JapaneseEasy · Cold
Mint and Radish Salad with Sesame Oil
A crisp, refreshing salad where peppery radish slices meet cool mint and a restrained sesame oil dressing. Simple. Honest. Clean.
Prep
15 min
Cook
5 min
Total
20 min
Method
1
Trim and rinse the radishes. Slice into thin rounds, roughly 3mm thick, using a sharp knife or mandoline.
2
Rinse the mint leaves under cold water and pat completely dry with a clean cloth or paper towel. Stack the leaves and tear them gently by hand into rough pieces.
3
Trim the dark roots from the scallions. Slice the white and light green portions into thin rings.
4
In a small bowl, combine the sesame oil, rice vinegar, and salt. Whisk together until the salt dissolves fully and the dressing is uniform.
5
Place the sliced radishes in a wide, shallow bowl or a single layer on a serving platter.
7
8
Toast the sesame seeds in a dry pan over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, until golden and fragrant. Allow to cool for 30 seconds.
9
Sprinkle the toasted sesame seeds over the dressed salad. Serve immediately for the best texture.
A
Nutri-Score
Excellent balance
A–E · lower is better · score -3
Calories
141
per serving
Source of fibre · 8gLow sugar · 3g
Protein
4g
Carbs
13g
Fat
9g
Sat. fat
2g
Fiber
8g
Sugar
3g
Sodium
327mg
Dairy FreeGluten FreeLow CarbVeganAnti InflammatoryDiabetesHeart HealthyLow SodiumHigh FiberLight MealVegetable Forward
Nutri-Score is a general nutritional-balance guide, not medical or dietary advice.
A
Environmental impact
Very low impact
A–E · lower is better · includes estimates
kg CO2e
0.2
per serving
ACarbonAEU all-round· both agree
Water
0.3m³
Land
6.0Pt
Runoff
0.02g P
Fresh Mint Leaves drives 54% of this recipe’s estimated footprint.
Carbon from Poore & Nemecek 2018; water, land & runoff from Agribalyse — modelled averages for comparing recipes, not a measurement of your groceries.
Flavor Profile
4
Umami
2
Sweet
4
Salty
3
Sour
2
Bitter
5
Spicy
Textures
CrispyCrunchyTender
Aromas
EarthyHerbalNutty
Kitchen Equipment
Primary Tool
SkilletSafety & Storage
Allergen Warning
Sesame is present as both sesame oil in the dressing and toasted sesame seeds as garnish. This dish is not suitable for individuals with sesame allergies. Use dedicated utensils and preparation surfaces if cooking for someone with sesame allergy.
Cross Contamination
If preparing this dish alongside other foods, ensure sesame oil and sesame seeds do not contact other ingredients, utensils, or servingware to prevent cross-contact for sesame-allergic individuals.
Handling
Use caution when slicing radishes with mandoline or sharp knife. Keep fingers away from blade. Apply even pressure and use food holder if available.
Equipment Safety
When toasting sesame seeds in dry pan, use medium heat only. Stir frequently and watch closely—sesame seeds can go from golden to burnt quickly (2-3 minutes). Allow pan to cool before washing.
Storage
This salad is best served immediately after assembly to maintain crisp radish texture and fresh mint quality. If storing, refrigerate in airtight container for up to 4 hours; texture of radishes will soften over time.
Ensure mint leaves are thoroughly dried after rinsing to prevent dilution of sesame dressing and ensure proper coating of salad.
Pro Tips
Technique
Slice the radishes with the same deliberation you would approach placing coals on a brazier — each cut must be clean and precise, roughly 3mm thin, so the peppery bite cuts through the dressing without resistance.
Substitution
If fresh mint is unavailable, substitute with shiso leaves torn in the same manner — the flavor will shift toward something more herbal and peppery, but the salad remains honest.
From the chef
In the foothills where I grew up, the radishes pulled from our garden at dawn carried a sharpness that modern kitchens have forgotten. This salad remembers — the radish speaks first, then the mint cools the tongue, and finally the sesame oil lingers like a quiet ember long after the last bite. I make it when I need to remember what a kitchen should be: a place where ingredients are trusted to speak for themselves.
TagsEasyQuickFreshVegetarianVeganGluten FreeLightRefreshingSummerCrunchyNo CookHerbsAsianHealthy
AllergensSesame
Source: generated · June 12, 2026