Quick and Refreshing Cucumber Salad (Oi Muchim)
Quick and Refreshing Cucumber Salad (Oi Muchim)
Easy & Delicious Korean Cucumber Salad Recipe
Here’s a super simple Korean cucumber salad (Oi Muchim) that you can whip up in 5 minutes when you’re short on side dishes. It’s a classic banchan featuring crisp cucumbers tossed in a perfectly balanced sweet, sour, and spicy dressing. Its refreshing taste is incredibly appetite-whetting and pairs wonderfully with rice. Enjoy this staple Korean side dish anytime!
Main Ingredients- 1.5 cucumbers (small size)
- 1/4 onion
- 1/2 red chili pepper
Seasoning- 1/2 Tbsp Korean soy sauce for soup (guk-ganjang)
- 1.5 Tbsp red chili flakes (gochugaru)
- 1/3 tsp salt (for taste)
- 2 Tbsp plum extract (maesilcheong)
- 2 Tbsp vinegar
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp sesame seeds
- 1/2 Tbsp Korean soy sauce for soup (guk-ganjang)
- 1.5 Tbsp red chili flakes (gochugaru)
- 1/3 tsp salt (for taste)
- 2 Tbsp plum extract (maesilcheong)
- 2 Tbsp vinegar
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Wash the cucumbers thoroughly. Use a vegetable peeler to remove the skin. Then, slice each cucumber in half lengthwise, and then thinly on a diagonal (about 0.5 cm thick). This cutting technique helps the dressing penetrate better and improves the texture.
Step 2
Peel the onion and slice it thinly into slivers. Cut the red chili pepper in half, remove the seeds, and then thinly slice it into slivers as well. The chili will add a pleasant heat and vibrant color to the salad.
Step 3
In a mixing bowl, combine 1/2 Tbsp guk-ganjang, 1.5 Tbsp gochugaru, 1/3 tsp salt, 2 Tbsp maesilcheong, 2 Tbsp vinegar, and 1 Tbsp sesame oil. (Do not add the sesame seeds yet; they are for garnish.) Stir the ingredients with a spoon until well combined, creating a delicious dressing.
Step 4
Add the sliced cucumbers, onions, and red chili peppers to the prepared dressing. Gently toss everything together with your hands until the vegetables are evenly coated with the seasoning. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the cucumbers mushy; a light toss is best.
Step 5
Finally, sprinkle 1 Tbsp of sesame seeds over the salad. Rubbing the sesame seeds lightly between your palms before sprinkling can release their fragrant aroma.
Step 6
Transfer the well-mixed cucumber salad to a serving dish. Your delicious, crisp, sweet, sour, and slightly spicy Oi Muchim is ready to be enjoyed! It’s fantastic served alongside warm rice.
