Crispy and Refreshing Cucumber Salad (Oi Muchim) – Chef Baek’s Recipe
Summer Side Dish Delight! Easy and Flavorful Baek Jong-won’s Cucumber Salad
This is a budget-friendly yet incredibly delicious cucumber salad, perfect for summer side dishes. Chef Baek’s recipe offers a wonderfully crisp texture and a refreshing, sweet-and-sour flavor that will make you reach for another bowl of rice.
Main Ingredients
- 3 cucumbers
- 1/2 onion
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, thoroughly wash the 3 cucumbers. Cut each cucumber in half lengthwise. Then, using a spoon, gently scrape out and remove the seeds from the center. Removing the seeds prevents excess moisture and helps maintain a crisp texture. After that, chop the cucumbers into bite-sized cubes, about 1.5 cm thick.
Step 2
Place the cubed cucumbers in a bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of coarse sea salt and mix well to coat the cucumbers evenly. Coarse sea salt effectively draws out moisture, making the cucumbers extra crisp. Let the cucumbers sit and salt-cure for about 30 minutes to soften slightly.
Step 3
While the cucumbers are salting, prepare the onion (1/2). The onion will add a nice crunch and sweetness. You can either thinly slice the onion or chop it into small pieces, similar in size to the cucumber cubes. Sliced onion offers more texture, while chopped onion blends better with the dressing. Choose based on your preference.
Step 4
Now, let’s make the delicious seasoning. In a separate bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of gochugaru (Korean chili flakes), 1 tablespoon of sugar, 1 tablespoon of maesil-cheong (plum extract), 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, 2 tablespoons of vinegar, 1 tablespoon of minced garlic, and finally, 1 tablespoon of toasted sesame seeds for nutty flavor. Whisk these ingredients together until well combined to create the seasoning paste.
Step 5
After 30 minutes of salting, the cucumbers will have released some water. Drain this water completely using a sieve. For extra dryness, gently pat the cucumbers with paper towels. This helps the seasoning adhere better and prevents the salad from becoming watery.
Step 6
Add the drained cucumbers and the prepared onion to a large mixing bowl. Pour the flavorful seasoning paste evenly over the cucumbers and onion.
Step 7
Now, gently mix everything together with your hands, like a gentle massage, until all the ingredients are thoroughly coated with the seasoning. Be careful not to mash the cucumbers; mix them just enough to ensure the dressing is evenly distributed. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, adding a pinch of salt or a little more soy sauce if desired.
Step 8
Your crispy and refreshing Baek Jong-won’s Cucumber Salad (Oi Muchim) is ready! This delightfully sweet, sour, and savory dish is a perfect palate-awakening side for summer meals. It’s delicious right away, but even better when chilled in the refrigerator for a short while!
