Best 5 Refreshing Korean Cucumber Salad Recipes

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## Dive into the Refreshing Korean Cucumber Salad: A Culinary Symphony of Flavors and Textures

Korean cucumber salad, known as "Oi Muchim" in Korean, is a delightful side dish that offers a refreshing and vibrant addition to any meal. It is a staple in Korean cuisine and is often served alongside grilled meat, rice, or noodles. Made with crisp cucumbers, tangy vinegar, and a medley of seasonings, this salad is a symphony of flavors and textures that will tantalize your taste buds.

The key to a great Korean cucumber salad lies in the selection of fresh, firm cucumbers. Ideally, pick cucumbers that are about 6-8 inches long and have a deep green color. Once sliced, the cucumbers are tossed in a flavorful dressing made with rice vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, and a hint of sweetness from sugar or honey. This tangy and slightly sweet dressing perfectly complements the crispness of the cucumbers, creating a harmonious balance of flavors.

In this article, we present to you two delectable variations of the classic Korean cucumber salad. The first recipe introduces a traditional version that showcases the simplicity and purity of this dish. The second recipe offers a spicy twist, adding a kick of heat with the inclusion of red pepper flakes. Both recipes are easy to follow and require minimal ingredients, making them perfect for home cooks of all skill levels.

Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!

EASY KOREAN CUCUMBER SALAD (OI MUCHIM)



Easy Korean Cucumber Salad (Oi Muchim) image

This spicy Korean cucumber salad has a refreshing crunch in every bite, coated with a delicious sauce that's garlicky, savory, and tangy with a touch of sweetness. This quick & easy side dish comes together in a single bowl and makes for the perfect dish to add to your dinner table.

Provided by Elle

Categories     Salad     Side Dish

Time 10m

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 (260g) English cucumber (or 3 small cucumbers)
1/4 onion (sliced)
1 green onion (chopped)
3 cloves garlic (minced)
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp rice vinegar (or white vinegar)
1 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp sesame oil
1 tbsp Gochugaru (or to taste)
1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)

Steps:

  • Thinly slice the cucumber to about 1/4 inch thickness. Combine all dressing ingredients in a bowl.
  • Add the sliced cucumbers to a large mixing bowl. Add onion, green onion, garlic, and dressing over the cucumbers.
  • Toss well with your hands or a pair of tongs until the cucumbers are evenly coated, about 2-3 minutes. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 94 kcal, ServingSize 1 serving

KOREAN CUCUMBER SALAD (OI MUCHIM 오이무침)



Korean Cucumber Salad (Oi Muchim 오이무침) image

A simple light Korean cucumber side dish that's like a salad. Very light seasoning allows the cucumber flavor to stand out.

Provided by JinJoo Lee

Categories     Salad

Time 5m

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 cucumber ((Japanese, English, Persian, Pickling are all good) - about 1 1/2 cup sliced for 1 cucumber)
1 Tbsp soy sauce ((Jin Ganjang))
2 Tbsp rice vinegar
1 Tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp Korean red chili powder
1/4 tsp sesame seeds
2 green onions (, chopped)

Steps:

  • Slice cucumbers into thin slices. Around 1/8 inch (3 mm).
  • Mix soy sauce, vinegar and sugar in a bowl. Pour soy vinegar into the bowl with cucumbers.
  • Then, add 1/2 tsp chili powder and sesame seeds. Mix and taste. Add more chili powder if you want. Doing it in this order allows you to taste and control the amount of chili powder based on how spicy you want it.
  • Add chopped green onions and mix again.
  • YOU ARE DONE!! Serve immediately for the most fresh and crunchy cucumber flavor. You can also let it sit for 10-15 minutes for the cucumbers to absorb the dressing before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 60 kcal, Carbohydrate 12 g, Protein 1 g, Sodium 468 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 9 g, ServingSize 1 serving

EASY KOREAN CUCUMBER SALAD



Easy Korean Cucumber Salad image

This was the first salad my Korean friends served me, and it has been my favorite way to eat cucumber since! The cucumbers I use are about 16 inch long, which is perfect for 4 servings. If using smaller cucumbers, use about one small per serving. It should make about 1 lb for 4 servings Cooking time is chilling time.

Provided by Mia in Germany

Categories     < 60 Mins

Time 40m

Yield 4 , 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 lb cucumber
1/2 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1/2 teaspoon rice vinegar
1/4 teaspoon chili powder
1 tablespoon sesame seeds, toasted
salt, to taste

Steps:

  • Thinly slice cucumber.
  • In a bowl, mix sliced cucumber with soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar and chili powder.
  • Toast sesame seeds in a dry pan until fragrant, let cool and sprinkle over cucumber salad.
  • Chill salad for at least 30 minutes before serving.
  • You might want to add some salt, so try for saltiness before serving because the soy sauce amount isn't very high. You can also add more chili powder if you want some more heat.

KOREAN CUCUMBER SALAD



Korean Cucumber Salad image

When I lived in Korea, I was shown this Korean Cucumber salad, made with cucumbers, green onions, and sesame seeds. Goes good with Bulgogi (Korean Barbecued Beef) from this site!!

Provided by Paula Stotts

Categories     Salad     Vegetable Salad Recipes     Cucumber Salad Recipes

Time 25m

Yield 2

Number Of Ingredients 8

¼ cup white vinegar
¼ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
1 cucumber, thinly sliced
½ green onion, sliced
½ carrot, julienned

Steps:

  • In a medium bowl, stir together vinegar, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
  • Heat oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir in sesame seeds, and reduce heat to medium. Cook until seeds are brown, about 5 minutes. Remove seeds with a slotted spoon, and stir into vinegar mixture. Mix in cucumber, green onions, and carrot. Cover, and refrigerate at least 5 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 97.8 calories, Carbohydrate 8.1 g, Fat 7 g, Fiber 2.4 g, Protein 2.6 g, SaturatedFat 1.1 g, Sodium 14.5 mg, Sugar 2.6 g

REFRESHING CUCUMBER SALAD



Refreshing Cucumber Salad image

This is a quick and easy throw-together salad that is super tangy and creamy and a way to use up some of your fresh garden veggies. Very refreshing! Increase or decrease amount of vinegar and mayonnaise to your liking.

Provided by ShawnaRae

Categories     Salad     Vegetable Salad Recipes     Cucumber Salad Recipes

Time 1h10m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 small cucumbers, thinly sliced
½ small red onion, thinly sliced
1 large tomato, halved and sliced
3 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 tablespoon white vinegar
¼ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper

Steps:

  • In a medium bowl, toss together the cucumbers, red onion and tomato. Gently stir in the mayonnaise, vinegar, salt and pepper until coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 98.6 calories, Carbohydrate 6 g, Cholesterol 3.9 mg, Fat 8.4 g, Fiber 1.2 g, Protein 1.1 g, SaturatedFat 1.3 g, Sodium 208.5 mg, Sugar 3 g

Tips:

  • Use a mandoline slicer or a sharp knife to thinly slice the cucumber for a more uniform and aesthetically pleasing look.
  • If you don't have rice vinegar, you can substitute it with white vinegar or apple cider vinegar, but rice vinegar will give the salad the most authentic Korean flavor.
  • Add a pinch of sugar or honey to balance out the sourness of the vinegar.
  • For a spicier salad, add a teaspoon of gochugaru (Korean chili powder) or a few slices of fresh chili pepper.
  • If you want a more substantial salad, add some cooked protein, such as grilled chicken or tofu, or some crunchy vegetables, such as shredded carrots or bell peppers.

Conclusion:

This refreshing Korean cucumber salad is a delicious and healthy side dish that can be enjoyed all year round. It's easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. Whether you like it spicy, sweet, or tangy, this salad is sure to please.

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