In this article, we'll answer your questions about seaweed salad. Read on to discover what it tastes like, what sort of textures to expect, and how to make it right in your very own kitchen.
Let's get started...
What Does Seaweed Salad Taste Like?
If you know what seaweed tastes like, you know one of the key flavors in this salad. However, the salty ocean taste of seaweed isn't the only bold characteristic it has going for it.
Seaweed salad tends to be balanced with sweet, tangy, roasty and toasty flavors. These come from sugar, vinegar, toasted sesame seeds and often a dash of sesame oil.
You should know that a couple of things to be on the lookout for are honey and dashi. Dashi is a Japanese stock made with bonito fish flakes, so it's definitely not vegan.
But don't feel like seaweed salad is off the menu. Many places, including grocery stores with salad bars, don't use honey or dashi. Just make sure you ask first.
Seaweed Salad Texture
Seaweed is a slippery, tender, yet firm substance, so seaweed salad has all of these qualities. You'll also notice a substantial chewiness, perhaps even a little crunchiness.
Some seaweed salads are doused in marinading ingredients, which will make them soupier. However, plenty of seaweed salads are on the somewhat dry side.
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What Seaweed Is Used in Seaweed Salad?
If you're thinking of the spring green-colored seaweed salads with strands the width of angel hair pasta, you're thinking of hiyashi wakame, which is most often used in Japanese salads.
Miyeok muchim, a Korean seaweed salad, is made with thicker, darker seaweed like kelp. It's not too dissimilar to the Japanese version, but it may have a stronger sea flavor.
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How Long Does Seaweed Salad Stay Good?
Whether you make your own or bring some home from Whole Foods, seaweed salad will keep in your refrigerator for a few days. It's best when eaten sooner rather than later for optimal texture.
It'll stay good even longer if you freeze it. The taste and texture will be exactly the same when it thaws, as long as you've kept it sealed tightly to avoid freezer burn.
Seaweed Salad Recipe Tips
No need to wait to go to a restaurant for seaweed salad. The beauty of this dish is that you get a huge reward for little effort as it tastes amazing and takes barely any time at all to make.
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This video will teach you the basics of seaweed salad.
Here are the ingredients:
- Wakame
- Vinegar
- Soy sauce
- Garlic
- Sugar
- Korean radish
- Cucumber
- Onion
- Salt
- Sesame seeds
Further Reading: What Does Seaweed Taste Like?
Here's a seaweed salad with a different take: a chili and lime dressing.
You'll need:
- Cucumbers
- Carrots
- Green onions
- Red onion
- Seaweed
- Ginger
- Lime
- Cilantro
- Sweet chili sauce
- Toasted sesame oil
- Sesame seeds
- Salt
Wrap Up
There are different types of seaweed salad, but they're all generally salty, briny, sweet and tangy with well-developed umami flavor. Homemade seaweed salad is even better than what you'd get out, and it takes very little time to prepare. Start experimenting with different ingredients like chili sauce and citrus to pair with all kinds of dinner menus.
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Hey, I’m Joey. I’ve been cooking since I was a little kid and love everything about it. You can find my writing about food, kitchen appliances (such as blenders) and much more. Thanks for stopping by!
