Lemon Sweet and Sour Radish
A crisp and refreshing pickled radish dish with a bright sweet-sour flavor and fragrant lemon zest. This easy appetizer comes together quickly and tastes even better after a short marinating time.
Story
This tangy radish dish is a beloved side in Chinese home cooking. The combination of sugar, vinegar, and lemon creates a perfectly balanced pickle that wakes up the palate. Serve alongside rich dishes to cut through the fat, or enjoy as a light snack.
Ingredients
White radish (daikon)
1 large (about 500g)
Lemon
1 whole
Sugar
4 tablespoons
Rice vinegar
3 tablespoons
Salt
2 teaspoons
Optional: dried chili threads
for garnish
Instructions
1
Prepare the radish
Wash the radish well and peel if desired. Cut into bite-sized cubes or thin strips, about 1-2 cm in size.
2
Salt the radish
Place the cut radish in a bowl and sprinkle with salt. Toss to coat evenly. Let sit for 25-30 minutes until the radish releases its water. You'll see quite a bit of liquid collect at the bottom.
3
Drain and season
Drain off all the liquid that the radish has released. Add the sugar and rice vinegar directly to the bowl with the radish.
4
Add lemon
Zest the lemon directly over the radish, then cut in half and squeeze in the juice. Toss everything together until the sugar dissolves and coats the radish evenly.
5
Marinate and serve
Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or最好 longer for deeper flavor. Toss occasionally. Serve cold as a side dish, garnished with thin lemon slices or chili threads if desired.
