Name: Spinach & Chive Fresh Kimchi (Geotjeori 겉절이)
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Korean
Ingredients: 1 lb fresh spinach; 1 cup chives (cut into 2” pieces); ½ cup shredded carrots; 1 ½ tsp sesame seeds; 1 tsp Dasida beef powder soup stock; 2 Tbsp soy sauce; 1 tsp white vinegar; 1 tsp sugar; 2 Tbsp Korean red chili pepper powder (gochugaru); 1 tsp fish sauce; ½ tsp salted/brined shrimp; 1 tsp garlic, minced; ¼ tsp ground black pepper

This side dish is a quick, easy, and salad-like Korean spinach and chive fresh kimchi (geotjeori). Geotjeori means it is a fresh kimchi meant to be eaten immediately and without fermentation.

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This salad-like fresh kimchi is great to have when you want something familiar to kimchi but don’t want to wait for fermentation or don’t have the time to make actual kimchi. Plus, using spinach and chives gives you a different vegetable added into your diet if you are used to always having napa cabbage style kimchi.

Key features and tips

Geotjeori is meant to be eaten fresh. This recipe is not meant to be fermented like traditional kimchi. Some geotjeori can be stored in the fridge and eaten over the course of a couple of days. However, this particular salad-like kimchi really should be eaten immediately since spinach is so delicate. If leftovers were stored in the fridge overnight of this particular recipe, it will probably turn soggy and mushy. So we highly recommend making this and then eating it immediately. Also, just make enough servings of it so you don’t have any leftovers. It’s so easy to whip up more of this salad-like spinach and chive kimchi if you need more.

By www.aziatische-ingredienten.nl, CC BY-SA 2.0, Link

Garlic chives (buchu) can typically be found in your local Asian grocery market. You may also be able to find these chives at your farmers’ market or a well-stocked grocery store. My mom grows these chives in her garden, so she always has some on hand during the growing season. They’re so easy to grow yourself too! Here is a link to some seeds we found online

If you can’t find garlic chives (buchu), this will still be delicious without it. Garlic chives may not be easy to find everywhere at all times of the year. If you can’t find garlic chives, then I’d suggest substituting it out with additional spinach.

What ingredients are needed to make this salad-like Korean spinach & chive fresh kimchi?

Fresh spinach
Garlic chives (buchu)
Shredded carrots
Sesame seeds

For the dressing:

Dasida beef powder soup stock
Soy sauce
White vinegar
Sugar
Korean red chili pepper powder (gochugaru)
Fish sauce
Salted/brined shrimp
Garlic
Ground black pepper

Let’s make this healthy side dish

Step 1: Make the dressing

Mix all the ingredients for the dressing together in a small bowl. Set aside.

Step 2: Prep the spinach and chives

Cut the spinach into bite-sized pieces and the chives. Or if you bought the spinach pre-prepped in a bag you can just use the spinach as is. Place spinach and chives into a large enough bowl to contain it.

Step 3: Mix everything gently together well

Pour the dressing into the bowl with the spinach and chives. Lightly toss to be careful to not bruise the spinach as much as possible. Make sure the dressing covers the spinach and chives well. Sprinkle a nice amount of toasted sesame seeds on top. Serve and enjoy immediately!

Serving suggestions

Serve this salad-like fresh kimchi as you would any side dish (banchan). We love having this with a soup/stew, bowl of rice, and a few other side dishes. If you are staying low-carb, whip up this recipe to have alongside with your choice of protein.

We hope you enjoy this spinach and chive fresh kimchi (geotjeori)!

Need protein ideas to serve with this spicy spinach and chive fresh kimchi?

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