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Korean Macaroni Salad

Learn how to make Korean style macaroni salad!

It is definitely not a traditional Korean side dish, but I seem to spot this dish as often as kimchi when I dine at a Korean restaurant these days. How about you?

Macaroni salad in a small bowl

What is Korean Macaroni Salad

Korean macaroni salad is Korean pasta salad side dish made with macaroni pasta. It is covered with creamy, rich, slightly sweet and mildly tangy mayonnaise based dressing.

When I was growing up in Korea, I used to spot this when I ordered Korean style Japanese pork cutlet – Tonkatsu (Korean name: 돈까스, Donkasu). 

Here in Australia, many Korean restaurants seem to serve this as a complimentary side dish when you order a meal.

I personally don’t think there’s a huge difference between Korean style macaroni salad and western style macaroni salad, but maybe Korean style is less complicated to make, requiring fewer ingredients.

You might be surprised to know that the salad even goes very well with plain steamed rice, and of course Korean BBQ dishes, to just name a few.

Other Ingredients Ideas

A Korean restaurant version of macaroni salad often only consists of basic ingredients such as macaroni pasta, julienned  or shredded carrots and salad dressing. 

However, a typical Korean home cook loves adding more ingredients than those. Most common ones include bell peppers / capsicums, cucumbers and corn kernels.

What’s more, the below ingredients can be used additionally or alternatively as well. 

  • red onions, cubed
  • hard boiled eggs, cubed
  • ham, cubed
  • imitation crab, cubed
  • apple, cubed 
  • cabbage, shredded

So be my guest and add whatever you like in this salad!

Finally, if you like Korean macaroni salad, you might want to check out my Kelp Noodle Salad and Korean corn cheese  as well. They are delicious appetizers and side dishes.

Close up photo of Korean macaroni salad

Ingredients for Korean Macaroni Salad

Main

  • 200g / 7 ounces elbow macaroni 
  • 50g / 1.7 ounces cucumber, seeded & cut into small cubes
  • 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
  • 50g / 1.7 ounces corn kernel (from tin), drained
  • 50g / 1.7 ounces red bell pepper / capsicum, cut into small cubes

Macaroni Salad Dressing

  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise (whole egg)
  • 1 Tbsp sugar
  • 1/2 Tbsp honey
  • 1/2 tsp lemon juice
  • 1/4 tsp ~ 1/2 tsp fine sea salt, adjust to your taste
  • ground black pepper
  • (optional) 1 tsp dijon mustard

* 1 Tbsp = 15 ml, 1 Cup = 250 ml

How to Make Korean Style Macaroni Salad

1. Cook the macaroni pasta following the package instructions. (If the package does not suggest, I would recommend adding some fine sea salt when boiling the pasta.) Drain and cool down for 2 mins.

Photo collage - boiled macaroni salad

2. While the pasta is cooking, combine the salad dressing in a separate bowl. Also, separately, combine the cucumber and the salt (1/2 tsp) in a small bowl. Mix them well and set it aside until the remaining ingredients are ready. When ready, gently squeeze the water out of the cucumber. 

Pickling cubed cucumbers with salt

3. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl until well combined. Chill in the fridge for 30 mins to develop the flavor. Serve.

Korean macaroni salad in a bowl

How to Store Leftovers

While I love eating leftover foods in general, I don’t enjoy eating this salad as leftovers as much. Because, while it’s kept in the fridge, the pasta hardens, so the texture of the pasta feel a bit rubbery and a little bit undercooked.

But sometimes leftover food is unavoidable. If that’s the case for you, you can refrigerate the pasta in an airtight container. It should be good for up to 2 days.

Before serving, take out the pasta about 30 mins to soften a bit and give it a good stir. Also, if the sauce looks lacking, add a bit of mayonnaise to moisten the pasta again.

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Macaroni salad in a small bowl

Korean Macaroni Salad

Easy Korean style macaroni salad recipe
5 from 13 votes
Print Pin Rate Save
Course: Appetizer, Side dishes
Cuisine: Korean
Keyword: korean pasta salad, macaroni salad
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Chilling time: 30 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 274kcal
Author: Sue | My Korean Kitchen

Ingredients

Main

  • 200 g elbow macaroni  (7 ounces)
  • 50 g cucumber , seeded & cut into small cubes, (1.7 ounces)
  • 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
  • 50 g corn kernel (from tin), drained, (1.7 ounces)
  • 50 g red bell pepper / capsicum, cut into small cubes, (1.7 ounces)

Macaroni Salad Dressing

  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise (whole egg)
  • 1 Tbsp sugar
  • 1/2 Tbsp honey
  • 1/2 tsp lemon juice
  • 1/2 tsp fine sea salt , adjust to your taste
  • ground black pepper
  • 1 tsp dijon mustard (optional)

Instructions

  • Cook the macaroni pasta following the package instructions. (If the package does not suggest, I would recommend adding some fine sea salt while boiling the pasta.) Drain and cool down for 2 mins.
  • While the pasta is cooking, combine the salad dressing in a separate bowl. Also, separately, combine the cucumber and the salt (1/2 tsp) in a small bowl. Mix them well and set it aside until the remaining ingredients are ready. When ready, gently squeeze the water out of the cucumber. 
  • Mix all ingredients in a large bowl until well combined. Chill in the fridge for at least 30 mins to develop the flavor. Serve.

Notes

* 1 Tbsp = 15 ml, 1 Cup = 250 ml

Nutrition Info (per serving)

Calories: 274kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 534mg | Potassium: 115mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 273IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 1mg

The nutrition information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Tried this recipe?I love hearing how you went with my recipes! Rate this recipe with a comment below and tag me on Instagram @MyKoreanKitchen.

Written by: Sue

Updated on:

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Welcome to my Korean kitchen! Iโ€™m so happy that you're here. I am Sue, the creator behind My Korean Kitchen (since 2006). I love good food and simplifying recipes. Here you will find my best and family approved recipes. Thanks for stopping by!

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