Danmuji (Korean Pickled Daikon Radish) Recipe

This vibrantly colored radish pickle will add a crunchy sweet-tart element to your next banchan spread.

Updated May 22, 2023

A jar of danmuji, Korean pickled daikon radish. — Serious Eats / Emily and Matt Clifton

Why It Works

Pressing a paper towel against the brine's surface ensures that the radish is fully submerged, for more effective pickling.

These quick Korean pickles are flavored with rice vinegar, garlic, turmeric, bay leaves, and black peppercorns. The turmeric is the key ingredient for getting that bright yellow color. An essential ingredient in kimbap, these pickles are also a perfect foil for bulgogi in our recipes for grilled Korean-style bulgogi burgers and bulgogi burritos.

March 2017

Recipe Details

Danmuji (Korean Pickled Daikon Radish) Recipe

Prep 10 mins

Cook 10 mins

Active 15 mins

Cooling Time 60 mins

Total 80 mins

Serves 8 to 10 servings

Makes 1 jar

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Ingredients

1 1/2 cups (355ml) water
1 1/2 cups (355ml) unseasoned rice vinegar
1/2 cup (100g) sugar
1 tablespoon (15g) Kosher salt
2 medium cloves garlic, halved lengthwise
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
15 whole black peppercorns
2 bay leaves
1 pound (450g) daikon radish, peeled and cut into 4- by 1/4-inch strips (see note)

Directions

In a medium saucepan, stir together water, vinegar, sugar, salt, garlic, turmeric, peppercorns, and bay leaves. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring to ensure that sugar fully dissolves. Remove from heat and add daikon. Press a paper towel directly against the surface of the brine and let cool to room temperature, 1 to 2 hours.
Transfer pickles and brine to an airtight glass container and store in the refrigerator. (The turmeric will stain a plastic container yellow.) Pickles will last about 1 month.

Special Equipment

Large glass jar or sealable glass container

Notes

The radish can also be sliced into thin rounds, which is how you'll often find it for served.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
28	Calories
0g	Fat
5g	Carbs
0g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8 to 10
Amount per serving
Calories	28
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g	0%
Saturated Fat 0g	0%
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 202mg	9%
Total Carbohydrate 5g	2%
Dietary Fiber 1g	3%
Total Sugars 4g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 7mg	34%
Calcium 13mg	1%
Iron 0mg	1%
Potassium 135mg	3%
*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.