Crispy & Refreshing Cucumber Salad (Oi Muchim) – The Golden Recipe
Easy and Delicious Spicy-Sweet Cucumber Salad Recipe
This is a wonderfully crisp and appetizing cucumber salad! Having this refreshing Oi Muchim on the table can really awaken your palate. Here’s the golden recipe for a delicious cucumber salad that’s perfect for any meal.
Cucumber Salad Ingredients
- 2 cucumbers
- 1/6 onion (small size)
- 3 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 2 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- 2 Tbsp vinegar
- 1 Tbsp oligosaccharide (or sugar)
- 1.5 Tbsp sesame oil
- A pinch of sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Wash the 2 cucumbers thoroughly under running water. Gently pat them dry.
Step 2
Peeling the entire skin off the cucumbers can reduce their crispiness, while leaving it on might impart a slightly bitter taste. Use a vegetable peeler to remove strips of the green skin, creating a striped pattern. This enhances both texture and visual appeal.
Step 3
Cut the prepared cucumbers in half lengthwise. Then, slice them thinly on a bias (at an angle) to create crescent-moon shapes. Aim for a bite-sized cut.
Step 4
Place the sliced cucumbers into a large mixing bowl. Thinly slice the 1/6 onion and add it to the bowl with the cucumbers. The onion adds a touch of sweetness and a subtle pungent flavor that complements the cucumber.
Step 5
Now, let’s add the seasoning. Add 3 Tbsp of gochugaru, 2 tsp of salt, and 2 Tbsp of vinegar. Gently mix everything with your hands, ensuring the cucumbers and onions are evenly coated. It’s best to season it slightly on the saltier side initially, as the cucumbers will release some water later. Adjust the salt according to your preference.
Step 6
Finally, add 1 Tbsp of oligosaccharide (for sweetness), 1.5 Tbsp of sesame oil (for a nutty aroma), and a pinch of sesame seeds. Mix gently once more. Avoid overmixing after adding the sesame oil and seeds to maintain the cucumber’s crisp texture.
Step 7
Your delicious and crispy cucumber salad is ready! You can enjoy it as is. Alternatively, adding canned whelk (sannakji) to this mixture makes a fantastic whelk salad (Golbaengi Muchim). Enjoy this delightful dish when you need a palate refresher!
