Crispy Swirl Cucumber Salad (Hoeori Oi Muchim)
SNS Viral! How to Make Fun Swirl-Shaped Pickled Cucumbers (Hoeori Oi Muchim)
As the weather gets warmer, I start craving refreshing and crisp cucumber side dishes. But I wondered if there was something more unique than the usual cucumber salad, and decided to try a popular dish I saw on social media. This recipe creates visually appealing ‘swirl’ shaped cucumbers that are incredibly refreshing and delicious.
Main Ingredients- 2 cucumbers
- 1 red chili pepper (for color)
Cucumber Brining Ingredients- 100ml water
- 1 tbsp coarse salt (for washing and brining)
Sweet and Sour Dressing Ingredients- 1.5 tbsp sugar
- 0.5 tbsp salt
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 3 tbsp vinegar (adjust to taste)
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds (for nutty flavor)
- 100ml water
- 1 tbsp coarse salt (for washing and brining)
Sweet and Sour Dressing Ingredients- 1.5 tbsp sugar
- 0.5 tbsp salt
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 3 tbsp vinegar (adjust to taste)
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds (for nutty flavor)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the 2 cucumbers. Wash them thoroughly by rubbing them with coarse salt (about 1 tablespoon). Using a vegetable brush can help clean them more effectively.
Step 2
Before slicing, let’s create the special swirl shape. Place two wooden chopsticks parallel to each other on either side of the cucumber. Then, using a knife, make deep cuts into the cucumber, avoiding the sides where the chopsticks are. Be careful not to cut all the way through to the chopsticks, or the cucumber will separate. Flip the cucumber over and make the same cuts on the other side. This prepares the base for the beautiful swirl pattern.
Step 3
Dissolve 1 tablespoon of coarse salt in 100ml of water. Add the cut cucumbers to this brine and let them pickle for about 15 minutes. This step is crucial for maintaining the cucumber’s crispiness while allowing the flavors to penetrate.
Step 4
While the cucumbers are pickling, let’s make the delicious dressing. In a bowl, combine 1.5 tablespoons of sugar, 0.5 tablespoons of salt, 1 tablespoon of minced garlic, 3 tablespoons of vinegar, and 1 tablespoon of sesame seeds for a nutty aroma. Mix everything thoroughly. You can adjust the amount of vinegar to your preference.
Step 5
After 15 minutes, remove the pickled cucumbers from the brine and gently squeeze out excess water with your hands. Be careful not to crush the cucumbers. Carefully spread the prepared dressing into the cuts of each cucumber slice. Your visually appealing and delicious Swirl Cucumber Salad is now complete! For an extra touch of color, you can garnish with thinly sliced red chili pepper.
