Crispy Korean Cucumber Salad (Oi Muchim): A Refreshing Blend of Sweet, Sour, and Spicy
Crispy Korean Cucumber Salad (Oi Muchim): A Refreshing Blend of Sweet, Sour, and Spicy
Easy and Quick Oi Muchim Recipe: An Appetizing Summer Side Dish
Introducing an Oi Muchim recipe that boasts a delightful crisp texture and a perfect balance of sweet, sour, and spicy flavors. Adding scallions and Cheongyang peppers gives it a wonderfully piquant kick. If you lightly salt the cucumbers beforehand, this salad also makes a fantastic topping for cold noodles or Janchi-guksu (Korean banquet noodles). It’s the ultimate simple summer side dish for the whole family!
Main Ingredients- 1 cucumber
- 1/2 onion
- 2 Cheongyang peppers (or green chilies)
Seasoning for Oi Muchim- 0.5 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp sugar
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 1 Tbsp sesame seeds
- 1.5 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 0.5 Tbsp vinegar
- 0.5 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp sugar
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 1 Tbsp sesame seeds
- 1.5 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 0.5 Tbsp vinegar
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare half an onion. Peel it, wash it thoroughly under running water, and then slice it into 8 wedges. It’s best to cut them into substantial pieces rather than very thin slices to maintain a good texture.
Step 2
Wash the cucumber under running water, trim off the ends, and slice it thinly into rounds, about 0.3 cm thick. Avoid slicing it too thin to ensure a satisfying crunch. Uniform thickness is key for an even texture.
Step 3
Remove the stems from the 2 Cheongyang peppers and finely chop them. If you enjoy more heat, feel free to add more. If serving to children, you might want to remove the seeds. Place all the prepared vegetables into a large bowl.
Step 4
Now it’s time to season the delicious Oi Muchim! Add all the seasoning ingredients listed below into the bowl with the cucumber, onion, and chilies, and mix them together.
Step 5
Add 0.5 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp sesame oil, 1 Tbsp sesame seeds, 1 tsp sugar, 0.5 tsp salt, 1.5 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes), and 0.5 Tbsp vinegar for that refreshing tang. Precise measurements will help achieve the best flavor.
Step 6
Once the seasoning is added, gently toss the ingredients with your hands, being careful not to mash the cucumber. The key is to mix delicately so the crispness of the vegetables is preserved. Your delicious Oi Muchim is now ready!
Step 7
Freshly made Oi Muchim is incredibly tasty right away! Enjoy it as a side dish, or chill it in the refrigerator for a refreshing treat. This is such a popular dish that it tends to disappear quickly, so you might find yourself wishing you’d made more. Many people enjoy making it fresh in small batches more frequently.
