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Home » Recipes » Korean

Delish Spicy Radish Kimchi Recipe

Feb 18, 2023Last Modified: February 19, 2023

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This page may contain affiliate links. So I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using my link. This post is about a Spicy Radish Kimchi Recipe!

A patterned bowl containing cubed radish kimchi in a spicy red sauce with green onions. There is a pair of chopsticks resting on the upper left side of the bowl.

Do you have a favorite type of kimchi? Korean cuisine features many many different types of kimchi. In addition to napa cabbage kimchi, many people name radish kimchi as one of their favorites.

Radishes are wonderfully suited to making kimchi and their crunchy texture gives you such a satisfying bite!

Here I will share with you a super easy and spicy recipe for this very common kind of kimchi which you will absolutely love!

What is Kkakdugi?

This recipe is for kkakdugi kimchi. Kkakdugi kimchi features radishes which have been diced into cubes. There are varieties of kimchi with radishes that have been shredded, but those are not considered kkakdugi.

A patterned bowl containing cubed radish kimchi in a spicy red sauce with green onions. There is a pair of chopsticks resting on the upper left side of the bowl.

Why You Will Love This Recipe!

You will LOVE this radish kimchi recipe because:

  • This wonderful delicious kimchi makes a perfect side dish and can be ready in about 1 hour.
  • There's no fermentation required and no super fancy ingredients needed. For example, I used daikon radish, which many grocery stores carry, for this recipe. However by all means use fresh Korean radish, called mu, if you can find them.
  • It's so easy to make this kimchi! This is a perfect introduction to those who have never made kimchi before.
  • This kimchi is delightfully spicy! You can tone it down if you want by decreasing the amount of Korean red pepper flakes you use. However, I'm firmly TEAM SPICY and I encourage you to scratch that spicy taste food itch with a SPICY KIMCHI!

So let's have fun making this spicy cubed radish kimchi, called kkakdugi!

🥘 Ingredients

A bowl containing cubed pieces of daikon radish, and small bowls containing salt, ginger and garlic, Asian pear, fish sauce, red pepper powder, and green onions.

Here are the ingredients that you will need for this delicious homemade kimchi!

  • Daikon radish (or Korean white radish known as mu)
  • Coarse salt
  • Green onions
  • Ginger
  • Garlic
  • Gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes or powder)
  • Asian pear (can sub sugar)
  • Fish sauce (can sub soy sauce to make this vegetarian)
  • Cold water

I used daikon radish for this recipe, which may be easier to find than Korean radishes. If you'd like to make a Korean radish kimchi, then look for Korean radishes which you should be able to find at your local Korean markets.

So now I'll show you step by step how easy it is to make this delicious spicy radish kimchi recipe!

🔪 Instructions

Peel and cut the radish into bite sized cubes. It's easiest to do this by cutting the radish into discs, and then cutting the discs into radish cubes.

A peeled daikon radish which has been cut. There are small cubed pieces, 2 disc shaped pieces, and a tube shaped piece on top of a cutting board.

Place the cubed pieces of radish in a large bowl and add the coarse salt. Toss to coat the radishes with the salt. Leave at room temperature for around 40 minutes to allow the radish to release its juices. Stir it a couple of times during this time. At the end of the 40 minutes, drain the radish and discard the juices.

Cubed pieces of daikon radish with juices from the radish which have been released, in a red bowl.

During the waiting time, make the spicy paste. Combine the minced ginger and garlic, gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes), water, Asian pear (or sugar), and fish sauce. Set aside until the radish is ready.

By the way, using a food processor makes easy work of mincing the garlic, ginger, and Asian pear.

A white bowl containing a spicy red paste with red pepper powder, minced garlic, onion, and Asian pear. There is a spoon in the bowl containing some of the spicy paste.

Combine the drained radish with the spicy paste. Then stir in the sliced green onions. Taste and if you like it sweeter, feel free to add a little more sugar.

A red bowl containing radish kimchi which is cubed radish pieces in a spicy red sauce and green onions. There is a silver spoon in the bowl.

Your delicious radish kimchi is ready to eat right away, or refrigerate for a few hours in a glass jar and then enjoy!

Daikon radish pieces in a spicy red sauce with green onions in a glass jar.

Suggestions For Serving

A patterned bowl containing cubed radish kimchi in a spicy red sauce with green onions. There is a pair of chopsticks resting on the upper left side of the bowl.

Enjoy your mouthwatering spicy kimchi as the perfect side dish to Korean main dishes such as galbi or Korean fried chicken.

Of course be sure to serve some steamed rice, and practice your chopstick skills with your fave pair of chopsticks.

MASHITA! (IT'S DELICIOUS...IN KOREAN!)

FAQ

Can I use radish instead of daikon in this radish kimchi?

Radishes such as the cherry belle radish which is typically sold in US grocery stores, are not suitable for this kimchi. It's best to use either daikon radish or the Korean radish called mu for this radish kimchi.

How should I store this spicy radish kimchi?

Store this spicy radish kimchi in an airtight container. A glass jar is perfect for this!

How can I ferment radish kimchi?

If you would like to ferment this radish kimchi, store it in an airtight container at room temperature for a couple of days. Be sure to press the radishes down with a spoon so that you get rid of the air pockets.

Some Other Delicious Recipes You May Enjoy!

Here are some other delicious Korean recipes you may enjoy:

  • Korean Zucchini Side Dish
  • Korean Spicy Bean Sprouts
  • Korean Braised Spicy Chicken

Join Me On A Fun Food Journey!

If you'd like to come along on this food journey with me, please sign up to get the latest recipes and inspiration for you to expand your food comfort zone! It's an incredible journey, please join me by signing up here.

Cheers!

Grace

A patterned bowl containing cubed radish kimchi in a spicy red sauce with green onions. There is a pair of chopsticks resting on the upper left side of the bowl.

Spicy Radish Kimchi Recipe

Grace
Korean radish kimchi, also called kkakdugi, is a super delicious and easy kimchi which you can eat right away!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 mins
Time needed for salted radish to release juices 40 mins
Total Time 55 mins
Course accompaniment, Side Dish, vegetable side dish
Cuisine Korean
Servings 5 people
Calories 41 kcal

Equipment

  • Food Processor helps make mincing the garlic, ginger, and Asian pear much easier!

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb daikon radish can also use Korean white radish called mu
  • ½ tablespoon coarse salt
  • 1 each green onion sliced

Spicy Paste Ingredients

  • 1 inch ginger peeled and minced
  • 6 cloves garlic peeled and minced
  • 2.5 tablespoon gochugaru Korean red pepper powder/flakes
  • ¼ cup Asian pear minced or pureed; can sub 1 ts sugar
  • 1.5 tablespoon fish sauce can sub soy sauce to make this vegetarian
  • 2 tablespoon water

Instructions
 

  • Peel and cut the radish into bite sized cubes. It's easiest to do this by cutting the radish into discs, and then cutting the discs into cubes.
    A peeled daikon radish which has been cut. There are small cubed pieces, 2 disc shaped pieces, and a tube shaped piece on top of a cutting board.
  • Place the cubed pieces of radish in a large bowl and add the coarse salt. Toss to coat the radishes with the salt. Leave at room temperature for around 40 minutes to allow the radish to release its juices. Stir it a couple of times during this time. At the end of the 40 minutes, drain the radish and discard the juices.
    Cubed pieces of daikon radish with juices from the radish which have been released, in a red bowl.
  • During the waiting time, make the spicy paste. Combine the minced ginger and garlic, gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes), water, Asian pear (or sugar), and fish sauce. Set aside until the radish is ready.
    A white bowl containing a spicy red paste with red pepper powder, minced garlic, onion, and Asian pear. There is a spoon in the bowl containing some of the spicy paste.
  • Combine the drained radish with the spicy paste. Then stir in the sliced green onions. Taste and if you like it sweeter, feel free to add a little more sugar.
    A red bowl containing radish kimchi which is cubed radish pieces in a spicy red sauce and green onions. There is a silver spoon in the bowl.
  • Your delicious radish kimchi is ready to eat right away, or refrigerate for a few hours in a glass jar and then enjoy!
    Daikon radish pieces in a spicy red sauce with green onions in a glass jar.

Notes

Feel free to add a little sugar if you like your kimchi a little sweeter.
You can sub soy sauce for the fish sauce to make this vegetarian.
This recipe does not address fermentation.  If you'd like to ferment your kimchi, then you can leave it on your kitchen counter for a couple of days. 

Nutrition

Calories: 41kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 2gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0.1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.2gSodium: 1207mgPotassium: 330mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1191IUVitamin C: 22mgCalcium: 48mgIron: 1mg
Keyword Banchan, daikon radish, kimchi
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About Me

Hi I’m Grace! I'm married and a mom to my fur baby, Toby, and food and travel are two of my greatest passions! Since our bank account does not allow us to travel or eat out as much as we'd like, I decided I would cook delicious meals that could give us a taste of all the places we'd like to go. My goal is to get you in the kitchen, and inspire you to cook and taste delightful meals that will transport you too. Let’s throw some actual travel in from time to time, all with an emphasis on keeping your wallet full and happy as well. Let’s get cooking and let’s start exploring!! I'm excited to be on this journey with you!!

By the way most of these recipes are Toby taste tested and Toby approved!!

Chief Taste Tester Toby

Toby Chief Taste Tester

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