Spicy & Sweet Refreshing Cucumber and Onion Salad
Spicy & Sweet Refreshing Cucumber and Onion Salad
Kim Soo-mi Style Cucumber and Onion Salad: A Delicious Side Dish with Gochujang Sauce
Hello everyone! I’m Ryu-i, a Naver Food influencer~^^ Today, I’m making a refreshing cucumber salad with delicious cucumbers that are always sold at a great price at my regular mart. I made this following Chef Kim Soo-mi’s recipe. By salting the cucumbers first and then seasoning them with a spicy Gochujang sauce, it turned into a delicious, sweet, and savory side dish that’s perfect with rice.
Main Ingredients- 2 cucumbers
- 1 onion
- 1 Tbsp coarse salt (for salting cucumbers)
Spicy & Sweet Dressing- 1.5 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1.5 Tbsp sugar
- 0.5 Tbsp fish sauce (anchovy)
- 0.5 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1-2 Tbsp water (to adjust dressing consistency)
- Sesame oil, to taste
- Toasted sesame seeds, to taste
- 1.5 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1.5 Tbsp sugar
- 0.5 Tbsp fish sauce (anchovy)
- 0.5 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1-2 Tbsp water (to adjust dressing consistency)
- Sesame oil, to taste
- Toasted sesame seeds, to taste
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, wash the cucumbers thoroughly. Rubbing them gently with a little coarse salt helps remove any impurities. Then, use a peeler to thinly peel the skin. Peeling the skin makes the salad smoother and cleaner tasting.
Step 2
Trim off the ends of the cucumbers, especially the stem part which can sometimes be bitter. Cut off a generous portion to ensure a clean flavor.
Step 3
Slice the cucumbers into large, bite-sized pieces. Avoid slicing them too thinly, as they can become mushy. Slightly thicker slices will help maintain a crisp texture.
Step 4
Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of coarse salt evenly over the sliced cucumbers and gently mix. Let them sit and salt for about 8 minutes. The cucumbers will wilt slightly and release water, becoming even crisper. Be careful not to over-salt, as they can become too salty or mushy.
Step 5
Slice the onion into large pieces, similar in size to the cucumber slices. Cutting them too thinly can lead to the dressing being too strong and spicy. Thicker cuts are recommended.
Step 6
Add the sliced onion to the bowl with the cucumbers and let them salt together for another 2-3 minutes. This step mellows the onion’s sharpness while enhancing its sweetness.
Step 7
Once the salting time is up, quickly rinse the cucumbers and onions under cold running water. Drain them thoroughly in a colander. Any remaining water can dilute the dressing, so it’s best to pat them dry with a kitchen towel to remove excess moisture.
Step 8
While the cucumbers and onions are salting, let’s make the delicious dressing! In a separate bowl, combine 1.5 Tbsp Gochujang, 2 Tbsp Gochugaru, 1.5 Tbsp sugar, 0.5 Tbsp fish sauce, and 0.5 Tbsp minced garlic. Add 1-2 Tbsp of water to reach your desired consistency. (Adjust water as needed). Do not add sesame oil or sesame seeds yet.
Step 9
Add the drained cucumbers and onions to the prepared dressing. Gently mix them together, ensuring the vegetables are evenly coated with the sauce. Be careful not to mash the cucumbers while mixing.
Step 10
Finally, just before serving, drizzle with sesame oil and sprinkle generously with toasted sesame seeds. Give it one last gentle toss, and your spicy, sweet, and crisp cucumber and onion salad is ready! This is the perfect side dish to stimulate your appetite, combining the fresh flavor of cucumbers with the savory dressing. Enjoy it immediately for the best taste!
