Crisp and Refreshing Cucumber Salad (Oi Muchim) Golden Recipe
Crisp Oi Muchim following Baek Jong-won’s recipe! Make a Rice-Stealing Side Dish with Simple Seasoning
Cucumbers are popular as a side dish because they can be enjoyed fresh year-round. This Oi Muchim is especially good as a special treat when you have a poor appetite, and it’s also a healthy and delicious dish that can be incorporated into diet meals. You can make it easily and quickly with one or two cucumbers from your fridge.
Ingredients (Measurements: based on Korean soup spoon)
- 1 cucumber (approx. 182g, after trimming)
- 40g onion
- 1.2 Tbsp green onion (chopped)
- 0.3 Tbsp minced garlic
- 4 pinches salt (for seasoning adjustment)
- 0.6 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 0.5 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1.5 Tbsp vinegar
- Sesame seeds for garnish
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, it’s important to wash the cucumbers thoroughly. Scrub the skin with coarse salt. Trim off both ends, then slice them thinly to about 3-4mm thickness. If they are too thick, the seasoning won’t penetrate well.
Step 2
Thinly slice the onion to about 3mm thickness, similar to the cucumbers. Chop the green onion and measure out 0.3 Tbsp of minced garlic. Preparing the ingredients in advance like this makes the cooking process much smoother.
Step 3
Now it’s time to make the seasoning that will determine the flavor of your Oi Muchim. In a bowl, combine 1 Tbsp sugar, 1 Tbsp Gochugaru, 1.5 Tbsp vinegar, 1 Tbsp soy sauce, 0.5 Tbsp sesame oil, and 0.6 Tbsp Gochujang. Stir well with a spoon until all ingredients are evenly mixed. Be careful not to let the seasoning clump.
Step 4
Add the sliced cucumbers, onion, chopped green onion, and minced garlic to the bowl with the prepared seasoning. Prepare everything so that all ingredients can be well combined with the seasoning.
Step 5
Now it’s time to mix everything thoroughly. Use a spoon to gently toss and mix the ingredients, ensuring the seasoning coats the cucumbers and vegetables evenly. Alternatively, you can wear disposable gloves and mix gently with your hands; this helps the seasoning penetrate better and preserves the texture. Be careful not to mash the cucumbers by mixing too vigorously.
Step 6
Taste and adjust the seasoning. If it feels a bit bland, add about 4-5 more pinches of salt and mix again thoroughly. Getting the seasoning just right is key for that perfectly balanced flavor, like Baek Jong-won’s Oi Muchim.
Step 7
Finally, sprinkle some sesame seeds over the Oi Muchim for added nuttiness, and your delicious Oi Muchim recipe is complete! This simple yet elegant side dish will enrich your dining table.
