Crispy and Delicious Stuffed Cucumbers (Oi Sobak-i) Recipe
Crispy and Delicious Stuffed Cucumbers (Oi Sobak-i) Recipe
Summer Delight! Easy and Crispy Stuffed Cucumber Kimchi Recipe for Beginners
Here’s a simple recipe for making delicious and crispy stuffed cucumber kimchi at home. Packed with fresh cucumbers and a colorful mix of vegetables, this Oi Sobak-i is bursting with savory flavor and makes a perfect side dish or snack! Follow Olive’s easy-to-understand instructions to create your own delicious stuffed cucumbers.
Stuffed Cucumber Ingredients- 6 cucumbers
- 2 Tbsp coarse salt (for brining cucumbers)
- 120g chives
- 1/2 carrot
- 1/2 onion
- 5 green onions (scallions)
- 1 Tbsp sugar (for vegetable brine)
Glutinous Rice Paste Ingredients- 100ml water
- 1 Tbsp glutinous rice flour
Kimchi Seasoning Ingredients- 35g minced garlic (approx. 2.5 Tbsp)
- 7g minced ginger (approx. 1.5 tsp)
- 2 Tbsp plum extract (maesilcheong)
- 1 Tbsp fish sauce (or Korean soy sauce for soup)
- 1 Tbsp salted fermented shrimp (minced)
- 3 Tbsp glutinous rice paste
- 6 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, adjust to taste)
- 100ml water
- 1 Tbsp glutinous rice flour
Kimchi Seasoning Ingredients- 35g minced garlic (approx. 2.5 Tbsp)
- 7g minced ginger (approx. 1.5 tsp)
- 2 Tbsp plum extract (maesilcheong)
- 1 Tbsp fish sauce (or Korean soy sauce for soup)
- 1 Tbsp salted fermented shrimp (minced)
- 3 Tbsp glutinous rice paste
- 6 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, adjust to taste)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, make the glutinous rice paste and let it cool. In a pot, combine 100ml water and 1 Tbsp glutinous rice flour, whisking until smooth. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens into a paste. Remove from heat and let it cool completely. (It’s best to make this in advance!)
Step 2
Wash the cucumbers thoroughly. Gently rub the cucumbers with coarse salt to clean them effectively. Rinse under running water 2-3 times until clean.
Step 3
Trim the ends of the cucumbers, then cut them into approximately 3 equal pieces. Make a cross (+) shaped cut about three-quarters of the way down each piece, creating pockets for the filling. If the cucumbers are very large, you can cut them into 4 pieces.
Step 4
Insert about 1/2 Tbsp of coarse salt into the slits of each cucumber piece. Make sure the salt gets into the inner parts where the cucumber pieces meet. Let them brine at room temperature for about 50 minutes. Flip them once halfway through to ensure even brining. (Be careful not to press down too hard!)
Step 5
While the cucumbers are brining, prepare the filling ingredients. Chop the chives into 3-4 cm lengths. Finely julienne the carrot and onion. Cut the green onions into similar lengths. (Carrots and onions are optional but add a richer flavor.)
Step 6
Prepare the kimchi seasoning. In a large bowl, combine 6 Tbsp gochugaru, 35g minced garlic, 7g minced ginger, 2 Tbsp plum extract, 1 Tbsp fish sauce, 1 Tbsp minced salted fermented shrimp, and 3 Tbsp of the cooled glutinous rice paste. Mix well to create the seasoning paste. You can add 1 Tbsp of sugar for extra sweetness, according to your preference.
Step 7
Rinse the brined cucumbers gently under running water 2-3 times to remove excess salt. Drain them completely in a colander. Avoid squeezing them too hard, as this can reduce their crispiness; letting them drain naturally is best.
Step 8
Add the prepared vegetables (chives, carrot, onion, green onions) and the seasoning paste to the drained cucumbers. Gently mix everything together. It’s important to carefully mix so that the filling doesn’t fall out of the cucumber slits.
Step 9
Arrange the stuffed cucumbers in a container, with the slit side facing down. Gently press them down to secure the filling inside. This makes them look more appealing and helps distribute the seasoning evenly.
Step 10
The stuffed cucumbers can be eaten immediately, but for the best flavor, let them sit at room temperature for 1-2 days to ferment slightly before refrigerating. They will develop a delicious tangy flavor as they mature, becoming a perfect accompaniment to any meal!
