Simple and Refreshing Cucumber Cold Soup (Oi Naengguk)
Summer Delight! Baek Jong-won’s Golden Recipe for Chilled Cucumber Soup
On hot summer days when your appetite wanes, enjoy this simple, sweet, and tangy cold cucumber soup (Oi Naengguk) made at home. Following Baek Jong-won’s popular recipe with a golden ratio, it’s easy for anyone to make. The crisp cucumbers and refreshing, zesty broth create a perfect harmony.
Main Ingredients- 1 cucumber
- 1/4 onion
- A little green onion
- A little carrot (optional)
- A pinch of sesame seeds
Cucumber Seasoning- 0.2 Tbsp salt
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 2 Tbsp vinegar
Soup Broth- 6 cups water (approx. 1.2L)
- 0.7 Tbsp salt
- 3 Tbsp sugar
- 4 Tbsp vinegar
- 0.2 Tbsp salt
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 2 Tbsp vinegar
Soup Broth- 6 cups water (approx. 1.2L)
- 0.7 Tbsp salt
- 3 Tbsp sugar
- 4 Tbsp vinegar
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, wash the cucumber thoroughly and thinly julienne it. Finely slice the 1/4 onion similarly to the cucumber. Mince the green onion. If using carrot for color, you can thinly slice it or use a small cookie cutter to make decorative shapes. If you don’t have carrots, you can omit them or use thinly sliced red chili pepper instead.
Step 2
In a large bowl, combine the julienned cucumber, sliced onion, minced green onion, and carrot. Add the seasoning ingredients for the cucumber: 0.2 Tbsp salt, 1 Tbsp sugar, and 2 Tbsp vinegar. Gently mix with your hands, massaging the ingredients together. Let it sit for a short while; this process helps to draw out some of the cucumber’s moisture, making it even crisper.
Step 3
In a separate bowl, pour in the 6 cups (approximately 1.2L) of water for the soup broth. Add 0.7 Tbsp salt, 3 Tbsp sugar, and 4 Tbsp vinegar. Stir well with a whisk or spoon until the sugar and salt are completely dissolved. Taste the broth and adjust the amount of vinegar or sugar to your preference.
Step 4
Add all the seasoned cucumber and vegetable mixture from the second step into the soup broth. Stir gently to ensure the seasoning disperses evenly into the broth.
Step 5
Finally, sprinkle a pinch of sesame seeds on top for garnish. Your refreshing sweet and tangy cucumber cold soup is ready! Taste it and if it needs more tanginess or sweetness, add a little more salt, sugar, or vinegar to suit your palate.
Step 6
For an extra chilled experience, add plenty of ice cubes to the freshly made cucumber cold soup before serving. Alternatively, you can make it ahead of time and keep it chilled in the refrigerator. Enjoy this cooling Oi Naengguk to refresh your appetite on a hot summer day!
