Looking for an easy, delicious, and satisfying side dish? This Sautéed Korean Cucumber Side Dish is just the thing! With its simple preparation, irresistible crunch, and a delightful nutty sesame flavor, this dish is a guaranteed hit.
Today I’m sharing a super easy Sautéed Korean Cucumber Side Dish (Oi Namul, 오이 나물 or Oi Bokkeum, 오이 볶음) recipe.
The cucumbers are first pickled with fine sea salt to draw out the water, then squeezed dry. After that, they’re briefly stir-fried in a pan and coated with sesame seeds and sesame oil. Voilà!
So simple! Honestly, I don’t think further instructions are even necessary. 😉 (But I’ll still write them—and include a video tutorial too!)
As you can imagine, the flavor is wonderfully nutty, thanks to the sesame seeds and sesame oil. After making it, your kitchen—and maybe even your entire house—might carry the warm, toasty aroma of sesame oil for hours. Personally, I love the cozy scent lingering in my home. Since it’s winter here, it adds a comforting warmth to the whole atmosphere.
This sautéed cucumber side dish is a great alternative if you (or your kids) aren’t fans of spicy cucumber dishes, like Spicy Korean cucumber salad. I have to say, my little girl absolutely loves it! She literally gobbles up these crunchy cucumbers in seconds with her tiny fingers, and watching her always brings a big smile (and laugh) to my face.
Oh, and did I mention how crunchy these cucumbers are? The secret to their crunchiness is cooking them over medium-high to high heat for just a short time. This side dish also makes a fantastic addition to Bibimbap (Korean rice bowl). I hope you give this savory, crunchy goodness a try soon!
P.S. If you’re a fan of cucumbers, don’t forget to check out my super easy cucumber kimchi recipe!
Ingredients for Korean Cucumber Side Dish (4 servings)
- 2 Lebanese cucumbers (300g, 0.7 pounds) or English cucumber
- 1 tsp fine sea salt
- 1/2 Tbsp roasted sesame seeds
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- Some cooking oil – I used rice bran oil
*1 Tbsp = 15 ml
** If you’re unsure of the above Korean cooking ingredients, find out more about them from my other post “Essential Korean cooking ingredients“.
How to Make Korean Cucumber Side Dish
1. Rinse the cucumber well. (You can peel the skin off if you like.) Thinly slice the cucumber and put them into a medium-sized mixing bowl.
2. Add the salt and mix them evenly. Leave it for 20 minutes on the kitchen bench.
3. Squeeze the water out of the cucumber. (Do this in small batches.) Set it aside.
4. Heat a frying pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add cooking oil and spread it evenly. Add the cucumber and stir-fry for 30 seconds. Then, add sesame seeds and sesame oil, stirring evenly for another 30 seconds. Remove from heat and let it cool on the counter for 15 to 30 minutes. For the best crunch, transfer it to the fridge and chill for 1 to 2 hours before serving. While it can be served warm, I personally recommend serving it cold to enhance its crisp texture.
5. Serve with a bowl of rice and other delicious Korean side dishes.
How I Make It: Step-by-Step Recipe Video
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Sautéed Korean Cucumber Side Dish
Ingredients
- 2 Lebanese cucumbers or English cucumber, (300 g / 0.7 pounds)
- 1 tsp fine sea salt
- 1/2 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- Some cooking oil – I used rice bran oil
Instructions
- Rinse the cucumber well. (You can peel the skin off if you like.) Thinly slice the cucumber and put them into a medium sized mixing bowl.
- Add the salt and mix them evenly. Leave it for 20 minutes on the kitchen bench.
- Squeeze the water out of the cucumber. (Do this in small batches.) Set it aside.
- Heat a frying pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add cooking oil and spread it evenly. Add the cucumber and stir-fry for 30 seconds. Then, add sesame seeds and sesame oil, stirring evenly for another 30 seconds. Remove from heat and let it cool on the counter for 15 to 30 minutes. For the best crunch, transfer it to the fridge and chill for 1 to 2 hours before serving. While it can be served warm, I personally recommend serving it cold to enhance its crisp texture.
- Serve with a bowl of rice and other delicious Korean side dishes.
Nutrition Info (per serving)
The nutrition information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
