How to Make Korean Potato Salad – A Creamy Korean Side Dish

Introduction: The Velvety Appeal of Korean Potato Salad 🥔✨

I still remember the first time I discovered Korean Potato Salad — or Gamja Salad — during an evening out at a cozy Korean BBQ spot. The sizzling meats were front and center, of course, but it was the small side dishes that surprised me most. One bite of that creamy, slightly sweet potato salad, and I was instantly smitten. Silky, light, and comforting, it offered the perfect cool contrast to the smoky flavors on the grill. 💛

What’s fascinating about Gamja Salad is its story. Though it was inspired by Western potato salads introduced to Korea in the post-war era, Korean cooks made it their own. Over time, it evolved into a beloved staple of banchan — the collection of side dishes that accompany Korean meals. These days, you’ll find it everywhere: at family dinners, lunchboxes, school cafeterias, and especially at Korean BBQ restaurants where it shines as a cooling, creamy accent.

So, what sets it apart? While Japanese Potato Salad tends to be chunkier and savory, Korean Potato Salad is known for its extra-smooth, creamy texture and subtle sweetness. Often served chilled, it refreshes the palate between bites of grilled meats or rich stews.

With the global rise of Korean cuisine, this humble side dish is gaining popularity well beyond Korea. Today, you’ll spot fans of Korean Potato Salad in places like South Korea, the USA, Canada, Australia, the UK, Singapore, Malaysia, Germany, the Philippines, and France — and for good reason! It’s simple, satisfying, and surprisingly easy to prepare at home.

If you’re excited to explore more Korean-inspired flavors, don’t miss our refreshing Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad — a vibrant side dish that complements Gamja Salad beautifully in any banchan spread. 🌶️🥒

🍴 What You’ll Need

Essential Kitchen Tools for Authentic Korean Potato Salad

Making Korean Potato Salad at home doesn’t require any fancy equipment — just a few basic kitchen tools to help you achieve that ultra-smooth, creamy texture this dish is famous for. Here’s what I always reach for when preparing Gamja Salad in my kitchen:

• Large pot — for boiling potatoes until tender
• Potato masher or a fine mesh sieve — for achieving a light, fluffy mash (the sieve works wonders if you want that silky-smooth texture!)
• Sharp knife — essential for thinly slicing vegetables like cucumber and carrot
• Mixing bowls — for combining and chilling the salad

A simple setup, yet the results are anything but ordinary!

If you’re building your Korean cooking toolkit, don’t miss our helpful guide: Top Tools for Making Homemade Korean Side Dishes — perfect for anyone who loves experimenting with banchan at home! 🍳✨

Prep Tips for the Smoothest Texture

For the dreamiest Korean Potato Salad, a few small prep steps make a big difference:

• Peel potatoes after boiling while they’re still warm — this helps achieve a softer mash
• Salt cucumber slices and let them sit — this draws out excess moisture, preventing the salad from getting watery
• Mash potatoes to your desired consistency — completely smooth, slightly chunky, or somewhere in between
• Cool the salad completely before serving — the flavors meld better after chilling

Once you try this method, you’ll be making this creamy, crowd-pleasing dish again and again! 🥔✨

🧂 Ingredients

Traditional Korean Potato Salad Ingredients

You’ll be amazed at how a handful of simple ingredients can come together to create such a delicate and satisfying dish. The hallmark of Korean Potato Salad (Gamja Salad) is its silky texture and subtle balance of sweet, creamy, and savory flavors.

Here’s everything you need to bring this delightful side dish to life:

• 2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes — their naturally buttery flavor and smooth texture make them perfect for mashing
• 2 large eggs — hard-boiled and finely chopped to add richness and body
• 1 small Persian cucumber — thinly sliced for a crisp contrast
• 1 small carrot — peeled and finely shredded or julienned for color and texture
• ½ cup Kewpie mayonnaise (or your preferred mayo) — key to achieving that signature creamy taste
• 1 teaspoon sugar — adds just a hint of sweetness
• 1 teaspoon rice vinegar — provides brightness to balance the creaminess
• Salt, to taste
• White pepper, to taste — for a gentle layer of spice that enhances the other flavors

These ingredients form the foundation of a traditional Korean banchan potato salad — light, fluffy, and refreshingly simple.

Optional Add-Ins for Texture & Flavor

Once you’ve mastered the base, it’s fun to experiment with flavors and textures. Many Korean home cooks enjoy adding small touches to make the dish their own. Here are some tasty options you can fold in:

• Diced apples — brings a sweet-tart note and crunch
• Corn kernels — adds a burst of sweetness and color
• Small cubes of ham or Spam — for a savory, hearty variation
• Chopped green onions — bring a crisp, subtle flavor.

The beauty of Korean Potato Salad is that it’s incredibly versatile — you can easily tailor it to suit your taste or the menu you’re serving it with. 🥢

🍳 Instructions: How to Make Korean Potato Salad

Prepping the Potatoes & Eggs

The secret to perfectly fluffy Korean Potato Salad lies in the prep. By cooking your potatoes and eggs just right, and handling your vegetables carefully, you’ll achieve the light, creamy texture this dish is known for. 🥔✨

1️⃣ Boil the potatoes: Place your whole Yukon Gold potatoes in a large pot of cold water.Heat until boiling, then simmer until the potatoes are soft enough to pierce with a fork, roughly 15–20 minutes. Check by piercing with a knife—when it slides through easily, they’re done.
2️⃣ Cook the eggs: In a separate saucepan, cover eggs with water. Heat to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 10–12 minutes. Once cooked, transfer to cold water and peel once cool.
3️⃣ Peel the potatoes while still warm for a smoother mash. Warm potatoes absorb flavors better, giving you a creamier result.

Folding in Flavor & Texture

Once your main ingredients are prepped, it’s time to bring everything together for that balanced flavor and irresistible texture.

4️⃣ Mash the potatoes in a large mixing bowl to your preferred texture—smooth for a classic creamy salad, or leave small chunks for a bit of bite.
5️⃣ Add Kewpie mayo, sugar, rice vinegar, salt, and white pepper. Stir gently until well combined.
6️⃣ For the vegetables, thinly slice your cucumber and carrot. Salt the cucumber slices and let them rest for about 5–10 minutes to release moisture. Pat dry with a clean towel or paper towel to avoid watering down the salad.
7️⃣ Fold in the prepared cucumber, carrot, and chopped hard-boiled eggs. If you’d like to customize, now’s the time to add optional ingredients such as diced apples, corn kernels, ham, or green onions.

Serving Tips

8️⃣ Cover and chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes—or up to a few hours—before serving. This step helps the flavors meld beautifully.
9️⃣ Serve cold as part of your Korean banchan spread, or alongside Korean BBQ, grilled meats, or rice bowls. It pairs well with just about any dish!

For another delicious and refreshing Korean side, be sure to check out our flavorful Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad—a perfect contrast to this creamy potato salad. 🥢✨

⏱️ Prep & Cook Times

A Quick & Simple Side Dish Ready in 35 Minutes

One of the many reasons Korean Potato Salad is such a favorite in my kitchen? It’s fast! You can easily prepare this light and creamy banchan in just over half an hour — perfect for weeknight meals or last-minute get-togethers. 🕒✨

Here’s the full time breakdown:

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes

Most of the time is hands-off while your potatoes and eggs are cooking. If you plan ahead and boil the potatoes and eggs earlier in the day, assembling the salad later takes just minutes!

And while it can be served right after mixing, I always recommend chilling it for at least 30 minutes — this allows the flavors to fully develop and the salad to set to the perfect texture.

Looking for another quick Korean dish to pair with your meal? You’ll love our refreshing Blueberry Cloud Jello Salad — a bright and fun option that complements savory sides beautifully! 🫐

🧬 Nutrition Score

Nutritional Info per Serving (Small Side Portion)

Though rich and creamy in texture, Korean Potato Salad can absolutely fit into a balanced meal — especially when served as a small side portion in the traditional banchan style.

Here’s an approximate nutritional profile for one small serving:

• ~200 calories
• ~12g fat
• ~3g protein
• ~20g carbohydrates

Keep in mind — the exact values will vary based on the type of mayo you use, whether you add extras like ham or apples, and how large your portion is.

Lightening Up Korean Potato Salad

Want to enjoy this delicious dish with a lighter twist? No problem! Here are some simple swaps and tips:

• Use light mayo or substitute part of the mayo with plain Greek yogurt for added protein and fewer calories
• Boost the veggies — add extra cucumber, carrot, or even steamed peas for more fiber and texture
• Cut back on sugar — ½ teaspoon is often enough to balance the flavors if you prefer less sweetness
• Choose leaner add-ins like diced apple or green onion instead of ham or Spam

With just a few easy tweaks, you can adapt Korean Potato Salad to suit your nutritional preferences — while keeping that signature creamy, fluffy charm. 🥔✨

🍽️ Serving Suggestions & Storage

How to Serve Korean Potato Salad

Traditionally enjoyed as a banchan, or side dish, Korean Potato Salad offers a cool, creamy contrast to the bold flavors of many Korean mains. It’s incredibly versatile — here are some favorite ways to serve it:

• As part of a Korean BBQ spread — pairs perfectly with grilled meats like bulgogi or galbi
• Alongside grilled or pan-seared fish — its light texture balances rich seafood beautifully
• In a rice bowl for added creaminess
• Served on a sandwich or in a wrap — a fun fusion twist!

It’s also a great addition to picnics or potluck tables — a familiar comfort dish with a subtle Korean flair. 🥢✨

Storing & Make-Ahead Tips

Korean Potato Salad holds up very well in the fridge, making it a fantastic make-ahead option:

• Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–4 days.
• Always refrigerate before serving — it’s at its best when chilled, allowing the flavors to fully blend.
• Do not freeze — the creamy texture will break and become watery upon thawing

Pro tip: If you’re preparing it ahead for a gathering, make it the day before and let it chill overnight — the flavor improves with time!

If you’re looking for more Korean sides to round out your table, check out our flavorful Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad — a crisp and refreshing complement to creamy dishes like this one! 🥒✨

🌀 Variations on Korean Potato Salad

Popular Ingredient Twists

One of the joys of making Korean Potato Salad at home is how easy it is to customize. You can adjust the texture, add fun mix-ins, or even change the flavor profile to suit your preferences. Here are some popular ways to switch it up:

• Korean Egg Potato Salad → Add extra hard-boiled eggs for a richer, more filling version 🥚
• Korean Creamy Potato Salad → Increase the mayo and add a splash of milk to achieve an ultra-smooth, velvety texture
• Korean Potato Salad with Cucumber → Simply double the amount of thinly sliced cucumber for extra crunch and a refreshing bite
• Ham or Spam → Add small diced ham or Spam cubes for a savory, hearty twist — this version is very popular in Korean home kitchens
• Gamja Salad with Apple → Fold in diced apples for a sweet-tart flavor and crisp texture that balances the creaminess perfectly 🍎

Reader Favorite Combos

Over time, many readers have shared creative takes on this simple side dish. Here are a few favorite combinations to inspire your next batch:

• Add sweet corn kernels for extra pops of sweetness
• Mix in pickled radish or daikon for a tangy contrast
• Fold in finely chopped green onions or chives for a subtle allium note
• Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds on top for added nutty flavor and visual appeal

👉 Kimchi Fried Rice Balls — this is a creative, flavorful Korean-inspired side/snack that pairs wonderfully with creamy dishes like potato salad.

For another fun Korean-inspired side, check out our flavorful Kimchi Fried Rice Balls — they’re crispy, savory, and pair wonderfully with creamy dishes like this potato salad! 🥢✨

✅ Conclusion: Light, Creamy, & Crowd-Pleasing

Korean Potato Salad is one of those dishes that truly brings joy to the table. Light, fluffy, and subtly sweet, it’s the perfect creamy contrast to bold Korean flavors — whether you’re serving it alongside sizzling Korean BBQ, simple rice bowls, or as part of a larger banchan spread. 🥢✨

I encourage you to give this easy recipe a try — once you do, it just might become a regular on your menu. It’s versatile, fun to customize, and always a crowd-pleaser.

If you give it a try, I’d love to know how it turns out!
👉 Leave a comment below to share your version, tips, or favorite add-ins.
👉 Rate the recipe — your feedback helps other readers discover it, too!

And if you’re exploring more Korean-inspired dishes, don’t miss our crispy, flavorful Kimchi Fried Rice Balls — they pair perfectly with this creamy salad for a fun, well-rounded meal!

Thank you for cooking with me — and happy eating! 🌟