• Before You Start…Please note that this recipe requires 12+ hours of salting and pickling time.
• Gather all the ingredients.
  

To Make the Sweet Pickling Solution

• In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup rice vinegar (unseasoned), ¾ cup sugar, and 1 tsp Diamond Crystal kosher salt.
  
• Bring the liquid to a gentle simmer over medium heat. While mixing the liquid, let it simmer for a minute until the sugar dissolves and the vinegar smell is removed. Turn off the heat and set it aside to cool.
  

To Prepare the Turnips

• Peel 1 lb Japanese turnips (kabu) using a vegetable peeler or a knife.
  
• Cut the turnips into 1⁄16-inch (2-mm) slices. Here, I use a mandoline slicer to achieve a uniform thickness.
  
• Sprinkle 5 tsp Diamond Crystal kosher salt all over the turnip slices and rub/knead/massage the turnip well with salt. Set aside for 30 minutes. The turnip slices will start to sweat and release moisture; this helps remove bitterness, too.
  
• After 30 minutes, transfer to a sieve and rinse the turnip slices under running water to get rid of the salt and sliminess.
  
• Squeeze the turnip slices to remove excess water and stack the slices.
  

To Pickle the Turnips

• Cut 1 piece kombu (dried kelp) into smaller pieces (because I use three different size jars). Remove and discard the seeds from 1 dried red chili pepper and slice into rounds.
  
• Prepare clean jars or airtight containers.
  
• Put some turnip slices, a piece of kombu, and red chili in each jar, and pour the sweet pickling solution over to cover the turnip.
  
• Place the pickling weight (or utensil) on top of the turnip and put the lid on. Keep the jars in the refrigerator overnight.
  

To Serve (the next day)

• The pickled turnips are now ready to serve. You can remove the pickling weight. Kombu gets slimy after soaking in the liquid overnight, making the pickling solution slightly slimy/thick. However, this is a feature of Senmaizuke and you do not need to worry about it.
  
• Transfer the turnip slices onto a plate. I like serving each slice of turnip folded as you see in the picture. Enjoy!
  

To Store

• You can keep the pickles in the marinade for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. Use clean utensils to pick up the turnip to serve from the jar.