Several Korean radish substitutes can help you mimic the original taste and add crunch and flavor to salads and pickled veggies.
Korean cuisine uses this type of radish for its taste, texture, and health advantages. Unfortunately, finding Korean radishes in the grocery store or market can be difficult.
In such cases, what can replace Korean radish?
I’ll discuss the finest Korean radish alternatives and how to use them in cooking!
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What is Korean radish?
“Mu” (Korean radish) is a root vegetable used extensively in Korean cuisine. It has thin, light brown skin and white, cylindrical flesh and is rather huge.
Pickled foods, stews, soups, and salads often use Korean radish due to its crisp texture and somewhat sweet and peppery flavor.
Because of its high fiber content, Korean radish is commonly used as a natural digestive aid in Korean cuisine. As a bonus, it provides a wealth of vitamins and minerals, including the antioxidant vitamin C.
7 Best Korean radish substitutes
Some common ingredients to use instead of Korean radish are:
- Daikon radish
White radish, Japanese radish, and Chinese radish are all other names for the same vegetable – daikon. It has a somewhat sweeter flavor than Korean radish but the same general consistency.
Thanks to its sweetness and mild flavor, daikon radish is a great alternative.
Daikon radish flavor is used in the following Korean dishes:
Kimchi: You can use daikon radish instead of Korean radish to make kimchi, which is a staple Korean side dish.
Moo Radish Soup: Daikon radish can be used in place of Korean radish in this delicious soup.
Radish Salad: To produce a crisp and delicious radish salad, daikon can stand in for Korean radish.
Are you looking for some daikon radish substitutes? There are plenty of delicious vegetables to try as a daikon alternative!
- Turnips
Turnips are a white root vegetable that is another great substitute for Korean radish. They taste somewhat sweet and have a consistency not dissimilar to that of Korean radishes.
It’s possible to obtain white turnips in most supermarkets, and they’re a common ingredient in traditional Korean cuisine.
Several recipes that feature turnips are provided below:
Kkakdugi: Cubed radish kimchi. You can use turnips instead of Korean radishes to make this spicy, crunchy side dish.
Radish Soup: You can use turnips instead of Korean radish to make this comforting soup. I really loved making it with sour cream, turnips, dill pickles and carrots.
Are you out of turnips too? No problem? These turnip alternatives can produce the same delicious results!
- Jicama
A root vegetable with a somewhat sweet and nutty taste, jicama is popular throughout Mexico.
It can be used in place of Korean radish in many recipes because of its comparable flavor and texture.
If you’re seeking a distinctive alternative to Korean radish, jicama is worth a try despite its limited availability in western countries.
You can use jicama in Korean dishes in a variety of ways, and some of those ways are listed here:
Mu Namul: This is a Korean side dish made with seasoned radish. You can use jicama instead of Korean radish to make this one.
Radish Kimchi: Jicama can be used in place of Korean radish to create spicy kimchi – both unique and tasty. This idea is also perfect for other vegetables similar to jicama.
Radish Salad: Jicama may be substituted for Korean radish in a radish salad for a similar crunchy and tasty result. For some reason, the mix of jicama, mango, bell pepper, and red onion really clicked with me.
- Carrots
Korean radish can be substituted with carrots. They’re fantastic in salads and pickles since they’re crisp and sweet. Slice or julienne carrots to substitute in your favorite Korean radish recipes:
Mu Saengchae: Korean side dish with julienned radish, vinegar, sugar, and chili flakes. Instead of radishes, use julienned carrots.
Pickled Carrots: Spicy pickles made with carrots are a fantastic snack or side dish similar to radish.
Carrot kimchi: Shredded carrots create an excellent alternative to Korean radish kimchi. You can also combine them with daikon radish for the best results.
- Cabbage
Cabbage can replace Korean radish in soups and stews. It provides taste and texture but lacks Korean radish’s crispness. So the best idea would be to use the cabbage heart for a similar consistency.
Kimchi Jjigae: A spicy stew with Korean radish and kimchi. The radish can be substituted with shredded cabbage.
Doenjang Jjigae: Korean radish and soybean paste stew. Korean radish can be substituted with shredded cabbage.
Cabbage Kimchi: Use shredded cabbage leaves instead of Korean radish to produce tasty and refreshing cabbage kimchi.
- Green papaya
Unripe green papaya can replace Korean radish in several pickled meals. It provides a similar taste and crunchy textures in some Korean radish recipes:
Baechu Kimchi: The most popular napa cabbage kimchi. Korean radish can be substituted with shredded green papaya.
Dongchimi: Radish, cucumber, and other ingredients make this watery kimchi. Shredded green papaya can replace radish in this dish.
Pickled green papaya: Just like Korean radish pickles, green papaya makes a fantastic snack or side dish.
- Celery
Korean radish can be substituted with crisp celery. Its somewhat sweet taste and crisp texture make it a good option for crunchy foods. Korean meals that substitute celery for Korean radish:
Bibim Guksu: Korean cold noodle soup with radish. I’ve tried using celery instead of Korean radish and the results were mouth-wateringly good!
Kimbap: This Korean rice roll, often contains Korean radish. You can try adding celery instead – it’ll add a crispy texture and earthy taste.
Korean radish substitute FAQs
Regular radish has a different flavor profile than Korean radish. Still, it can be used as a substitute in some dishes. Regular radishes have a slightly bitter and peppery taste, so they can add a nice kick to salads and pickled dishes.
First, wash the Korean radish and wipe it dry with a paper towel or cloth. Then it can be refrigerated in a plastic bag or airtight container.
Some common types of radish include black radish, pink radish, watermelon radish, daikon radish, and French breakfast radish.
Jicama is the perfect substitute for Korean radish in a spicy radish salad. You can also use turnips and Daikon radishes.
BOTTOM LINE: if you can’t locate Korean radish, there are several good options, like daikon, turnips, and jicama. Try a substitute for radish on your next visit to the grocery store and experiment with Korean cooking!
Did you like these substitutes for Korean radish? Share your favorite vegetables in the comments!
Are you looking for alternatives to Asian ingredients? Learn how to replace Chinese broccoli and substitute for bok choy in your favorite dishes!