Crispy Seasoned Pickled Cucumbers (Oi Muchim) – A Summer Side Dish Recipe
Making Refreshing and Delicious Oi Muchim to Boost Your Appetite This Summer
Whip up this quick and easy Oi Muchim using well-fermented pickled cucumbers! Its crisp texture and sweet and sour flavor are truly exceptional, making it the perfect side dish to reignite your appetite on a hot summer day. Follow this detailed recipe, suitable for beginners, to create a delightful Oi Muchim.
Main Ingredients- 3 pickled cucumbers (Oiji)
- 1 Cheongyang chili pepper (seeds removed, finely chopped)
- 1 red chili pepper (seeds removed, finely chopped)
Seasoning Ingredients- 1 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp Plum extract (Maesil Cheong)
- 1 tsp Minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp Toasted sesame seeds
- 1 Tbsp Sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp Plum extract (Maesil Cheong)
- 1 tsp Minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp Toasted sesame seeds
- 1 Tbsp Sesame oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, rinse the pickled cucumbers thoroughly under running water and then slice them thinly. Be careful not to slice them too thick, as this can prevent the seasoning from penetrating well.
Step 2
Transfer all the thinly sliced pickled cucumbers into a mixing bowl.
Step 3
Pour cold water into the bowl, enough to submerge the cucumbers, to help remove their saltiness.
Step 4
Gently knead the pickled cucumbers with your hands. This ‘barak-barak’ motion helps to effectively remove excess salt.
Step 5
Rinse the kneaded cucumbers under running water two to three times until clean. Taste a piece, and if it’s still too salty, add a bit more water and knead and rinse again.
Step 6
Squeeze out as much water as possible from the rinsed pickled cucumbers by hand. It’s important to squeeze them well so the seasoned dish doesn’t turn out watery. Place the squeezed cucumbers back into the bowl.
Step 7
Add 1 tablespoon of gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) for a touch of spiciness.
Step 8
Gently mix the gochugaru into the cucumbers with your hands, ‘jo-mol-jo-mol’, until evenly coated.
Step 9
Prepare the chili peppers by removing the stems and seeds, then finely chop them diagonally (song-song썰기). They add color and a pleasant heat.
Step 10
Add the chopped chili peppers to the bowl with the pickled cucumbers.
Step 11
Now, add the remaining seasoning ingredients to enhance the flavor. Add 1 tablespoon of plum extract for sweetness, 1 teaspoon of minced garlic, 1 tablespoon of toasted sesame seeds for nuttiness, and 1 tablespoon of sesame oil for aroma.
Step 12
Mix everything together gently again with your hands, ‘jo-mol-jo-mol’, ensuring all the seasonings are well combined with the cucumbers and peppers. This thorough mixing is key to deliciousness.
Step 13
See? It’s truly that simple! Your crispy and flavorful Oi Muchim is now ready!
Step 14
Transfer the finished Oi Muchim to a serving dish. This is a fantastic side dish for rice, so be sure to give it a try!
