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This is the way: Kimchi and Spice.

Let’s be honest, potato salad is not a complicated recipe. It can be very exciting though, the combinations of spices and veggies (or meat) are pretty much endless. Kimchi Potato Salad brings the savory heat, packed with the fresh crunch and textures. This recipe compliments any warm BBQ fresh off the grill.

This recipe was originally designed to be paired with my Korean Grilled Ribeye, the perfect compliment for this bowl of creamy crunch. You should definitely make them together, especially if you’ve never opened your mind to Korean BBQ before.

We miss going out for Korean BBQ. I love being able to sit down, grill my own food and have PLENTY of banchan (little sides) brought to the table. Each unique bite has an incredible amount of complexity with texture, spices, and acid. Talk about inspiration!

veggies and gochujang mayo stirred together

Kimchi and Gochujang

These rockstars are the unique ingredients separating this potato salad from the rest. These are the flavors you’re looking for: savory & spicy. Kimchi and gochujang are both fermented products, developing complex, sour and funky flavors. The level of umami, savory flavor, is something you really can’t replicate. I mean, there’s always bacon, but it’s still not the same.

Napa cabbage kimchi is the staple, and that’s what I’m recommending here. Dare to try others, I know I will, but I would definitely start with the standard.

Gochujang is pretty easy to find. I’m fortunate that we have a Korean community in Phoenix, most of our stores carry a variety of it. Here’s a helpful link if you want to buy the same brand I use online:

Steps for Kimchi Potato Salad Success

We discussed this earlier right? Potato salad is easy to make. There’s a couple of tips I’m going to share to make sure you have the best result.

Use waxy potatoes, such as Yukon Gold

The veterans of potato salads out there know what I’m talking about. Skip the Russets, leave those for baking potatoes or fluffy mashed potatoes. Yes, this will make a huge difference. You want firm, creamy potatoes in your salad. Not flaky chunks falling apart.

Mix the wet ingredients together first

You’ll see in the recipe I basically have the “dressing” component, then the veggies. The gochujang needs to be mixed thoroughly, as it’s pretty thick. If you skip this, you’ll have clumps of firey heat randomly dispersed through your veggies. I’m sure you wouldn’t want a straw of green onion stuffed with gochujang to surprise you.

Taste your gochujang and adjust

My recipe recommends 2 tablespoons of gochujang. This is medium spicy for the gochujang that I buy. I highly recommend trying your ahead of time and using the “less is more” if you’re not sure. Want to add more after? Mix a little bit with some mayo first, then stir in.

Serve it with something hot off the grill

This will taste delicious with most grilled food, but I’m pointing you back towards that Korean Grilled Ribeye recipe. Hope you enjoy!

Kimchi Potato Salad

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Kimchi Potato Salad brings the savory heat, packed with the fresh crunch and textures. This recipe compliments any BBQ fresh off the grill.

Total Time: 25
Yield: 6-8 1x

Ingredients

Scale

2 lb potatoes, Yukon gold preferred
1 cup mayo
2 tbsp gochujang
2 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp sesame oil
1 cup kimchi, chopped
1/2 red onion, diced
4 scallions, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
salt & pepper to taste
(optional) sesame seeds and extra scallions for garnish

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Instructions

Boil the potatoes. Start with salted, cold water and unpeeled potatoes. Boil for about 15-20 minutes until fork tender. Slice them in half and let them cool. Peel the potatoes and cube them.
Make the dressing. Mix the mayo, gochujang, Dijon, and sesame oil together to incorporate well. Stir in the veggies to mix evenly, then gently stir in the potatoes once they are cooled. Taste and adjust with salt & pepper if needed.
It’s best served the next day. Top with optional scallions and sesame seeds.