Crisp & Refreshing Korean Cucumber Salad (Oi Muchim)
Crisp & Refreshing Korean Cucumber Salad (Oi Muchim)
A Cool and Crunchy Summer Side Dish: Easy Oi Muchim Recipe
If you have two cucumbers, you can make this incredibly refreshing side dish that disappears in no time! It’s the perfect accompaniment to any meal during the hot summer months. Subscribe and like for more delicious side dish recipes – it’s free! (Psst!)
Main Ingredients- 2 cucumbers
- 1/2 onion
- 1/2 green onion (scallion)
- 1 red chili pepper
- 1 Tbsp coarse salt (for salting cucumbers)
Seasoning Ingredients- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp vinegar
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp vinegar
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Thoroughly wash the 2 cucumbers by rubbing their skins with 1 tablespoon of coarse salt. This helps remove any residual pesticides and the bumpy texture on the skin, ensuring a cleaner taste.
Step 2
Trim off about 1cm from both ends of each cucumber, as these parts can sometimes be bitter. Next, place a cucumber flat on a cutting board. Position a chopstick alongside the cucumber, and slice diagonally towards yourself, stopping at the chopstick. The chopstick acts as a guide to help you achieve uniform thickness.
Step 3
Turn the cucumber over and repeat the slicing process, again using the chopstick as a guide. Slicing this way creates wider surfaces, allowing the seasoning to penetrate better and resulting in a more satisfying, crisp texture.
Step 4
Cut the sliced cucumbers into roughly 3 to 4 pieces each, making them bite-sized. Pre-cutting them now will make them easier to mix with the dressing later.
Step 5
In a large bowl, add 700ml of water and dissolve 1 tablespoon of coarse salt. Submerge all the sliced cucumbers in this saltwater solution and let them salt for about 30 minutes. This process draws out excess water from the cucumbers, enhancing their crispness and preparing them to absorb the flavors.
Step 6
After salting, drain the cucumbers in a colander and rinse them lightly under cold running water to remove excess salt. Then, firmly squeeze out as much water as possible by hand. This is crucial to prevent the final dish from becoming watery and diluted.
Step 7
Thinly slice 1/2 onion, and finely chop 1/2 green onion. Slice 1 red chili pepper diagonally into thin strips for a pop of color. Combine the prepared vegetables and the squeezed cucumbers in a bowl. Add the pre-mixed seasoning ingredients (1 Tbsp soy sauce, 2 Tbsp vinegar, 2 Tbsp sugar, 1 Tbsp minced garlic) to the bowl.
Step 8
Gently mix everything together with your hands until well combined. While it’s delicious right away, chilling it in the refrigerator for about an hour allows the flavors to meld beautifully, creating the perfect summer side dish with enhanced coolness and depth. Enjoy this magically disappearing dish! : )
