Crisp and Refreshing Pickled Cucumber Salad (Nogaek Muchim)
No-Cook Summer Side Dish: Nogaek Muchim is Perfect for Hot Days!
On those scorching summer days when standing in front of the stove feels unbearable, try this quick and delicious side dish that requires no cooking! The delightful crunchy texture of this pickled cucumber salad (Nogaek Muchim) is wonderful with rice. Add a fried egg and a spoonful of gochujang (Korean chili paste) to mix with your rice for a truly special summer treat. ^^
Main Ingredients- 1 Korean cucumber (Nogaek)
- 1/2 Green onion, finely chopped
- 1 Tbsp Salt (for pickling)
Seasoning- 1 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp Sugar
- 1 Tbsp Minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp Vinegar
- 1/2 Tbsp Plum extract (Maesil-cheong)
- 1 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp Sugar
- 1 Tbsp Minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp Vinegar
- 1/2 Tbsp Plum extract (Maesil-cheong)
- 1 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, wash the Korean cucumber (Nogaek) thoroughly under running water. Then, use a vegetable peeler to thinly peel off the skin. If the skin feels a bit rough, make sure to peel it well.
Step 2
After peeling, cut the cucumber in half lengthwise. Use a spoon to scoop out and discard the seedy core. Removing too much of the seedy part will prevent the salad from becoming watery.
Step 3
Slice the cucumber into bite-sized pieces, about 0.5 cm thick. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of salt over the sliced cucumber and mix gently. Let it pickle for 30 minutes. It’s a good idea to give it a toss midway through.
Step 4
After 30 minutes, rinse the pickled cucumber lightly under cold running water to remove excess salt. Squeeze out as much water as possible with your hands; this is crucial to prevent the salad from becoming watery and diluted.
Step 5
To the squeezed cucumber, add all the seasoning ingredients (gochugaru, sugar, minced garlic, vinegar, plum extract, and gochujang), along with the finely chopped green onion. Gently mix and toss everything together until the seasoning is evenly distributed. Your delicious Nogaek Muchim is ready! You can enjoy it immediately for a crispier texture, or let it sit for a bit to allow the flavors to meld further.
