Crispy Pickled Cucumber Salad (Oi-ji Muchim): The Ultimate Side Dish
Oi-ji Muchim (Korean Pickled Cucumber Salad)
The perfect dish for when you have a reduced appetite! Introducing a delicious Oi-ji Muchim recipe with a wonderfully crunchy texture. It’s even easier because it’s made without cooking, and its sweet, sour, and spicy seasoning is a magical side dish that will have you finishing a bowl of rice in no time.
Main Ingredients- 8 Korean pickled cucumbers (Oi-ji)
- 3-4 Scallions
- 1 Red chili pepper
Seasoning Ingredients- 2 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp Minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp Toasted sesame seeds
- 1 Tbsp Sesame oil
- 2 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp Minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp Toasted sesame seeds
- 1 Tbsp Sesame oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
This recipe uses Oi-ji that has been pickled with sugar and salt without any cooking. Using store-bought pickled cucumbers is convenient and delicious.
Step 2
Slice the pickled cucumbers into bite-sized pieces. Lightly rinse the sliced cucumbers in cold water. Since the saltiness can vary greatly between different brands of pickled cucumbers, it’s important to taste after rinsing and adjust the seasoning. Squeeze out any excess water thoroughly. Wash and finely chop the scallions and red chili pepper. Removing the seeds from the red chili pepper before chopping will make it look cleaner.
Step 3
In a large bowl, combine the squeezed pickled cucumbers, gochugaru, toasted sesame seeds, and the chopped scallions and red chili pepper. Gently mix everything together with your hands, ensuring the seasoning coats the cucumbers evenly. Be careful not to mash the cucumbers too hard, as they can break apart.
Step 4
Finally, drizzle in 1 tablespoon of sesame oil and give it one last gentle toss to finish. The nutty aroma of the sesame oil will further enhance the flavor of the pickled cucumber salad.
Step 5
This deliciously prepared pickled cucumber salad is an excellent accompaniment to rice. It’s so good that you won’t need any other side dishes! Be sure to give this recipe a try!
