Crispy Baek Jong Won’s Cucumber Salad Recipe
How to Make Fragrant and Fresh Baek Jong Won’s Cucumber Salad
Mini cucumbers are convenient as they have thinner, softer skins with no prickly hairs, making them easier to eat compared to regular cucumbers. While they can be used in various dishes, they are particularly delightful when prepared fresh and tossed without salting, to preserve their crisp texture. Today, we’ll be making Baek Jong Won’s famous cucumber salad. This recipe is simple yet incredibly delicious, perfect as a side dish for rice or as a refreshing accompaniment to drinks. Let’s get started!
Main Ingredients- 500g mini cucumbers (or regular cucumbers)
- 40g green onion (about 1/4 stalk)
Seasoning Ingredients- 2 Tbsp red pepper flakes
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1/2 Tbsp kosher salt (or regular salt)
- 4 Tbsp vinegar (adjust to your preference for tanginess)
- 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
- 2 Tbsp red pepper flakes
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1/2 Tbsp kosher salt (or regular salt)
- 4 Tbsp vinegar (adjust to your preference for tanginess)
- 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s prepare the cucumbers. Using mini cucumbers will make this dish even more tender and effortless. If mini cucumbers aren’t available, regular cucumbers work just fine. Select fresh, firm cucumbers.
Step 2
Now, let’s wash the cucumbers thoroughly. Fill a bowl with plenty of cool water and add 2 tablespoons of vinegar. Submerge the cucumbers in the vinegary water for about 5 minutes to help remove any pesticide residue. Afterward, rinse them under running clean water to ensure they are completely clean.
Step 3
It’s time to slice the cucumbers. Trim off both ends of each cucumber. Then, slice them into round pieces, about 0.5cm thick. Avoid slicing them too thinly, as they might lose their pleasant crunch. Aim for a consistent, moderate thickness.
Step 4
Slice the green onion into rounds as well. Green onions will add a wonderful aromatic quality and textural contrast to the cucumber salad. You can use a mix of the white and green parts.
Step 5
Now for the heart of this delicious cucumber salad: the seasoning! In a bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of red pepper flakes, 2 tablespoons of brown sugar, 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, 1/2 tablespoon of kosher salt, and 4 tablespoons of vinegar. Here’s a key tip: the amount of vinegar is crucial for a great cucumber salad. A generous amount of vinegar is needed to achieve that refreshing and deep flavor. Mix all the seasoning ingredients well until there are no clumps, creating your dressing.
Step 6
Transfer the sliced cucumbers and prepared green onions into a large bowl. Pour the prepared seasoning mixture over them. Gently toss everything together, ensuring the cucumbers and green onions are evenly coated with the dressing. Be careful not to overmix, as vigorous tossing can make the cucumbers mushy. A gentle mix is best to maintain that delightful crispness.
Step 7
Finally, sprinkle the toasted sesame seeds over the salad. This adds a lovely nutty aroma and makes the dish even more appealing visually.
Step 8
And there you have it – your wonderfully crisp, tangy, and slightly sweet Baek Jong Won’s Cucumber Salad is ready! It’s delicious served immediately, or you can chill it in the refrigerator for an even more refreshing taste. This dish is sure to be a crowd-pleaser and a star on your table!
