Crisp Sweet and Sour Quick Oi Muchim (Seasoned Cucumber Salad)

Name: Crisp Sweet and Sour Quick Oi Muchim (Seasoned Cucumber Salad)
Cook time: 5 min
Cuisine: Korean
Ingredients: Cucumber — 1 (200 g); Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) — 1 tbsp; Salt — 1 tsp; Minced garlic — 1 tsp; Minced green onion — 0.5 tbsp; Sugar — 0.5 tbsp; Vinegar — 1 tbsp; Toasted sesame oil — a little; Toasted sesame seeds; Cucumber — 1 (200 g); Salt — 0.5 tbsp; Sand lance fish sauce — 2 tsp; Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) — 1 tbsp; Sugar — 1 tsp; Vinegar — 1 tbsp; Minced green onion — 0.5 tbsp; Minced garlic — 1 tsp; Toasted sesame oil — a little; Toasted sesame seeds — as well

A sweet and sour cucumber banchan made in 5 minutes without salting beforehand.

Translated from Korean by AI and not yet checked by a native speaker. Amounts and numbers are taken directly from the original recipe. Read the Korean original →

Crisp Sweet and Sour Quick Oi Muchim (Seasoned Cucumber Salad) — finished dish

Summary

You can enjoy this dish in two ways: a quick version tossed in 5 minutes using julienned cucumber without salting, or a salted version flavored with savory fish sauce. You can make it spicy to your taste, and it also works well as a topping for spicy noodles or tossed with seasonal greens.

Servings: 2–3 servings
Cook time: 5 minprep not included
Difficulty: Medium
Spiciness: Mildly spicy

Ingredients

Julienned Cucumber Salad Ingredients

Cucumber1 (200 g)

Julienned Cucumber Salad Seasoning

Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)1 tbsp
Salt1 tsp
Minced garlic1 tsp
Minced green onion0.5 tbsp
Sugar0.5 tbsp
Vinegar1 tbsp
Toasted sesame oila little
Toasted sesame seeds

Seasoned Cucumber Salad Ingredients

Cucumber1 (200 g)
Salt0.5 tbsp

Seasoned Cucumber Salad Seasoning

Sand lance fish sauce (or dried anchovies)2 tsp
Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)1 tbsp
Sugar1 tsp
Vinegar1 tbsp
Minced green onion0.5 tbsp
Minced garlic1 tsp
Toasted sesame oila little
Toasted sesame seedsas well

Measurements · 1 tbsp = 15 ml (a heaping regular dinner spoon) · 1 tsp = 5 ml (a heaping teaspoon)

You know how to wash cucumbers, right? Just rub the cucumber with coarse sea salt in your hand and rinse it in water.
There are two seasoning versions. It is also delicious tossed with seasonal greens. Pick whichever fits your taste.
If you do not like fish sauce, season with salt or soy sauce instead, and adjust the amount of sugar and vinegar to your liking.

Steps

You know how to wash cucumbers, right? Just rub the cucumber with coarse sea salt in your hand and rinse it in water.
Thinly julienne the cucumber.
Add all the seasoning ingredients to the julienned cucumber and gently toss together.
1. Cut the cucumber in half lengthwise and slice diagonally. Cut into any shape you prefer.
2. Add half a tablespoon of salt and let sit for at least 10 minutes.
3. Pour off the salty water and pat the moisture away thoroughly.
4. Place the cucumber and seasoning in a bowl and gently toss by hand.
If you do not like fish sauce, season with salt or soy sauce instead, and adjust the amount of sugar and vinegar to your liking.
In our home, we also add a bit of minced Cheongyang chili pepper (hot green chili) for a spicy kick.

Ppunwife's tips

You can eat this julienned cucumber salad right after tossing for a crisp texture, or make it ahead and enjoy it juicy once the liquid releases.
Tossing it with wild chives in spring or water dropwort (minari) these days adds a wonderful fresh fragrance to the cucumber salad.

FAQ

How should I wash the cucumbers?

Hold coarse sea salt in your hand, rub the surface of the cucumber, and rinse clean with water.

Can I use something else instead of fish sauce in the seasoning?

If you find fish sauce too strong, you can season with salt or soy sauce instead.

How is the unsalted julienned cucumber salad best enjoyed?

You can enjoy it right away for its crisp texture, or prepare it ahead of time and pile it generously over spicy noodles once its juicy liquid develops.