Crisp and Refreshing Cucumber and Chive Salad (Oi Buchu Muchim)
Make a Tangy Salad Side Dish with Seasonal Ingredients: Cucumber and Chive Salad
Spring seasonal side dish / Cucumber and chive salad. This refreshing salad is perfect for a light and flavorful addition to your meals, highlighting the crispness of cucumbers and the aromatic freshness of chives.
Main Ingredients- 1.5 cucumbers
- 2 handfuls of chives (approx. 100g)
- 20g minced green onion (approx. 2 Tbsp)
- 1 Tbsp coarse salt (for salting cucumbers)
Seasoning- 2 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp maesil-cheong (plum extract, or corn syrup)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp fish sauce (anchovy or sand lance)
- 2 Tbsp vinegar
- A pinch of sesame seeds
- 1 Tbsp salt (for salting cucumbers)
- 2 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp maesil-cheong (plum extract, or corn syrup)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp fish sauce (anchovy or sand lance)
- 2 Tbsp vinegar
- A pinch of sesame seeds
- 1 Tbsp salt (for salting cucumbers)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Wash the cucumbers thoroughly by rubbing them with coarse salt. This helps to remove any dirt or residue and also aids in making them crispier.
Step 2
Slice the washed cucumbers into half-moon shapes, about 0.5 cm thick. Add 1 Tbsp of coarse salt to the sliced cucumbers and gently massage them. Let them sit and pickle for about 15 minutes. This process draws out excess water and firms up the cucumber slices.
Step 3
Rinse the chives and shake off any excess water. Cut the chives into roughly 4 equal lengths, about 4-5 cm long.
Step 4
Gently squeeze the excess water out of the salted cucumbers with your hands. Be careful not to squeeze too hard, as this can make them mushy. In a mixing bowl, combine the squeezed cucumbers, chopped chives, and all the seasoning ingredients (gochugaru, sugar, maesil-cheong, minced garlic, fish sauce, and vinegar). Mix everything together gently.
Step 5
Add the minced green onion and sesame seeds to the bowl. Toss gently once more to combine. The sesame seeds add a lovely nutty aroma and texture.
Step 6
Your delicious and refreshing Cucumber and Chive Salad is ready! Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, perhaps with a tiny pinch of salt, though the fish sauce usually provides enough saltiness.
Step 7
Transfer the finished salad to a serving dish. This vibrant side dish pairs wonderfully with rice, grilled meats, or as a refreshing accompaniment to any Korean meal.
