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    Home » Recipes

    Chwinamul Bokkeum (Stir-fried Aster Scaber)

    Published 02/21/2016. Updated 03/05/2021

    Jump to Recipe

    This post contains affiliate links. I earn a commission if you make purchases through those links. See my disclosure policy.

    Stir-fried chwinamul (aster scaber) is a popular side dish in Korea. Using dried chwinamul, it’s fairly easy to rehydrate and stir-fry this fragrant vegetable. 

    DSC8356 e1614140357647 - Chwinamul Bokkeum (Stir-fried Aster Scaber)

    Literally translated to “great full moon”, Daeboreum (대보름) is the day Koreans celebrate the first full moon of the Lunar new year. It falls on the 15th day of the lunar calendar, which is tomorrow! Most traditional rituals and activities that were believed to bring good health and luck have faded over time.

    The one thing that continues in most Korean homes is the custom of eating ogokbap (오곡밥, rice made with 5 grains and beans) and 9 different dried and fresh vegetable dishes, including gosari namul and doraji namul, for a healthy new year.

    I made a few vegetable dishes today to celebrate Daeboreum, and decided to show you how to make chwinamul (취나물) bokkeum (stir-fried), which is a common dish for Daeboreum. 

    What is chwinamul?

    Chwinamul (aster scaber) is a wild leafy vegetable, with a bitter taste and distinctive aroma, that grows in the mountains and fields of Korea. It’s hard to come across fresh chwinamul outside Korea, but Korean markets and on-line Korean shopping are usually well stocked with packages of dried chwinamul.

    DSC 1135 1 e1456122080874 - Chwinamul Bokkeum (Stir-fried Aster Scaber)

    There are several ways to rehydrate dried vegetables. Some people soak dried vegetables in water for several hours and then boil. I like to boil first until almost tender and then leave it in the water to cool until soft. It works faster this way. This recipe provides a general guideline, but the required time for boiling and soaking will greatly depend on the condition of the dried vegetable.

    Enjoy it as a side dish to any Korean meal or in bibimbap!

    DSC 1119 2 e1456122611340 - Chwinamul Bokkeum (Stir-fried Aster Scaber)

    For more Korean cooking inspirations, follow along on YouTube, Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

    DSC 1135 1 150x150 1 - Chwinamul Bokkeum (Stir-fried Aster Scaber)

    Chwinamul Bokkeum (Stir-fried Aster Scaber)

    4.50 from 8 votes
    Side Dish
    Servings: 4
    Print Recipe

    Ingredients

    • about 2 ounces dried chwinamul see note
    • 1 tablespoon soup soy sauce (or regular soy sauce) or to taste
    • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
    • 2 tablespoons cooking oil
    • 1 tablespoon sesame oil or perilla oil
    • 1 teaspoon sesame seeds or perilla seeds
    • 2 tablespoons chopped scallion

    Instructions

    • Place the chwinamul in a medium to large pot filled with water ⅔ of the way.
    • Bring it to a boil. Lower the heat to medium and continue to boil, covered, until the stem part is soft, about 30 minutes. It doesn’t have to be completely tender at this point. Turn off the heat, and cool the chwinamul in the cooking water until completely cooled and softened, up to 3 to 4 hours. Drain and wash thoroughly 2 to 3 times. Drain again.
    • Cut into 3-inch lengths if long. In a skillet, season the chwinamul with the soup soy sauce and minced garlic. Let it stand for 10 to 20 minutes.
      DSC 1088 e1456116624884 - Chwinamul Bokkeum (Stir-fried Aster Scaber)
    • Sauté with cooking oil for about 4 - 5 minutes over medium heat. Add 1/2 cup of water. Stir in the sesame oil, and toss with sesame seeds and scallion before turning the heat off.

    Notes

    This yields 4 to 6 servings as a side dish or 8 servings in bibimbap. The recipe can be easily cut in half if you want to make less.
    Tried this recipe?Mention @koreanbapsang or tag #koreanbapsang!

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    Comments

    1. Helen says

      April 23, 2020 at 4:39 pm

      5 stars
      Hi Hyosun-ssi! First of all, thank you so much for your blog! I’ve been going through your recipes one at a time, and they have all been huge hits :). Just wanted to ask — in step 3, you say to let the chinamul stand for 10-20 minutes. Do you mean to let it sit without any heat? Is this to let the the chinamul marinate in the sauce? Thanks so much!

      Reply
      • Hyosun says

        April 27, 2020 at 1:57 am

        Yes, you’re right!

        Reply
    2. Judith says

      April 04, 2020 at 6:37 pm

      I bought seeds for this at my local Korea market – looking forward to growing it this year.

      Reply
    3. Kaden says

      November 17, 2016 at 9:17 pm

      I boiled the entire bag and realized it way too much to consume at one time. Can I refrigerate it and cook it as needed within a week or 2?

      BTW, I tried several of your recipes and it always turn out awesome! Thank you so much for recipes!

      Reply
      • Hyosun says

        November 18, 2016 at 12:46 am

        yes you can. Squeeze out the excess water before storing it. Thank you so much for trying my recipes! I am happy to hear they turned out awesome for you. Cheers!

        Reply
    4. Latha says

      February 23, 2016 at 9:55 pm

      That looks so good! You always set a beautiful and enticing table. Thanks for the recipe. I hope I get to try it at some point.

      Reply
      • Hyosun says

        February 23, 2016 at 10:07 pm

        Thank you, Latha!

        Reply
    4.50 from 8 votes (7 ratings without comment)

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    Hi! I'm Hyosun, and I am a Korean-American mom of two wonderful grown-up children. Here, you will learn how to cook Korean dishes the way we Koreans traditionally eat at home. Read More...

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