Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad

Course: Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine: Korean

Prep Time: 2

Resting Time: 15

Total Time: 17

Servings: servings

Calories: 296kcal

Author: Quynh Nguyen

This Korean cucumber salad (oi muchim) is crunchy, refreshing, and full of bold, spicy flavor. Made with Persian cucumbers, gochugaru, garlic, sesame oil, and a splash of soy sauce, it’s the ultimate side dish that comes together in 15 minutes. Serve it with rice bowls, grilled meats, or eat it straight from the bowl!

Print Recipe

Ingredients

4 Persian cucumbers (aka mini cucumbers)
2 teaspoons salt to draw out moisture
2 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon sugar
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
1 tablespoon gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes) (or to taste)
1 tablespoon gochujang optional

Instructions

Prepare the Cucumbers: Slice your cucumbers thin, sprinkle with salt, and let sit for 15 minutes. This step helps remove excess moisture and ensures a crunchy texture.
Rinse and Drain: Rinse the cucumber slices under cold water and pat them dry with a paper towel.
Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, sugar, minced garlic, toasted sesame seeds, and gochugaru. If you like more heat, add gochujang for a spicier kick.
Combine and Toss: Toss cucumbers in the dressing until coated. Adjust seasoning to taste. Let it chill for about 30 minutes in the fridge to let flavors meld.
Serve: Garnish with extra sesame seeds and serve cold.

Notes

Use the Right Cucumbers: Go for Persian or mini cucumbers with thin skins and minimal seeds for the best crunch and flavor.
Don’t Oversalt: Sprinkle the cucumbers with salt to remove excess moisture, but don’t leave them too long—around 15 minutes is enough to keep them from getting too salty.
Adjust the Spice: Start with a small amount of gochugaru and taste as you go. You can always add more if you like more heat.
Let It Rest: Give the dressed salad at least 30 minutes in the fridge so the flavors can mingle and intensify before serving.

Nutrition