Spicy, Tangy, and Sweet Cucumber Salad (Oi Muchim)
The Ultimate Golden Ratio Recipe for Spicy, Tangy, and Sweet Cucumber Salad
Today, I’m sharing a golden recipe for a cucumber salad that is spicy, tangy, and sweet all at once. It’s incredibly refreshing and perfect as a side dish!
Main Ingredients
- 1 cucumber
- 1/2 onion
- 2 finger-joint length green onion (about 5cm)
Seasoning Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp oligosaccharide
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp vinegar
- 0.5 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 2 Tbsp oligosaccharide
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp vinegar
- 0.5 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, wash the cucumber thoroughly. Thinly slice the onion. Finely mince the green onion; this helps the seasoning distribute evenly. If you like it spicier, you can also finely chop some Cheongyang chili peppers at this stage.
Step 2
In a large bowl, combine the minced green onion and all the seasoning ingredients for your cucumber salad: 2 Tbsp oligosaccharide, 3 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp gochugaru, 1 Tbsp minced garlic, 1 Tbsp vinegar, 0.5 Tbsp sesame oil, and 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds.
Step 3
Add the thinly sliced onion to the seasoning mixture and mix well. Gently toss them together so the onion and seasonings begin to meld.
Step 4
Lightly mix this combination first to allow the flavors to start developing. This step helps the onion’s sweetness blend beautifully with the seasonings.
Step 5
Now it’s time to prepare the cucumber. Cut the cucumber in half lengthwise, and then slice it into approximately 0.5cm thick strips. Avoid slicing them too thinly, as they can become mushy. Place the sliced cucumber into the bowl, ready to be mixed with the seasoned onion.
Step 6
Finally, add the cucumber to the bowl and gently toss everything together until the seasoning is evenly coated. This completes your incredibly delicious spicy, tangy, and sweet cucumber salad! (Tip: Don’t overmix the cucumber, or it will release too much water. Gently toss just until everything is combined to maintain its crispness.)
Step 7
Transfer the finished cucumber salad to a serving dish. It’s absolutely delightful served with a bowl of freshly steamed rice!
