepper to taste. Mix thoroughly until completely combined. Let marinate for 10-15 minutes and enjoy!
Notes
-
- Start with fresh spinach. Look for vibrant green leaves without wilting or yellowing. The freshness of the spinach will significantly impact the dish’s taste and texture.
-
- Rinse the spinach leaves thoroughly under cold running water. Pay extra attention to rinsing away any dirt or sand from the leaves, especially around the stems.
-
- Trim the tough stems from the spinach leaves, leaving only the tender leaves. This not only improves the texture but also ensures even cooking during blanching.
Storage Tips
Store your Korean Spinach Side Dish in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. This dish is usually eaten cold.Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This was such a simple but yummy dish. I had some extra spinach and decided to give it a try and now I am finding excuses to eat my greens and make this delicious side dish to go with my food.