Salady has teamed up with renowned temple food master Chef Seon-jae for a limited-edition collaboration featuring two unique vegan dishes: Gochujang Carrot Noodles and Chwinamul Bibimbap. Available until July 14, 2026, these dishes offer a delicious and healthy take on Korean cuisine, emphasizing fresh ingredients and mindful preparation. This partnership brings the essence of Korean temple food to a wider audience, making it accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
Why the Salady x Chef Seon-jae Collaboration is a Must-Try
The collaboration between Salady, a popular Korean salad chain, and Chef Seon-jae, a celebrated master of temple cuisine, is generating significant buzz in the food industry. Chef Seon-jae, who gained wider recognition through her appearance on Netflix's 'Baek Spirit' Season 2, aims to make healthy temple food more accessible to the public through this partnership. Both new menu items are entirely vegan, free from the five pungent spices (like garlic and onion) and animal products. They incorporate ingredients like tofu and mushrooms for protein, with a special focus on carrots and chwinamul (Korean aster). This makes them an appealing choice for health-conscious individuals and vegetarians alike. As someone who prioritizes healthy eating, I was immediately drawn to this new offering and eager to try it.
Gochujang Carrot Noodles: A Unique Flavor Experience
The Gochujang Carrot Noodles offer a truly unique dining experience, featuring thinly sliced carrots prepared to mimic noodles. These carrot 'noodles' provide a delightful crisp texture and a satisfying portion, especially for carrot lovers. The gochujang sauce is mild and subtly healthy, but be mindful of its sodium content, which is over 1,000mg. If you're watching your sodium intake, consider asking for less sauce. The flavor profile is not overly sweet or sour, allowing the earthy notes of the carrot and the aromatic chwinamul to shine. I personally enhanced mine with a touch of apple cider vinegar, allulose, and perilla oil to suit my palate. The combination of carrot and chwinamul creates an unexpectedly harmonious and appealing dish.
Gochujang Chwinamul Bibimbap: Health Meets Flavor
The Gochujang Chwinamul Bibimbap is served in Salady's signature poke bowl style, generously filled with seasonal chwinamul, mushrooms, carrots, red cabbage, and crispy fried tofu. The base of mixed grains (instead of white rice) is a welcome addition for those mindful of blood sugar levels, making it a healthier alternative. The interplay of crisp carrots, fragrant chwinamul, and savory perilla oil creates a surprisingly robust flavor. The star of this dish is undoubtedly the fried tofu, which is both chewy and soft inside, offering a delicious source of protein and a delightful texture contrast. With a sodium content of 769mg, it's a more sodium-friendly option compared to the carrot noodles. Chef Seon-jae emphasizes that fermented soy sauce aids digestion, and I found the meal to be clean and satisfying without any post-meal heaviness.
Tips and Considerations for the Salady x Chef Seon-jae Collaboration
The Salady x Chef Seon-jae collaboration menu is available for a limited time, from May 14 to July 14, 2026. You can order through Salady's in-store locations, app orders, or delivery platforms. The in-store price is ₩7,200 (approximately $5.20 USD), while delivery app prices are around ₩9,100 (approximately $6.60 USD). It's advisable to check multiple delivery apps as availability may vary. Opting for in-store pickup or dining is significantly more economical, saving you about $1.40 USD per meal. Additionally, Salady is offering a special promotion on their app: the first 50 orders placed by May 27 receive a 50% discount on the new menu items, making it an even more attractive time to try these unique K-food creations.
