KoreaIn Korean home cooking, soaked and marinated fuchju is a staple banchan — it keeps for days and actually tastes better the next day when the marinade has had time to soak in.
Do not overcook the asparagus — 3-5 minutes in boiling water is enough. Overcooked fuchju loses its texture and falls apart in the marinade.
Korean Soy Asparagus
A classic Korean banchan made from dried soy asparagus (fuchju) soaked, briefly boiled, and marinated in a savory soy-garlic-sesame dressing. Served cold as a side dish alongside rice and other Korean dishes.
Key Ingredients
What you'll need
Ingredients
- 200 gSee recipes with dried soy asparagus
dried soy asparagus (fuchju)
i - 1.5 lSee recipes with water for soaking
water for soaking
i - 2See recipes with garlic cloves
garlic cloves, minced
i - 3 tbspSee recipes with soy sauce
soy sauce
i - 1 tbspSee recipes with rice vinegar
rice vinegar
i - 1 tsp
- 1.5 tspSee recipes with sesame oil
sesame oil
i - 0.25 tspSee recipes with ground coriander
ground coriander
i - 0.25 tspSee recipes with chili flakes or gochugaru
chili flakes or gochugaru
i - 1 tbspSee recipes with sesame seeds
sesame seeds
i - 1See recipes with green onion stalk
green onion stalk, chopped
i
How to make it
Instructions
- 1
Break the fuchju into 8-10 cm pieces. Cover with cold water and soak for 5-6 hours until soft. Rinse, and cut if needed.
- 2
Boil the soaked asparagus in boiling water for 3-5 minutes until fully tender. Drain, rinse with cold water, and let cool.
- 3
In a large bowl, mix soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, sugar, coriander, chili flakes, and sesame oil.
- 4
Add the asparagus to the marinade, toss well, cover, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- 5
Serve cold, sprinkled with sesame seeds and chopped green onion. Great with rice or other Korean banchan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where to buy dried soy asparagus fuchju and what can replace it in the recipe?
Fuchju is available in Asian grocery stores and online. If unavailable, glass noodles are the closest substitute, though the texture will differ.
How long to soak dried soy asparagus fuchju before cooking?
In cold water — 5-6 hours. In warm water — 2-3 hours is enough. Do not over-soak or it will become mushy.
How long does Korean marinated soy asparagus keep in the fridge?
Up to 3 days in a sealed container. The flavor deepens on the second day as the marinade absorbs fully.
How to make Korean soy asparagus without chili for kids or mild taste?
Simply omit the chili or replace it with sweet paprika for color. The dish works beautifully in a mild version.
Why does soy asparagus fall apart after boiling — how to cook fuchju correctly?
The most common mistake is overcooking. 3-5 minutes in boiling water is enough — the asparagus should be tender but still have a slight bite in the center.
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