Crispy Pickled Cucumber Salad (Oiji Muchim)
The Best Appetizer for a Lack of Appetite! Crispy, Sweet, Sour, and Spicy Pickled Cucumber Salad
Oiji Muchim is a perfect summer side dish, but it’s especially delicious when you’re not feeling hungry, just like these days. The refreshing crunch of the oiji combined with the sweet, sour, and spicy seasoning will revive your appetite. It’s a simple yet incredibly flavorful dish, so let’s make it right away!
Main Ingredients- 5 Oiji (Korean pickled cucumbers)
- A little bit of green onion (finely chopped)
- 1 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1 Tbsp maesilcheong (Korean plum syrup)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Hello everyone! Today, we’re going to make a deliciously crispy Oiji Muchim.
Step 2
Well-preserved oiji can be stored in the kimchi refrigerator, making it convenient to take out and enjoy whenever you want. You can either mix it right away or serve it as a side dish with your rice. It’s quite versatile!
Step 3
Slice the oiji as thinly as possible. Thinly sliced oiji allows the seasoning to penetrate better and results in a more tender texture. Aim for about 0.2 cm thickness.
Step 4
Soak the sliced oiji in cold water for about 20 minutes to remove excess saltiness. It’s even better if you change the water once or twice during this time. Thoroughly removing the saltiness prevents the dish from being too salty and ensures a delicious flavor.
Step 5
After soaking, place the oiji in a clean cheesecloth or thin cotton cloth and squeeze out as much water as possible by pressing down firmly with your hands. Properly draining the water is crucial to prevent the salad from becoming watery and to ensure the seasoning mixes well.
Step 6
Add all the seasoning ingredients to the drained oiji. Combine sesame oil, toasted sesame seeds, plum syrup, gochugaru, minced garlic, and the finely chopped green onion.
Step 7
Now, gently mix everything together with your hands. Be careful not to mash the oiji; toss it lightly. It’s important to mix thoroughly so that the seasoning coats every piece of oiji evenly.
Step 8
There you have it – your delicious Oiji Muchim is ready! Doesn’t it look appetizing?
Step 9
The combination of the wonderfully crisp oiji texture and the tangy, sweet, and spicy seasoning is truly exceptional.
Step 10
This is a charming side dish that you’ll crave not only during the hot summer but also in the less appetizing winter months. Please feel welcome to visit our dining table anytime and enjoy a delightful meal with our Oiji Muchim!
