Go Back
–+ servings
A bowl of oi muchim with wooden chopsticks placed beside it.
Print Recipe
4.88 from 8 votes

Oi Muchim (Korean Cucumber Salad)

How to make spicy Korean cucumber salad (Oi Muchim). A perfect side dish for spring and summer weather.
Prep Time20 minutes
Chill Time30 minutes
Total Time50 minutes
Course: Side dishes
Cuisine: Korean
Keyword: korean cucumber salad, korean spicy cucumber, oi muchim
Servings: 4
Calories: 25kcal
Author: Sue Pressey

Ingredients

MAIN

  • 1 cucumber (145 g / 5.1 ounces) - I used Lebanese cucumber. Korean cucumber, English cucumber, or other cucumbers suitable for pickling or salad can also be used.
  • 1/4 onion (25 g / 0.9 ounces)
  • 1 Tbsp Korean coarse salt (or rock salt) *** or 1 tsp fine sea salt

SEASONING SAUCE

  • 1 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
  • 1 tsp white vinegar (or rice vinegar)
  • 1 tsp white sugar
  • 1 tsp minced garlic
  • 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
  • 1/2 tsp gochujang (Korean chili paste), optional
  • A smidgen sesame oil - It should be a very small amount, about 1/32 teaspoon., optional

Instructions

  • Rinse the cucumber thoroughly under cold running water. Trim off both ends and thinly slice the cucumber into approximately 0.5 cm (0.2 inches) pieces. Place the slices in a large mixing bowl, add the salt, and gently mix them together. (Coarse salt is recommended, but if using fine salt, ensure you sprinkle it evenly to avoid any overly salty patches.) Let it sit for 15 minutes.
  • While waiting, thinly slice the onion. Prepare the seasoning sauce by mixing all the ingredients together.
  • After 15 minutes, rinse the cucumber under cold running water, discarding any remaining salt from the cucumber and the mixing bowl. Drain the water using a strainer and pat the cucumber slices lightly dry with kitchen paper. Place them in a clean, dry mixing bowl.
  • Add the sliced onion and seasoning sauce. Mix everything lightly but thoroughly with your hands. You might want to wear a food prep glove for this step as you need to smear the sauce around the cucumber.
  • Place the seasoned cucumber in a sealed glass container and refrigerate for 30 minutes to chill. Then, serve with a bowl of rice and other Korean side dishes. Enjoy!

Notes

  • 1 Tbsp = 15 ml
  • If you want to learn more about Korean ingredients, check my essential Korean cooking ingredients list!
  • Storage: Store in an airtight glass container in the fridge. For optimal taste, it's best not to keep it for more than 2 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 25kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Sodium: 1778mg | Potassium: 151mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 645IU | Vitamin C: 3.1mg | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 0.6mg