Crisp and Refreshing Summer Delight: How to Make Pickled Cucumber Salad (Nokak Muchim)
Easy Side Dish Recipe: Making Refreshing and Crunchy Nokak Muchim
The perfect summer side dish that’s cool and crunchy. Nokak Muchim is a refreshing salad made with Korean cucumber.
Main Ingredients- 1 Korean cucumber (nokak, large size)
- 2 Tbsp coarse sea salt (for salting)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare a fresh Korean cucumber (nokak). Wash it thoroughly and peel the skin thinly using a peeler. Then, cut the cucumber in half lengthwise.
Step 2
You’ll notice seeds in the center of the cut cucumber. These seeds are soft and not ideal for texture, so scoop them out with a spoon or cut them away. Slice the cucumber without the seeds into pieces about 0.5 cm thick. Avoid slicing them too thinly, as they might become mushy.
Step 3
Add 2 tablespoons of coarse sea salt to the sliced cucumber and mix well. Let it salt for 20 minutes to draw out moisture. This step is crucial for achieving a crunchy texture. Gently toss the cucumber halfway through the salting process for even results.
Step 4
After 20 minutes of salting, rinse the cucumber lightly in cold water 2-3 times to remove excess salt. Be careful not to rinse for too long, as this can wash away the cucumber’s flavor.
Step 5
Squeeze out as much water as possible from the rinsed cucumber using your hands. This step is vital for the crunchiness of the nokak muchim, so ensure you remove as much liquid as you can. Using a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth can help with this.
Step 6
Place the squeezed cucumber in a bowl. Add all the seasoning ingredients (gochujang, gochugaru, minced garlic, plum extract) and gently mix with your hands. Toss carefully to avoid mashing the cucumber. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed, by adding more plum extract for sweetness or gochugaru for spice.
Step 7
Finally, sprinkle generously with toasted sesame seeds to complete this appetizing nokak muchim. For an extra touch of color and freshness, you can garnish with finely chopped green onions. It’s delicious right away, but chilling it in the refrigerator for a short while will make it even more refreshing.
