Crispy and Spicy Cucumber Salad (Oi Muchim)
Sumi’s Side Dishes: Grandpa Special Cucumber Salad – A Simple and Delicious Side Dish Recipe
Hello everyone, this is Gurumdalbit! Today, I’ll be sharing a recipe for a delicious cucumber salad, just like the one featured on the ‘Grandpa Special’ episode of ‘Sumi’s Side Dishes.’ That episode was truly entertaining; watching the cooking process, even with less-than-perfect knife skills, was incredibly healing. Cucumber salad is simple to make and makes a fantastic side dish. Cucumbers are often used in summer for refreshing cold soup (oi naengguk), this very cucumber salad, kimbap, stir-fries, or salads. However, a well-seasoned, spicy cucumber salad can banish your side dish worries for several days, providing a satisfying and hearty accompaniment to your meals. Shall we make it together?
Main Ingredients- 1 Korean cucumber (gasi oi)
- 1/4 onion
- 1 handful of chives
- A pinch of coarse salt (for washing cucumbers)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare one fresh Korean cucumber (gasi oi). To thoroughly clean any impurities from the cucumber’s surface, take a pinch of coarse salt in your hand and gently rub the exterior of the cucumber. Rinse the meticulously washed cucumber under running water until clean, and ensure it’s completely dry.
Step 2
Trim off and discard the stem end and the blossom end of the cucumber. The stem end can sometimes impart a bitter taste, so removing it is recommended. Once cleaned, slice the cucumber diagonally into bite-sized pieces. Slicing them not too thinly will help maintain their crisp texture.
Step 3
Slice the 1/4 onion into large, thick pieces, similar in thickness to the cucumber slices. Cut the chives into segments of about 3 cm (approximately 1.2 inches). Place the sliced cucumber and onion into a large bowl. Now, we’ll prepare the delicious seasoning to mix everything together.
Step 4
Now, let’s make the seasoning that will define the flavor of your cucumber salad. In a bowl, combine 1 tablespoon of gochujang, 4 teaspoons of gochugaru, and 2 tablespoons of water. Add 1 teaspoon of minced garlic and 2 teaspoons of sugar. Stir well until all the ingredients are thoroughly combined to create a flavorful seasoning paste.
Step 5
Pour the prepared seasoning over the cucumber and onion mixture. Gently mix everything together, ensuring the seasoning coats the cucumber and onion evenly. Finally, add the chopped chives, 1 tablespoon of sesame oil, and a little toasted sesame seeds. Mix once more, gently tossing the ingredients. When adding the chives, avoid overmixing or mashing them vigorously; handle them gently to preserve their fresh aroma and prevent a ‘raw’ taste, making the salad even more delicious. Your delicious cucumber salad is ready!
