Korean Spinach Side Dish (Sigeumchi Namul) Recipe
Sigeumchi Namul is a classic Korean spinach side dish that features blanched spinach seasoned with garlic, green onion, soy sauce, and toasted sesame oil and seeds. It is a simple, light, and flavorful vegetable side perfect for balancing heavier mains or serving as part of a Korean banchan spread.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Blanching
- Cuisine: Korean
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 1 bunch (10 oz) spinach, ends trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
- 1 stalk green onion, chopped
Seasonings
- 1 clove garlic, finely minced
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce
- 1/8 teaspoon salt (plus a pinch for blanching water)
- 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Trim the spinach. Place the spinach on a cutting board, trim the tough ends, and slice the leaves and stems into approximately 2-inch lengths for easier eating and mixing.
- Blanch the spinach. Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil and add a pinch of salt. Add the prepared spinach to the boiling water and blanch for about 30 seconds, just until wilted but still bright green.
- Cool in an ice bath. Immediately transfer the spinach to an ice water bath to halt the cooking and preserve vibrant color. Once cooled, gently squeeze out any excess water without bruising the leaves.
- Mix the seasoning. In a mixing bowl, combine the blanched spinach with finely minced garlic, chopped green onion, soy sauce, salt, toasted sesame oil, and toasted sesame seeds. Toss gently but thoroughly until everything is evenly incorporated.
- Serve. Transfer the seasoned spinach to a serving dish and enjoy it as a refreshing and healthy side dish alongside Korean meals or other dishes.
Notes
- Be sure not to overcook the spinach during blanching to retain its vibrant green color and fresh texture.
- Adjust soy sauce and salt to taste, especially if using low-sodium soy sauce.
- Can be served cold or at room temperature.
- This dish is naturally vegetarian, gluten-free, and low calorie.
- Use fresh toasted sesame seeds and sesame oil for the best flavor impact.
Keywords: Korean spinach side dish, Sigeumchi Namul, Korean banchan, blanched spinach, sesame spinach salad
