Gaji-namul is a simple, delicious, everyday Korean side dish, meant to be eaten with other side dishes and rice.

It’s one of my favorites. I love the fresh taste, soft texture, and the beautiful vibrant purple color of the dish on the table. It’s refreshing and goes well with oilier items to offset their texture and taste. I never get tired of it!

If you are a vegetarian, replace the fish sauce with soy sauce.

Ingredients

(serves 4):

Directions

  1. Prep your steamer by adding 2 cups of water to it. Set heat to medium-high for it to boil, it shoud take about 5 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, cut eggplants crosswise into 2½ inch pieces. Cut the thicker pieces in half lengthwise.
  3. When the water starts boiling, put the eggplants on the steamer rack and cover. Steam for 5 minutes over medium high heat.
  4. Remove from the heat. Take out the steamed eggplant and transfer to a cutting board. Let cool for 5 to 10 minutes until you can easily handle them.
    steamed_eggplant (gaji-namul: 가지나물)
    steamed_eggplant (gaji-namul: 가지나물)
  5. Tear each piece into bite size pieces.

Make seasoning mixture:

  1. Combine garlic, green onion, soy sauce, fish sauce, hot pepper flakes, sesame oil in a mixing bowl.
  2. Mix well with a wooden spoon.
    steamed_eggplant (gaji-namul: 가지나물)

Put it together & serve:

  1. Add the steamed eggplant to the bowl and mix well by hand or with the wooden spoon.
  2. Sprinkle with the crushed sesame seeds and serve with rice.
    steamed_eggplant (gaji-namul: 가지나물)
    steamed_eggplant (gaji-namul: 가지나물)

Posted on Saturday, October 25th, 2008. Last updated on August 10, 2021.
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180 Comments:

  1. LukaCMuller Melbourne, Australia joined 2/23 & has 1 comment
    Posted February 16th, 2023 at 5:06 am | or create a profile.

    This recipe is simple and quick but SO delicious. Thank you!


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  2. Jang-geum Charlotte, NC joined 9/20 & has 26 comments
    Posted January 2nd, 2023 at 5:26 am | or create a profile.

    Loved gaji-namul a lot..will buy more korean eggplants to make this again Yummy!


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  3. Oma-Sylvia Amsterdam, the Netherlands joined 6/22 & has 1 comment
    Posted June 23rd, 2022 at 2:03 pm | or create a profile.

    Hi, I found your recepi page by coincidense. I bought some chinese eggplants but did not know what to make or how to use it.. so, I tried to make this dish. And wow, so full of flavour.. although I forgot the sesame seeds and used Portuguese piri-piri istead of the original hot flakes.. it was delicious.. don’t have a picture cause it tasted to well..
    Next recepi I’ll make a photo..
    Greetings,
    Sylvia

  4. ilcorago Philadelphia, PA joined 11/18 & has 3 comments
    Posted January 30th, 2022 at 9:42 am | or create a profile.

    So easy and so delicious!


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  5. MaangchiLove Montreal, Toronto joined 8/19 & has 56 comments
    Posted April 18th, 2021 at 9:19 pm | or create a profile.

    I’ve made it many times so far, it’s my veggie side dish fave!


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  6. Lucia Minnesota joined 6/20 & has 2 comments
    Posted June 24th, 2020 at 8:57 am | or create a profile.

    If you were eating this the next day would you reheat it or eat it cold? Thank you! Attached is a picture of my my gaji-namul with rice, gochujang tofu, and fresh vegetarian kimchi. I was out of sesame seeds, but it was still very tasty!


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  7. AnnaD El Paso TX joined 5/20 & has 1 comment
    Posted May 23rd, 2020 at 9:17 pm | or create a profile.

    Thank you for your recipes and videos. I have made your Gaji-namul a few times and my mom, korean, loves this one best. I am half Korean and am learning many recipes from you. I love your books and look forward to more recipes.


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  8. redgiraffe Vancouver joined 5/20 & has 1 comment
    Posted May 12th, 2020 at 5:42 pm | or create a profile.

    Can I use dried eggplant? Do I just soak them in water to rehydrate and then use them according to the recipe after instruction 5. Tear each piece into bit size pieces?

  9. Chongyiihean88 Malaysia joined 4/20 & has 2 comments
    Posted April 6th, 2020 at 5:13 am | or create a profile.

    Made this lots of times, easy and delicious,

  10. jaygles Colorado joined 3/20 & has 2 comments
    Posted March 14th, 2020 at 9:49 pm | or create a profile.

    I love Korean food, but I’m vegan and it makes it hard to buy pre-made Korean products, so I’m learning how to make it all myself! I made gaji-namul tonight with kimchijeon and rice and it is so delicious! Thank you for this great recipe!

  11. JNOK Oklahoma, US joined 2/20 & has 2 comments
    Posted February 19th, 2020 at 2:25 pm | or create a profile.

    I really love Korean food. I’ve just made this recipe and had it with rice. It’s very delicious! Thank you very much!
    JN


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