Crispy and Spicy Stir-Fried Cucumber Salad
The Best Side Dish for Home Meals! Sweet, Sour, and Spicy Cucumber Salad, Perfect with Grilled Pork!
Hello everyone! Today, I’m sharing a magical side dish that will make you devour a bowl of rice when you have no appetite: ‘Crispy and Spicy Stir-Fried Cucumber Salad’. The refreshing crunch of fresh cucumbers combined with a sweet, sour, and spicy dressing is absolutely delicious. It pairs wonderfully with fatty grilled meats like samgyeopsal (pork belly), cutting through the richness and enhancing the flavors. This cucumber salad is simple yet incredibly tasty. Let’s make it together right now!
Main Ingredients- 2 Cucumbers (medium-sized)
- 2g Coarse Salt (approx. 1/2 tsp)
- 1 Onion (medium-sized)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, wash the cucumbers thoroughly to remove any residue. You can gently scrape off the tough spines with a peeler or the back of a knife for a cleaner finish.
Step 2
Cut the prepared cucumbers into lengths of about 2-3 cm. Cutting them not too thinly will help maintain their crisp texture.
Step 3
Take the large cucumber pieces, cut them in half lengthwise, and then cut each half lengthwise again to create four wedges. This makes them a good bite size.
Step 4
Place the cut cucumbers in a large bowl and add 2g of coarse salt. Gently mix the cucumbers without breaking them. Salting draws out excess water, making them crispier and allowing them to absorb flavor better. Let them sit for about 5-10 minutes.
Step 5
While the cucumbers are salting, prepare the onion. Peel and wash the onion, then slice it into strips similar in length to the cucumber pieces, ensuring they aren’t too thin. If you prefer a milder onion flavor, you can soak the sliced onion in cold water for a bit.
Step 6
Now, let’s make the delicious dressing for the cucumber salad. In a clean bowl, combine 0.5 Tbsp gochujang, 2-2.5 Tbsp gochugaru (use 2.5 Tbsp for spicier, 2 Tbsp for milder), 1-1.5 Tbsp sugar (adjust sweetness to your liking), 0.5 Tbsp oligodang (for shine), 0.5 Tbsp soy sauce, 3 Tbsp vinegar (for that tangy kick), and 1 Tbsp minced garlic. Mix everything well until smooth, ensuring there are no lumps.
Step 7
Drain the water that has accumulated from salting the cucumbers. Gently squeeze out any excess water from the salted cucumbers. Be careful not to squeeze too hard, as this can make the cucumbers mushy.
Step 8
Add the squeezed cucumbers and the sliced onion to the bowl with the prepared dressing. Now, gently mix everything together with your hands until well combined. Ensure the cucumbers and onions are evenly coated with the dressing.
Step 9
Finally, sprinkle some sesame seeds on top for a nutty aroma, and your crispy and spicy cucumber salad is ready! It’s delicious right away, but if you let it chill in the refrigerator for a while, the flavors will meld even further. Enjoy it with freshly cooked rice or grilled meats!
