Refreshing Cucumber and Imitation Crab Salad (Oi Masal Naengchae)
Awaken Your Appetite with a Zesty and Cool Cucumber and Imitation Crab Salad!
To tantalize the taste buds of my family who love a tangy flavor, I’ve prepared this sweet and sour, refreshing cucumber and imitation crab salad. It’s a delightful dish to stimulate the palate!
Main Ingredients- 1 cucumber
- 1 pack imitation crab sticks (approx. 100g)
- 1/2 onion
- 1/4 carrot
Zesty Dressing- 4 Tbsp vinegar
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice (optional, can be omitted)
- 1/2 Tbsp sesame seeds
- 1/4 tsp mustard paste (adjust to taste)
- 1 pinch salt
- 4 Tbsp vinegar
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice (optional, can be omitted)
- 1/2 Tbsp sesame seeds
- 1/4 tsp mustard paste (adjust to taste)
- 1 pinch salt
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s prepare the dressing, the heart of this refreshing salad! In a bowl, combine 4 tablespoons of vinegar, 1 tablespoon of sugar, 1/2 tablespoon of minced garlic, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, 1/2 tablespoon of sesame seeds, and 1/4 teaspoon of mustard paste. Add a pinch of salt and whisk everything together until the sugar is dissolved. If you don’t have lemon juice, it’s perfectly fine to omit it, but it does add an extra layer of bright citrus flavor. Making the dressing in advance allows it to meld together beautifully.
Step 2
Next, we’ll prepare the fresh cucumber. Scrub the cucumber thoroughly with salt. This helps to remove any surface impurities and keeps it fresh. Trim off the ends, then cut the cucumber into four lengthwise.
Step 3
Now, let’s get the cucumber ready for the salad. Take the quartered cucumber and slice it thinly, following the curve. You’ll want to discard the seedy core and use only the outer flesh for the best texture. Feel free to save the seedy part for other dishes!
Step 4
Julienne the sliced cucumber into thin strips. The thinner you slice them, the better they will absorb the dressing and the more tender they will be.
Step 5
Now, let’s prepare the carrot and onion. Julienne both the carrot and the onion into thin strips, similar to the cucumber. Onions can sometimes have a sharp bite that some find overpowering. To mellow this out, soak the julienned onion in cold water for about 10 minutes. This will reduce its pungency, making it more pleasant in the salad. Drain the onion thoroughly after soaking.
Step 6
Gently shred the imitation crab sticks into thin strips. Shredding them along their natural lines will create a more appealing texture and help them mix well with the vegetables and dressing.
Step 7
It’s time to bring all our ingredients together! In a large mixing bowl, combine the julienned cucumber, carrot, and onion, along with the shredded imitation crab sticks. Pour the prepared zesty dressing generously over the ingredients.
Step 8
Finally, gently toss the vegetables and dressing together with your hands until everything is well combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the vegetables mushy. Your vibrant, refreshing cucumber and imitation crab salad is ready! It’s delicious served immediately, or you can chill it in the refrigerator for a bit for an even cooler, crisper experience.
