Crispy and Refreshing Cucumber Salad (Oi Muchim)
Make a Flavorful Cucumber Salad That Will Boost Your Appetite!
A summer delicacy! Introducing a cucumber salad with a satisfying crunch and a sweet and sour taste. Create an impressive side dish with simple ingredients. It’s magically delicious and will bring back your appetite.
Main Ingredients- 894g cucumber (about 2-3 cucumbers)
- 1/2 onion
- 1 green onion
- 1 Tbsp coarse sea salt (for salting cucumbers)
- 1 Tbsp raw sugar or sugar (for salting cucumbers)
Seasoning Ingredients- 6 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1/4 Tbsp minced ginger (optional)
- 5 Tbsp anchovy sauce (or fish sauce)
- 3 Tbsp honey (or corn syrup)
- 2 Tbsp olive oil (or sesame oil)
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 6 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1/4 Tbsp minced ginger (optional)
- 5 Tbsp anchovy sauce (or fish sauce)
- 3 Tbsp honey (or corn syrup)
- 2 Tbsp olive oil (or sesame oil)
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Wash the cucumbers thoroughly under running water. Gently rub the bumpy surface with your thumb and index finger while washing for a cleaner result. Then, use the back of a knife or a peeler to lightly scrape off the bumps. (This step is optional but makes the salad smoother when dressed.)
Step 2
Trim the ends of the washed cucumbers. Cut them lengthwise into 5-6 segments, then slice them thinly and flatly to about 0.2 cm thickness. Slicing them too thick will prevent the seasoning from penetrating well, while slicing too thin can make them mushy, so aim for a moderate thickness.
Step 3
Add 1 Tbsp raw sugar (or sugar), 1 Tbsp coarse sea salt, and 5 Tbsp water to the sliced cucumbers. Gently mix them together. Salting and sugaring the cucumbers this way makes them crispier and easier to drain.
Step 4
Let the cucumbers sit for about 15 minutes after mixing with the salting ingredients to let them soften slightly. After 15 minutes, firmly squeeze out as much water as possible from the cucumbers with your hands. Properly draining the water will prevent the salad from becoming watery and allow the seasoning to adhere better.
Step 5
Peel and thinly slice the onion. If the onion is large, cut the slices in half to make them a more manageable size for the salad. Thinly slice the green onion, including the white and green parts. Slicing the vegetables now makes them ready to be mixed with the cucumbers.
Step 6
Add the sliced onion and green onion to the drained cucumbers. Also, add the minced garlic and minced ginger for flavor. Don’t add all the seasoning yet; just lightly mix these ingredients together.
Step 7
Now it’s time to add the main seasoning. Add 6 Tbsp gochugaru, 2 Tbsp minced garlic, and 1/4 Tbsp minced ginger. (For convenience, you can add the garlic and ginger from the previous step all at once.) Add the anchovy sauce and gently toss everything with your hands until the seasoning is evenly distributed and coats the cucumbers well.
Step 8
Start by adding 4 Tbsp of anchovy sauce and taste. Add another 1 Tbsp if needed, according to your preference. (Anchovy sauce can be salty and have a strong flavor, so always taste and adjust!) For a sweet and sour kick, add 3 Tbsp honey and 2 Tbsp olive oil, then mix thoroughly again. You can substitute sesame oil for olive oil for a nutty aroma. If you prefer it sweeter, add more honey or sugar.
Step 9
Finally, sprinkle 1 Tbsp of toasted sesame seeds and mix gently. Your crispy and delicious cucumber salad is ready! If the anchovy sauce flavor is too strong, reduce the amount and mix in some soy sauce or dark soy sauce. For a tangier taste, you can add 1-2 tsp of vinegar. Adjust the seasonings to your liking and enjoy!
