Crispy & Spicy Sweet Cucumber Salad (Oimuchim)
Baek Jong-won’s Signature Cucumber Salad
When you have no side dishes or lack appetite, this gochujang-based cucumber salad is perfect for a quick mix and serve! The rich, savory sauce perfectly complements the cool, crunchy cucumbers. It’s a flavor explosion that will surely awaken your taste buds.
Main Ingredients
- 1 cucumber
- 1/2 onion
- 1 Cheongyang pepper (Korean chili pepper)
- 1 red chili pepper
Seasoning
- 1 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp Soy sauce (for savory flavor)
- 1 Tbsp Sugar
- 2 Tbsp Vinegar
- 1/2 Tbsp Minced garlic
- 1/2 Tbsp Sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp Toasted sesame seeds
- 1 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp Soy sauce (for savory flavor)
- 1 Tbsp Sugar
- 2 Tbsp Vinegar
- 1/2 Tbsp Minced garlic
- 1/2 Tbsp Sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp Toasted sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, wash the cucumber thoroughly using coarse salt. This helps to remove any bitterness and enhances its crispiness. Trim off the ends of the cucumber, then slice it thinly, about 2-3mm thick, on an angle. Slicing them thinly ensures the seasoning penetrates well.
Step 2
Finely chop the Cheongyang pepper (for spice) and the red chili pepper (for color). Removing the seeds beforehand can help control the heat level according to your preference.
Step 3
Peel and thinly julienne the half onion. Rinsing it under running water after slicing can mellow its sharp flavor slightly, adding a pleasant sweetness to the salad.
Step 4
Prepare the seasoning sauce. In a bowl, combine 1 Tbsp gochujang, 1 Tbsp gochugaru, 1 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp sugar, 2 Tbsp vinegar, and 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic. Mix everything well until there are no clumps. The balance of sugar and vinegar is key to a perfectly sweet and sour flavor.
Step 5
In a larger bowl, combine the sliced cucumber, julienned onion, and chopped chili peppers. Add the prepared seasoning sauce to the vegetables.
Step 6
Gently toss and mix the ingredients with your hands. Be careful not to mash the cucumber; a gentle mixing motion is best to ensure the seasoning is evenly distributed without making the cucumber mushy.
Step 7
Voila! Your delicious cucumber salad is ready. The satisfying crunch of the cucumber combined with the rich, savory gochujang sauce is truly delightful. The hint of sweetness and tanginess makes it an irresistible side dish that will make you want to eat more rice!
Step 8
This cucumber salad is best enjoyed immediately after preparation, as it can become watery over time. Mixing it just before serving preserves the optimal crispiness of the cucumber.
