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Cucumber Kimchi (Oi Kimchi)

Learn how to make quick cucumber kimchi. It’s crunchy, light and flavorful. Just perfect for this summer!

Cucumber Kimchi Recipe | MyKoreanKitchen.com

Korean Cucumber Kimchi

Cucumber kimchi (Oi Kimchi, 오이 김치) is a popular summer kimchi in Korea. My mom used to make either a quick cucumber kimchi (as seen above) or stuffed cucumber kimchi (oi sobagi, 오이 소박이) every summer.

You might be wondering how these two kimchi are different?

Essentially, both of them are cucumber kimchi. But one kimchi is serve with vegetables stuffed inside and the other one is not.

As a child, I always preferred just plain quick cucumber kimchi because I didn’t like the stuffings inside of the kimchi. I find these rather annoying because all I really wanted was simple, tasty and crunchy cucumbers.

So if my mom made stuffed cucumber kimchi instead, I would spent a few minutes at each meal to take those stuffings out. Lol. How counter productive! Because it does take good time to stuff those things into the small gaps of cucumbers.

Though, as a grown up, I love eating both styles of kimchi. They both are equally delicious and I particularly love the crunchy texture!

Nonetheless, quick cucumber kimchi is a bit more convenient to make (obviously!), so I’ve been making this a lot lately.

The cucumber kimchi is good with even just simple steamed rice, but it also goes wonderfully well with Korean BBQ. Hope you make it soon!

P.S. If you like cucumber, try my other cucumber recipes! Spicy Korean cucumber salad (Oi Muchim) and Korean cucumber side dish (Oi Namul). Also, if you want to learn how to make stuffed cucumber kimchi, check it out from my banchan cookbook.

Cucumber Kimchi (Oi Kimchi)

Ingredients for Cucumber Kimchi

Main

  • 3 Lebanese cucumbers (450 g / 1 pound), other cucumber suitable for pickling is ok to use, rinsed
  • 1 Tbsp coarse sea salt
  • (optional) 50 g / 1.7 ounces carrots, julienned
  • (optional) 20 g / 0.7 ounces garlic chives or chives, chopped in same length as the cucumber

Kimchi sauce (Mix these well in a bowl)

  • 2 Tbsp gochugaru (korean chili flakes)
  • 1 Tbsp minced garlic
  • 1 Tbsp grated red apple or asian pear
  • 1 Tbsp honey or sugar
  • 1/2 Tbsp saeujeot (Korean salted shrimp), minced (if you don’t have this add more fish sauce below)
  • 1/2 tsp Korean fish sauce
  • 1/2 tsp minced ginger

*If you don’t like using salted shrimps (1/2 Tbsp) and fish sauce (1/2 tsp), substitute them with 1 Tbsp regular soy sauce.

**1 Tbsp = 15 ml,

***If you want to learn about Korean ingredients, check my 30 essential Korean ingredients list.

How to Make Cucumber Kimchi

1. Cut off both ends of the cucumber. Divide the cucumber into 3 pieces then cross cut each piece length ways. You should end up with 4 to 5 cm (1.5 inch) length cucumber pieces. Put the cucumber into a large bowl then scatter the coarse sea salt around on top. Gently mix them so that the cucumber gets pickled evenly. Set it aside for 20 minutes.

Pickling Cucumbers for Cucumber Kimchi

2. Gently brush off the salt from the cucumber then transfer the cucumber into a clean bowl. Pour in the kimchi sauce then mix them gently. (If using) Add the carrots and garlic chives then mix with the rest again. Transfer into a glass container and cover.

How to Make Korean Cucumber Kimchi | MyKoreanKitchen.com

3. Keep it at room temperature for about 12 to 18 hours then move it to the fridge. Serve once chilled.

How to Store Cucumber Kimchi

Store kimchi in an air tight glass container. Cucumber kimchi is best to be consumed within 7 days. The older the cucumber kimchi gets, the more water it loses. Then it can get mushy.

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Cucumber Kimchi (Oi Kimchi)

Cucumber Kimchi (Oi Kimchi)

Korean cucumber kimchi recipe. Learn how to make quick and easy cucumber kimchi (oi kimchi)
4.75 from 36 votes
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Course: Side dishes
Cuisine: Korean
Keyword: cucumber, cucumber kimchi, kimchi
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 6 to 8
Calories: 42kcal
Author: Sue | My Korean Kitchen

Ingredients

MAIN

  • 3 Lebanese cucumbers (450 g / 1 pound), other cucumber suitable for pickling is ok to use, rinsed
  • 1 Tbsp coarse sea salt
  • 50 g carrots (1.7 ounces), julienned (optional)
  • 20 g garlic chives or chives (0.7 ounces), chopped in same length as the cucumber (optional)

KIMCHI SAUCE (MIX THESE WELL IN A BOWL)

  • 2 Tbsp gochugaru (korean chili flakes)
  • 1 Tbsp minced garlic
  • 1 Tbsp grated red apple or asian pear
  • 1 Tbsp honey or sugar
  • 1/2 Tbsp saeujeot (Korean salted shrimp), minced (if you don’t have this add more fish sauce below)
  • 1/2 tsp Korean fish sauce
  • 1/2 tsp minced ginger

Instructions

  • Cut off both ends of the cucumber. Divide the cucumber into 3 pieces then cross cut each piece length ways. You should end up with 4 to 5 cm (1.5 inch) length cucumber pieces. Put the cucumber into a large bowl then scatter the coarse sea salt around on top. Gently mix them so that the cucumber gets pickled evenly. Set it aside for 20 minutes.
  • Gently brush off the salt from the cucumber then transfer the cucumber into a clean bowl. Pour in the kimchi sauce then mix them gently. (If using) Add the carrots and garlic chives then mix with the rest again. Transfer into a glass container and cover.
  • Keep it at room temperature for about 12 to 18 hours then move it to the fridge. Serve once chilled.

Notes

* If you don’t like using salted shrimps (1/2 Tbsp) and fish sauce (1/2 tsp), substitute them with 1 Tbsp regular soy sauce.
**1 Tbsp = 15 ml,
***If you want to learn about Korean ingredients, check my 30 essential Korean ingredients list.

Nutrition Info (per serving)

Calories: 42kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 1g | Sodium: 1249mg | Potassium: 280mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1260IU | Vitamin C: 10.1mg | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 0.9mg

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.

Tried this recipe?I love hearing how you went with my recipes! Rate this recipe with a comment below and tag me on Instagram @MyKoreanKitchen.

Written by: Sue

Last Updated:

Welcome to my Korean kitchen! I’m so happy that you're here. I am Sue, the creator behind My Korean Kitchen (since 2006). I love good food and simplifying recipes. Here you will find my best and family approved recipes. Thanks for stopping by!

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Hanna S
October 4, 2023 3:00 am

Tasty

September 7, 2023 6:22 am

Love this recipe! Simple delicious! I shared recipe with my friends and on my page. Can’t wait to try more of your recipes. Thank you!

isabella
August 27, 2023 8:02 pm

I love this recipe, it is the best Cucumber Kimchi I’ve ever tried ! Thank you Sue

Vicki
July 25, 2023 6:23 am

I don’t have sea salt handy. What proportion of coarse kosher salt should I use?

Kayleigh
June 28, 2023 2:42 am

Absolutely delicious! We started growing Lebanese cucumbers this year specifically to make cucumber kimchi, and this 100% tastes like what I’ve had at Korean restaurants. Easy and delicious, I have a hard time staying out of the jar. This will be my go-to for cucumber kimchi!

Ke'Aira
May 18, 2023 1:42 pm

Can’t wait to try this recipe! Can I add minced garlic?

Laurie
May 15, 2023 5:05 am

This is fantastic. Thank you

Peter
January 9, 2023 8:39 am

Hello, thank you for the recipe, just one question. Quite a lot of water came out of the cucumbers when I left them in the jar in the room temp. Should I remove the water every now and again or just leave it there?

Jon
November 9, 2022 2:07 am

While it is sitting out at room temperature should I stir it periodically or just let it sit until I refrigerate it? Thanks!

Miya
November 5, 2022 4:14 am

I wondered if I ran out of gochugaru but have gochujang will it have the same affect or not?

Edward
July 23, 2022 2:05 pm

I made some today, I got your recipe a few years back. My wife and I love it. Thank you!

Koko
July 13, 2022 7:34 am

I always wanted make oi kimuchi and found your recipe. Surprise someone said too salty. To me it was little too sweet. I usually lightly rinse cucumber after salted. The spice was really easy to make but I’ll put less sugar next time. I really like it! Thank you for the recipe!!

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