Cucumber and Spicy Pepper Salad (Oi Gochu Muchim)
Crisp, Sweet, and Tangy Cucumber and Spicy Pepper Salad! Perfect for Stimulating Your Appetite!
Utilizing readily available Korean cucumbers (oibaeng-i) and spicy green peppers (oi gochu), we’ve created a simple yet refreshing salad. Its sweet and tangy flavor, combined with a delightful crunch, is sure to awaken your taste buds, making it a perfect accompaniment to any meal. The harmony between the fresh, crisp vegetables and the vibrant, sweet and spicy dressing is truly exceptional!
Main Ingredients- 2-3 Korean cucumbers (Gasi Oi)
- 4-5 Korean spicy green peppers (Oi Gochu)
- 1 tsp coarse salt (for salting cucumbers)
Seasoning- 1-1.5 Tbsp red pepper flakes (adjust to your preference)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1.5 Tbsp 2x concentrated apple vinegar
- 1 Tbsp oligodang (corn syrup)
- A pinch of sugar
- A pinch of salt or soy sauce (to taste)
- A pinch of toasted sesame seeds
- 1-1.5 Tbsp red pepper flakes (adjust to your preference)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1.5 Tbsp 2x concentrated apple vinegar
- 1 Tbsp oligodang (corn syrup)
- A pinch of sugar
- A pinch of salt or soy sauce (to taste)
- A pinch of toasted sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, gently scrub the Korean cucumbers (Gasi Oi) with a soft scrubber to clean the skin. Pat them dry and slice them into approximately 0.5 cm thick rounds, not too thin.
Step 2
Add 1 teaspoon of coarse salt to the sliced cucumbers and mix well. Let them sit for about 10 minutes to slightly wilt. This process draws out excess moisture, enhancing their crispiness. Rinse the salted cucumbers lightly under cold water and gently squeeze out any excess water.
Step 3
Wash the Korean spicy green peppers (Oi Gochu) thoroughly, pat them dry, and slice them into about 1 cm lengths. You can remove the seeds if you prefer.
Step 4
Now, combine all the seasoning ingredients in a bowl to create a delicious dressing. Mix together the red pepper flakes, minced garlic, apple vinegar, oligodang, sugar, salt (or soy sauce), and toasted sesame seeds until well combined. *Feel free to adjust the tanginess and sweetness of the seasoning to your personal taste! Taste and add more salt if needed.
Step 5
Place the drained, salted cucumbers into a mixing bowl.
Step 6
Add the sliced Korean spicy green peppers to the bowl with the cucumbers.
Step 7
Pour the prepared dressing evenly over the cucumbers and spicy peppers.
Step 8
Gently toss everything together until the dressing is well distributed and coats the vegetables. Be careful not to mix too vigorously, as this can bruise the ingredients. Your refreshing, sweet, and tangy cucumber and spicy pepper salad is ready to be enjoyed!
