Korean Seasoned Spinach (Sigumchi Namul)

By Naomi Imatome-Yun

Updated 06/09/19

Korean spiced spinach

Photographer's Choice RF/Getty Images

  • Total: 15 mins
  • Prep: 5 mins
  • Cook: 10 mins
  • Yield: 6 servings
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
88 Calories
3g Fat
12g Carbs
4g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6 servings
Amount per serving
Calories 88
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 3g 4%
Saturated Fat 0g 2%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 375mg 16%
Total Carbohydrate 12g 4%
Dietary Fiber 2g 9%
Protein 4g
Calcium 140mg 11%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Appetizers and side dishes play a key role in Korean cuisine, and this recipe has everything you need to make a particular tasty side—seasoned spinach “salad.” Spinach was the vegetable that Popeye relied on to stay strong, and for good reason as the food is chock full of iron. With more of the nutrient than some animal proteins, spinach is one of the heartiest plant-based foods you can eat. 

The other great thing about this spinach salad is that if you don't want to serve it as a side, you can use it as part of other well-known main dishes in Korea. Seasoned spinach salad may be used to go along with chapchae (stir-fried noodles), kimbap (rice and seaweed rolls) and bibimbap (rice with mixed vegetables).

Like many other Korean dishes, this side is also easily customizable. If you want to use more or less of any of the ingredients, depending on your unique tastes, feel free to do so. Those with health concerns, for example, may want to use less soy sauce (or a low-sodium version) or less sugar.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. of spinach
  • 2 tbsp. of soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp. of sesame oil
  • 1 tbsp. of sesame seeds
  • 1 tbsp. of sesame salt*
  • 2 cloves garlic (finely chopped)
  • 2 tsp. of sugar

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Blanch the spinach in boiling water for 30 seconds.

  3. Remove the spinach quickly and rinse it in cold water. The easiest way to do this might be putting the spinach in a colander, turning on your kitchen faucet and then letting the water run over it.

  4. Gently squeeze the vegetable to remove excess water. You can also try to shake the excess water from the spinach in the colander if you don't have the time or inclination to do so by hand.

  5. Mix the soy sauce, sesame oil, seeds, salt, garlic, and sugar, and mix all of these ingredients into the spinach. Use more or fewer of these ingredients depending on your preference or the preference of those dinner guests to which you plan to serve the salad.

  6. Serve and enjoy!

Recipe Variations

If you don't have sesame salt, you can add 1 teaspoon of salt and an additional 2 teaspoons of soy sauce.