Company: Pulmuone/ Product Name: Gardenia Seeds Half-cut Pickled Radish
No Preservative, No MSG, No Artificial Coloring, No Saccharin, No Glacial Acetic Acid
Recently, I learned that some of the artificial ingredients in pickled radishes are not good for health. Some examples of those ingredients are: food coloring, preservatives, MSG, and saccharin. Should I give up eating this delicious food for health? I stopped buying it for a while; however, whenever I was hungry for kimbap, I wished there was a healthy pickled radish. One day, I found this Gardenia Seeds pickled radish from a Korean grocery store. It did not have the unhealthy ingredients that I was afraid to eat. So, I was excited to try it. The taste is not as good as the normal pickled radish, but it is good enough to use, especially considering how much healthier it is. π The more I eat it, the more I become accustomed to it and like it. If you can find it in a Korean grocery store, try it someday.
Takuan, also known as takuwan, is a popular traditional Japanese pickle. Takuan is also popular in South Korea, and is called danmuji (λ¨λ¬΄μ§). It is made from daikon radish.
- Use:
filling for KimBap, an accompaniment to Korean dishes, typically JaJangMyeon, or a side-dish.- Storage:
Keep in the refrigerator.- Types:
There are 2 colors of pickled radish; white and yellow.
There are 4 kinds of shapes for pickled radish.
1. Already cut for kimbap size.
2.Whole radish
3. Half cut radish (like the picture)
4. sliced thinly ( for jajangmyeon or side-dish)
Short Korean Lesson
- Dan (λ¨) = Sweet
- Ji (μ§) = Pickled
Kelly says
is danmuji good for health, aeri? i read in the wrapper that the coloring is proven to cause cancer in animals…
also because of its sweetness, do you think a serving of it has a lot of calories? thank you
Aeri Lee says
hi Kelly,
You are right.. it’s not healthy.. it’s sad..because I love it.. I found some brand uses healthy ingredient and skip the bad ingredient cause cancer… but.. its taste wasn’t as good as the normal one. I don’t think this one has much calories… I love kimbap.. what should I do.. hehe
chasty says
the color comes from turmeric not artificial.
AeriLee says
Hi Chasty,
Thanks for your comment. π
Bella says
Ahhh, I should of read this before going to the Market.
I bought the white radish instead of the yellow (it looked yellow until I took it out) I was really looking forward to making KimBap with it….):
Anywho, Thank you for all your recipes, My boyfriend loves that I cook Korean food for him even thou I’m not Korean and a bad cook so your videos are a life saver! (:
Aeri Lee says
hi Bella,
Oh~~ white radish works same with yellow radish.. hehe π So your bf is a Korean? wow,,, he will be very proud of you and happy when you cook some Korean food for him. thanks π
Carmi says
Hi hi, ^_^
I was wondering, how long does pickled radish last in the fridge?
(By the way, I made GamJa JoRim yesterday. It was very delicious! I’ll be making it a lot from now on.)
Aeri Lee says
hi Carmi,
You mean.. before you open the pack or after you open the pack ?? Since it’s pickled food.. you can keep until the using date on the package before you open..and once you open..I think you can use for about 2 or 3 weeks if you keep them well in sealed container. haha.. enjoy your gamja jorim. ^^
maiira says
does pickled radish contains anything that cannot be eaten by you know…muslims like alcohol or anything like that?
Aeri Lee says
hi maiira,
I don’t know what else you can’t eat .. normal pickled radish has some chemicals and artificial sweetness in it.. that part is not that healthy.. i don’t think it has alcohol in it. ^^
Cathy says
Hi. π
Do you know how to make homemade yellow pickled radish, without the artificial coloring and flavors? π
Aeri Lee says
hi Cathy,
I need some experiences to get a good recipe for it..but yes my husband will like to try homemade healthy yellow pickled radish. ^^ If I get a success, i will post it someday. thanks π
Colin says
I’m really glad to see that there is a yellow pickled radish that’s free from all the harmful chemical additives. I’ve been craving some kimbap lately but I’ve been holding off because I really don’t like to include artificial food colorings or MSG in my diet. I’m definitely going to try this healthier brand you posted, if I can find it that is (otherwise I’ll have to make it myself.) I hope that Han Ah Reum carries this brand. π
Your website and youtube blog is incredible by the way. I’ve been observing for the past month or so and I feel like your recipes look similar to how my Mom always cooked for me, so I’m excited to try some of your dishes.
Aeri Lee says
hi Colin,
Yes, it’s really good news for me who love kimbap that we can have healthier version of yellow pickled radish. WOW.. that’s real compliment that my recipes are similar to your mom.. mom’s food is the best.. hehe thanks
Minnie says
Hello…I just happen to see your videos and I am so grateful…I am so crazy with Korean food and tomorrow I will try to make Kimbap….pray for my success π
Kaoula says
hello, i was wondering if pickled radish is a must in order to make kimbap, can’t it be left out or substituded with another thing?
Aeri Lee says
hi Kaoula,
Many Korean people agree this… to me.. pickled radish is important flavor to the kimbap.. unless you are okay about the flavor without it.. and skip it.. thanks
Yantie Razli says
So true… without the yellow pickled radish kimbap will taste dull
Angela S. says
Glacial acetic acid is just pure filtered vinegar. Just because it has a “chemical name” doesn’t mean it’s something to be fearful of.
Aeri Lee says
hi Angela S.
Good information.. thanks.. There are different things that are not that healthy for our body in yellow pickled radish such as food coloring, msg, artificial sweeter.. and other chemicals.. I heard among them.. that sweeter is especially bad.. thanks
Mimi says
Can you make a video showing how to make these?? Pleasee
Aeri Lee says
hi Mimi,
I will add it to my list. thanks π
Neny Lily Lao says
I have trying to find the actual ingredient for the yellow pickled radish, Just like what is shown above, no clarity as to what are the mixture. Is it a secret? I am not satisfied with others shown here as it doesn’t have the same result as to the picture above. Hope you can help us out. Thanks
Aeri Lee says
hi Neny Lily Lao,
homemade yellow pickled radish can be same as store bought..because you don’t use chemical at home..which makes it healthier but not as tasty as store bought ones.. if I can get right kind of radish and other ingredients I will make it someday. thanks
Becky says
Hi μΈλ! νΉμ μ§ μ§ λ°©λ²μ μμκ° μμκΉμ?
Aeri Lee says
hi Becky,
μ곡.. μ§ μ§λΌλ©΄… ꡬ체μ μΌλ‘ λ λ§μνμλ건μ§μ. ^^:; μ§μμ λ§λλ μ€μ΄ μ₯μμ° λ§μνμλμ§..μλ λ€λ₯Έκ²μ λ§μνλ건μ§μ.. μλ €μ£ΌμΈμ.. π
Shelly says
I found this in the Asian supermarket last weekend and was tempted to buy it but one question: is it already sweet/sour right from the package or do I have to add sugar&vinegar to it after I take it out of the package?
Shelly says
Oh and if I need to prepare it with sugar&vinegar, can you please tell me the amount of all the required ingredients? Thanks in advance!
Aeri Lee says
Hi Shelly,
Oh..it already has seasoning in it.. so you don’t have to add other thing to eat.. unless you make a side-dish with it.. the recipe I had before is here..
http://aeriskitchen.com/2010/03/pickled-radish-side-dish-%EB%8B%A8%EB%AC%B4%EC%A7%80-%EB%AC%B4%EC%B9%A8danmuji-muchim/
Kenza says
Hi,
I have also purchased the yellow pickled radish. Do you know how long i can keep it once opened?
Aeri Lee says
hi Kenza,
If you keep it in the refrigerator, you can keep for several weeks. thanks
Shin Hyo Ae says
Hi Aerish, could you share danmuji recipe if i want to make it?
i couldn’t find it in indonesia and i wish that i could make danmuji by myself…
wish u can share the recipe to me.. thanks
kelly says
you can buy it in korean supermarket called Mugunghwa or Kmart.
Aeri Lee says
hi kelly,
Thanks for your reply for Shin Hyo Ae. π
Shin Hyo Ae says
Hi Aerish, could you share danmuji recipe if i want to make it?
i couldnβt find it in indonesia and i wish that i could make danmuji by myselfβ¦
wish u can share the recipe to me.. thanks
Aeri Lee says
hi Shin Hyo Ae,
I will add it to my list. thanks π
Yantie Razli says
I don’t think I can find instant yellow pickled radish like that in any store in my country… any possible way to DIY?
Aeri Lee says
hi Yantie Razli,
I will add it to my list..thanks
Rita says
Hi all, I came across this website for homemade “Danmuji” recipe. I’ve tried it & approved by my Korean friends^^
The yellow color is obtained from turmeric powder or dried chija (μΉμ; Gardenia jasminoides).
Please click on this website: http://www.shinshine.com/my-blog/2011/11/danmuji.html
Extraction for recipe:
1 small daikon (Japanese radish), about 2 cups, peeled
1/2 C rice vinegar
1/2 C water
1 TBSP sugar
1/4 ts salt
1 ts turmeric powder or 3-5 pieces of dried chija (μΉμ; Gardenia jasminoides)
Optional) 1/2 ts black peppercorns
If you’re making this as a convenient side dish, cut daikon into thin slices then cut in half. If you’re using this mainly for a kimbap ingredient, cut in long strips.
Mix together rice vinegar, water, sugar, turmeric (or chija), and black peppercorns. Bring the liquid up to a boil, then pour it over daikon slices.
Cool danmuji to room temperature, then place it in an airtight container. If you want to expedite its pickling, leave it out at room temperature overnight. It should be ready to eat the next day. Store danmuji in the refrigerator. The color will continue to deepen for the next few days.
Aeri Lee says
hi Rita,
Thanks for sharing a useful information with us. I was going to use chija too since it’s much healthier than food coloring.
Maisyara says
I came across that recipe as well and was about to try it today.
Thank you for your review. Now I feel I can confidently try it without having to worry if it’ll work out or not. I try to have all my ingredients homemade as some of the ready made are not Muslim friendly. But that didn’t stop me from trying out Korean foods.
Aeri Lee says
hi Maisyara,
I love your passion for Korean food. Hehe thanks ^^ Enjoy your korean food. ^^ thanks
Barbara Rarick says
From what I read it keeps up to three months. I made this myself just a bit different and added more water. It is very good recipe. I too was not liking the store bought versions with unhealthy ingredients. I hope everyone tries this recipe it is quite easy.
Aeri Lee says
hi Barbara,
Thanks for your good review about my recipe. π
JADE says
Hi Aeri Lee,
thank you for your post!!
What do you recommand for healthy takuan? Do you have a brand + address?
I would like to buy it from France but cannot find the healthy takuan …
thank you for your advice
Best,
Aeri Lee says
hi JADE,
I don’t know what kind of brand you have in France.. so It is hard to tell about it.. Check the ingredients.. the healthy one doesn’t use food coloring..and use yellow color from natural ingredient..and it doesn’t have that artificial sweetner which is the worst part of takuan.. Hope you can find something. thanks
Candi says
Hi,
How long can you keep these for once I’ve opened the package? Can I freeze them or its have to put in a tuberwear? There’s so much in a pack and I cannot finish it all so soon.
Thanks!
Aeri Lee says
hi Candi,
You can keep it in the refrigerator for a month or so.. I didn’t try to freeze them before..but I guess you can do it. Thanks ^^
Danielle says
How about if you haven’t opened the package yet? How long will they keep? Thank you in advance.
Aeri Lee says
hi Danielle,
If you didn’t open the package, you can check the expiration date on the package. π It will have good amount of time for it. thanks
Layla says
I opened the danmuji but I spilled all the water out of it, so can I still store for couple more weeks??
Jeri says
Do u know where I can find tis takuan? I would like to order it, but only found it through their wholesale page and there are no prices. Where did you buy it? Or where can I find it online?
Aeri Lee says
hi Jeri,
Since it’s refrigerated.. I think they will only sell offline.. I got it from a Korean grocery store. So pleas try it if you have one near you.. Thanks
Ma Recipes says
I cannot go a day without danmuji xD xD xD
Aeri Lee says
hi Ma Recipes,
haha..really ?? You just eat it plain with other food ?? thanks
Katherine says
Hello!
I was planning on making some Samgyeopsal at home but I can’t find Ssam Moo , the white pickled radish, where I live. Only this yellow pickled radish. Can you please tell me what the difference is and do they taste the same? Thank you so much!!
Aeri Lee says
hi Katherine,
Yellow pickled radish is more like fermented type food with more ingredient in it…and the ssam moo is more simple ingredient and just pickled in short time.. as a result the flavors are a little different..
Destiny says
Hi Aeri!
I was wondering what’s your favorite danmuji brand (even if it’s not as healthy haha. i just want the good taste). I’m a very picky eater and I happened to like one brand, but I forgot the name of it. I hope you can list a few that I can try out!
Aeri Lee says
hi Destiny,
I can understand why you ask a good brand for kimbap.. danmuji does change the flavor for your kimbap.. I didn’t like some of the brand I got. I like my homemade danmuji but if you want to just buy it, hmm… I liked “HaeTae (ν΄ν)” brand..I wonder if you can find it over there.
Mikaela says
Hello Aeri!
I bought something similar from the picture you posted.
May I know if you have any advise on after opening the packet and cutting out to eat some, what is the best way to store it after please?
Aeri Lee says
hi Mikaela,
The package will have some yellow liquid, you can keep your leftover pickled radish with the liquid either in a glass bowl.. or plastic ziplock bag.. I suggest to eat it in 1-2 weeks once you open it. π