Crispy and Sweet & Sour Cucumber Salad (Oi Muchim)
The Perfect Simple Side Dish! Refreshing and Crispy Cucumber Salad Recipe
I absolutely love cucumbers! I realized some cucumbers at home were starting to get soft, so I quickly whipped up this cucumber salad. While some versions include balloon flowers, I prefer a clean taste with just cucumbers. This salad is wonderfully crisp and refreshing, making it a fantastic accompaniment to any meal. It’s a delightful treat, especially when served with rice. Enjoy this simple yet flavorful cucumber salad!
Ingredients- 1 Cucumber
- Sesame oil (optional, for serving)
- 1 Tbsp Sugar
- 1.5 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 2 Tbsp Vinegar
- 0.5 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- Sesame seeds (for garnish)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, thinly slice the onion into strips. I’m not using a lot here, just enough to add a little flavor. To mellow out the sharpness and bring out some sweetness, soak the sliced onion in water for a few minutes, then drain it thoroughly.
Step 2
I’m using one cucumber for this recipe. (The leftover cucumber will be used for pickles!) First, gently rub the cucumber’s skin with coarse salt. This helps to clean the surface and remove any bitterness. After that, I lightly scraped off the bumpy parts of the cucumber skin with a vegetable peeler.
Step 3
Next, slice the prepared cucumber into bite-sized pieces. You can slice them thinly on an angle, but for a satisfyingly crisp bite, I prefer to cut them a bit thicker, about 0.5 cm thick.
Step 4
In a large bowl, combine the sliced cucumber and the drained, sliced onion.
Step 5
Now, let’s make the seasoning! Add 1 Tbsp sugar, 1.5 Tbsp gochugaru, 1 Tbsp soy sauce, 2 Tbsp vinegar, and 0.5 Tbsp minced garlic to a small bowl. Mix these ingredients well. Pour the seasoning over the cucumber and onion in the large bowl. Gently toss everything together to coat evenly, being careful not to mash the cucumber. You can start by mixing with a spoon, but for thorough coating, I found it best to put on food-safe gloves and gently mix with my hands. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed – add a bit more soy sauce or vinegar if you like. Finally, sprinkle with sesame seeds for garnish. Your delicious cucumber salad is ready!
Step 6
And there you have it – a perfectly sweet, sour, spicy, and wonderfully crisp cucumber salad! It’s incredibly simple to make. You can enjoy it right away for a fresh, crunchy taste, or let it sit for a while to let the flavors meld. This versatile Oi Muchim is a fantastic side dish, especially when you don’t have many other side dishes available. It’s delicious served over a bowl of hot rice. Enjoy your tasty meal!
