Chewy Pickled Cucumber Salad (Oiji Muchim)
Easy Side Dish: Deliciously Chewy Pickled Cucumber Salad (Oiji Muchim)
Take out the fermented cucumbers you preserved last year and quickly make this simple and flavorful pickled cucumber salad. Its satisfyingly chewy texture and savory-sweet seasoning will surely delight your taste buds.
Main Ingredients- 4 well-fermented pickled cucumbers (Oiji)
- 1/2 white part of a large green onion
Seasoning- 2 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- 1 Tbsp perilla oil (deulireum)
- A pinch of toasted sesame seeds
- 2 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- 1 Tbsp perilla oil (deulireum)
- A pinch of toasted sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare 4 well-fermented pickled cucumbers (Oiji). Slice them to a consistent thickness, not too thin, to ensure a pleasant chewiness.
Step 2
Place the sliced pickled cucumbers in cold water for about 5 to 10 minutes. This step helps to remove excess saltiness and any potential fermented smell, resulting in a cleaner taste. After soaking, rinse them gently and lightly squeeze out the water.
Step 3
Prepare the white part of the green onion. Slice it in half and then mince it as finely as possible. The fresh aroma of the green onion will blend beautifully with the seasoning, enhancing the overall flavor.
Step 4
It’s crucial to thoroughly squeeze out the water from the pickled cucumbers. You can do this by wrapping them in a clean cheesecloth and wringing it out firmly, or by placing them in a mesh bag (like those for dashi or broth) and squeezing. If using a mesh bag, be careful not to burst it as you apply pressure.
Step 5
To the well-drained pickled cucumbers, add the minced green onion, minced garlic, and gochugaru. Next, add a little sugar and salt. Finally, drizzle in 1 tablespoon of perilla oil for its nutty aroma and add a pinch of toasted sesame seeds for texture and flavor. Gently mix everything together with your hands, ensuring the seasoning is evenly distributed throughout the cucumbers.
Step 6
And there you have it! A delicious Oiji Muchim with a wonderfully chewy texture is ready. This is a fantastic side dish that will have everyone reaching for more with their rice.
