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    Home » Side Dishes

    Gosari Namul (Fiddlehead Ferns Side Dish)

    Published 02/13/2018. Updated 03/05/2021

    Jump to Recipe

    Gosari namul is a side dish made with dried gosari (fiddlehead ferns or bracken). Learn how to dehydrate and stir-fry gosari to a delicious banchan. 

    DSC 1927 e1518585334143 - Gosari Namul (Fiddlehead Ferns Side Dish)

    In a couple of days, Korea and many other Asian countries will be celebrating the Lunar New Year. To help you prepare for the holiday feast, I previously posted 15 Korean New Year Dishes. Here, I’m showing you how to make a side dish made with dried gosari (고사리, fiddlehead ferns or bracken).

    As I mentioned in my doraji (도라지, bellflower roots) namul post, a Korean traditional feast includes vegetable side dishes in three colors, collectively called (samsaek namul, 삼색 나물). Sam means three, and saek means color in Korean. Typically, they are doraji (bellflower roots) for white, gosari (fiddlehead ferns) for black/brown, and siguemchi (시금치, spinach) for green.

    DSC 2735 e1518585420186 - Gosari Namul (Fiddlehead Ferns Side Dish)

    Other vegetables in similar colors can also be used. For the photos of this post, I used mu namul (Korean radish) for the white color instead of doraji. Stir-fried shiitake mushrooms are often used for the black/brown color as well.

    What is gosari?

    Gosari is the immature frond (known as fiddlehead) of a bracken (aka fernbrake) which grows in the hills and mountains. It has a deep, earthy flavor with a chewy texture, which makes it an essential addition to dishes such as bibimbap and yukgaejang.

    DSC 1966 e1518585191813 - Gosari Namul (Fiddlehead Ferns Side Dish)

    You can buy dried gosari (고사리) at any Korean market. Look for the ones with short, thin stems.

    Lucky for me, I grew up eating quality gosari from Halla Mountain on Jeju Island (my parents’ hometown) which is known for the best gosari in Korea. We actually still get a constant supply from our relatives who pick the fiddleheads from Halla Mountain, when they are most tender, boil and dry for preserving. My parents and I have been happy recipients of the fruits of their labor for decades.

    Rehydrating gosari takes a combination of soaking and boiling.I find it quicker to boil first and then soak until it reaches the desired tenderness.The time can vary depending on the gosari.

    DSC 2678 e1518585135735 - Gosari Namul (Fiddlehead Ferns Side Dish)

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

    DSC 1966 150x150 - Gosari Namul (Fiddlehead Ferns Side Dish)

    Gosari Namul (Fiddlehead Ferns Side Dish)

    4.73 from 11 votes
    Servings: 4
    Print Recipe

    Ingredients

    • 1 ounce dried gosari (고사리), fiddlehead ferns (about 1-1/2 cups, rehydrated)
    • 1 tablespoon soup soy sauce (gukganjang (국간장)) or regular soy sauce - more to taste
    • 1/4 teaspoon sugar
    • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
    • black pepper to taste
    • 1 tablespoon cooking oil
    • 1/4 cup water or dashima or beef broth
    • 1 scallion roughly chopped
    • 1/2 tablespoon sesame oil
    • 1/2 teaspoon sesame seeds

    Instructions

    • Add the gosari and 4 to 5 cups of water to a medium pot. Boil over medium heat, covered, until tender, 30 to 40 minutes. The time can vary depending on the gosari. Turn the heat off and let it cool in the cooking water. When ready to use, rinse in cold water and drain.
      DSC 1856 768x514 - Gosari Namul (Fiddlehead Ferns Side Dish)
    • Cut into 3 to 4-inch lengths, removing tough ends of the stems, if any.
      DSC 1875 768x514 - Gosari Namul (Fiddlehead Ferns Side Dish)
    • In a pan, mix the gosari with the soy sauce, sugar and garlic. Let stand for 10 minutes.
      DSC 1879 768x514 - Gosari Namul (Fiddlehead Ferns Side Dish)
    • Turn the heat to medium, and sauté the gosari with 1 tablespoon of cooking oil for about 4 to 5 minutes. Pour in 1/4 cup of water (or dashima or beef broth). Cook for a few more minutes, stirring occasionally, until the liquid is almost gone. Add the scallion, sesame oil, and sesame seeds. Stir well before turning the heat off.
      DSC 1886 768x514 - Gosari Namul (Fiddlehead Ferns Side Dish)
    Tried this recipe?Mention @koreanbapsang or tag #koreanbapsang!

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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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