Crispy Korean Cucumber Salad (Oi Muchim) – Sumi’s Side Dish Recipe
The Golden Recipe for Sumi’s Side Dish Cucumber Salad: Incredibly Crispy!
Introducing the golden recipe for Sumi’s side dish cucumber salad, a simple yet incredibly crispy and delicious dish you can make at home. It’s the perfect rice-pairing side!
Main Ingredients- 1 cucumber
- 1/2 small onion
- A little bit of chives
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, wash the cucumbers thoroughly. The characteristic of Sumi’s side dish cucumber salad is to cut the cucumbers in a rustic, chunky style to preserve their crispiness. Don’t worry about perfect shapes; slice the cucumber diagonally and generously, turning it as you cut. Aim for a natural, substantial cut.
Step 2
Sprinkle a little salt over the sliced cucumbers and let them sit for about 10 minutes to lightly salt. This process draws out excess moisture, making the cucumbers extra crisp, and helps them absorb flavor better.
Step 3
Peel the onion and slice it thinly, then cut each slice in half. Wash the chives and cut them into pieces roughly the same length as the cucumber slices.
Step 4
Now, let’s get to seasoning! In Sumi’s recipe, the salted cucumbers are not transferred to a new bowl. The seasoning is done directly in the same bowl. Add the thinly sliced onion to the bowl with the salted cucumbers.
Step 5
Add the gochugaru, gochujang, sugar, minced garlic, and 1 tablespoon of water. (Tip: Since cucumbers release their own moisture, you can omit the water or adjust the amount based on how juicy your cucumbers are. The recipe suggests 1 Tbsp, but feel free to modify it.) Put on a pair of vinyl gloves and mix everything well, ensuring the seasoning is evenly distributed among the cucumber pieces. Take care to coat each piece.
Step 6
Once the seasoning is well mixed, add the chopped chives, sesame oil, and toasted sesame seeds. Toss gently one more time to combine. If you find the seasoning is not quite right, you can add a little fish sauce or more salt to adjust. I found the balance perfect without any additions.
Step 7
And there you have it – Sumi’s Side Dish Cucumber Salad, looking absolutely delicious and inviting! Doesn’t it make your mouth water? While cucumber salads are often made with round or diagonal slices, cutting them into these larger pieces really enhances the satisfying crunch when you bite into them. Plus, using the salted cucumbers directly ensures the flavors are perfectly absorbed. This is truly a fantastic side dish that pairs wonderfully with rice. Be sure to make it!
