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

How long does homemade danmuji last? ›

Press a paper towel directly against the surface of the brine and let cool to room temperature, 1 to 2 hours. Transfer pickles and brine to an airtight glass container and store in the refrigerator. (The turmeric will stain a plastic container yellow.) Pickles will last about 1 month.

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.

What to pair danmuji with? ›

Danmuji is an essential ingredient in Gimbap (Korean rice roll wrapped in seaweed sheet). It is usually served as Banchan with noodle dishes like Jjajangmyeon (noodles with black beans) or meat dishes. The fresh, cool, crunchy and sharp vinegary flavor helps cut through the taste of fatty food in particular.

Can danmuji go bad? ›

It's easy to recognize because of its bright yellow color. Stored in its pickling liquid, it will keep in the refrigerator for a few months.

Can pickled radish go bad? ›

They can become soft and soggy, with a more dull taste. Homemade pickled radishes last up to six months in the refrigerator, but are best enjoyed within three months. Store-bought pickled radishes might have a similar lifespan, but it's best to consult the label on the jar for storage guidelines.

Is Korean pickled radish healthy? ›

The root is rich in Vitamin C, as well as a great source of calcium, magnesium and potassium. Already loaded with nutritional benefits from the daikon radish, danmuji also contains gut-friendly probiotics from the fermentation process.

How do you keep Korean pickled radishes fresh? ›

Takuan (or Danmuji in Korean) — the yellow pickled daikon you mention — is generally prepared to be stored at the room temperature, so it should only be put in the fridge once opened, to protect it from the airborne bacteria: it's traditionally stored right in the pickling crock it was prepared in, in its own brine, ...

Why do Koreans eat pickled radish with chicken? ›

The white, square, crunchy food commonly served as a side with Korean fried chicken is called "pickled radish" or "danmuji" in Korean. It's a type of yellow pickled radish that's slightly sweet and tangy, providing a contrast to the savory and spicy flavors of the fried chicken.

What should not be eaten with radish? ›

  1. Dec 6, 2023, 08:52 PM IST. 5 Foods You Must Never Pair With Radish. ...
  2. Radish and Milk. ...
  3. Radish and Cucumber. ...
  4. Radish and Oranges. ...
  5. Radish and Bitter Gourd. ...
  6. Radish and Tea.
Dec 6, 2023

Does Danmuji need to be refrigerated? ›

Serve immediately or put it in the fridge to serve later cold! Leftovers can be stored in the fridge and are good for one week.

What does Danmuji taste like? ›

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

What is another name for a Korean radish? ›

Mu or Korean radish is a variety of white radish with a firm crunchy texture. Although mu (무) is also a generic term for radishes in Korean, the word is usually used in its narrow sense, referring to the white radish, or more specifically Korean radish (조선무, Joseon-mu).

Why is Japanese pickled radish yellow? ›

It's left to pickle for about a month. Some have a more pale cream color due to a shorter fermentation period. The bright yellow hue of traditionally made takuan is from turmeric, gardenia fruit, or safflower. Mass-produced versions include food coloring to achieve the same bright yellow effect.

How can you tell if Korean radishes are good? ›

A good Korean radish is firm and heavy, has luminous skin with no lines. The top of the radish should be a pale green colour. To store it, you must wrap it in plastic. If you eat it raw, use it within two or three days.

How long do homemade pickled foods last? ›

"As long as the pickles are kept cold, they can last upwards of 75 days unopened in the fridge," Andre shares. Once opened, any pickles should be stored in the fridge, submerged in brine, to maintain freshness for at least up to three months, according to the USDA.

How long can you keep dongchimi? ›

In Korea dongchimi is usually made just before winter starts, when radish is in peak season and it's firm, crispy, and sweet. But these days you can make it all year round. Keep it in the fridge for 2 to 3 weeks, and when it runs out, make some more.

How long do homemade Japanese pickles last? ›

These will keep at least two weeks in the fridge, though in my house they never last that long. Don't forget to use a clean utensil when scooping it out-no fingers! Japanese Pickles are excellent on grain bowls, or alongside Short Rib BBQ, Miso Salmon, or just with a bowl of steamed rice.

How long does homemade pickled radish last in fridge? ›

Pickled radishes will keep in the refrigerator for up to six months but are best if eaten within three months. They are still safe to eat after three months, but they will start to lose some crunchiness and the flavor will be less intense and bright.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Cheryll Lueilwitz

Last Updated:

Views: 6487

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (54 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Cheryll Lueilwitz

Birthday: 1997-12-23

Address: 4653 O'Kon Hill, Lake Juanstad, AR 65469

Phone: +494124489301

Job: Marketing Representative

Hobby: Reading, Ice skating, Foraging, BASE jumping, Hiking, Skateboarding, Kayaking

Introduction: My name is Cheryll Lueilwitz, I am a sparkling, clean, super, lucky, joyous, outstanding, lucky person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.