Young Summer Radish (Yeolmu)

Raphanus sativus L.

The star of summer kimchi, a fast-growing baby radish

Yeolmu is a radish grown not for its root but for its tender young leaves and stems, harvested before the root has a chance to thicken. The name comes from the Korean for "tender radish" (yeorin mu); the common translation of "summer radish" is actually a misreading. It grows fast enough to harvest just 25 to 30 days after sowing, which makes it a great pick for cramped city plots or balcony pots. It prefers cool weather but can be sown in staggered batches from spring through fall, giving you several harvests in a single year. Made into yeolmu-kimchi or a watery mul-kimchi, the freshly cut leaves bring a cool, refreshing note to the summer table.

Year-Round Calendar

Sowing

Harvest

How to grow

Light: Somewhere sunny
Soil and depth: 20cm deep. Fine in a pot or a box
Spacing: 10cm. Sow thickly and thin as you eat
Watering: Often. Dry plants go stiff and peppery
Feeding: Fast enough that the base dressing usually covers it
Harvest: A month after sowing. Lift whole at 20 to 25cm, when the root is about as thick as a finger

What makes the difference. One of the fastest crops there is — twenty days in summer. Late and it turns coarse and hot, so lift a little earlier than feels right

Common problems

Flea beetles You will see Countless pinprick holes in the leaves What to do The days just after germination are the vulnerable ones. Fleece for two weeks and you are through
Aphids You will see Clusters on new growth What to do Wash them off with a jet of water

This page describes how a crop is grown and used. It does not claim health effects for any food, nor is it intended to prevent or treat disease. Component and study notes are references only and do not mean the same result occurs in people. Consult a medical professional about health concerns.

Health Benefits

Antioxidant support. Contains beta-carotene and vitamin C, which contribute to antioxidant activity.

Digestion and regularity. Dietary fiber and starch-digesting enzymes aid digestion and help prevent constipation.

Eye health. Beta-carotene converts to vitamin A in the body, supporting eye health.

Blood pressure regulation. Potassium helps the body excrete sodium, which may aid in regulating blood pressure.

Nutrition

Vitamin C (about 7.25 mg/100g) — Antioxidant activity
Calcium (about 156 mg/100g) — Builds bones and teeth
Beta-carotene (about 2,698 µg/100g) — Converts to vitamin A; supports eye health
Dietary fiber (about 1.3 g/100g) — Promotes digestion and prevents constipation
Potassium — Excretes sodium; helps regulate blood pressure

Pairings

○ Yeolmu-kimchi — The most popular way to use the tender leaves and stems, this kimchi whets the appetite during the hot summer months.

○ Yeolmu mul-kimchi — A watery kimchi made with plenty of brine for a cool, refreshing result. It is a great companion to naengmyeon (cold noodles) and bibim-guksu (spicy mixed noodles).

○ Mixed with barley rice — Yeolmu-kimchi and gang-doenjang (a thick seasoned soybean paste) are stirred into bori-bap (barley rice) and eaten together. Barley rice raises blood sugar more gently, making it a nutritionally good match.

○ Bibim-guksu and naengmyeon — Topping these noodle dishes with yeolmu-kimchi makes them taste noticeably cooler and more refreshing.

Varieties

Seoul-mu — Heirloom landrace
Jinju Daepyeong — Heirloom landrace
Altari-mu — A small radish (also known as ponytail radish), used for yeolmu
Seoul Bom-mu — A small radish
Naeseo-seong and Manchudae-seong cultivars — Choose cultivars bred to resist bolting (flower-stalk formation) in summer heat

Source: Rural Development Administration (Nongsaro, https://www.nongsaro.go.kr)