Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad

Everyone can find something they love about this Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad Recipe. Chopped and seasoned so that the very best of Korean cuisine emerges, it’s on its way to becoming the best meal in the kitchen.

Quick Overview

This recipe is for a Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad also known as oi muchim.

It’s a floral and fiery side that epitomizes Korean tastes and offers a satisfying crunch to any diet. 

As in Korean food, the taste comes from making the most of a world full of flavor with simple ingredients. This cucumber salad proves its versatility.

This is the culmination of a dish starring cucumber: fresh, crunchy and finely sliced to expose the most surface area for the dressing to soak into.

You can even scatter the salad with some toasted sesame seeds for taste and texture and serve promptly. 

They also contribute to your base being a perfectly seasoned cucumber with a refreshing bite. 

Why make this Salad

This Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad is so great that you won’t be bored when you serve it often.

It’s a great accompaniment to any BBQ’d meat, fish or Korean BBQ with a big bowl of hot rice. 

Those bright colors and bold flavors make it the perfect side dish or banchan to a spread of foods for a potluck or a party of any occasion. 

If you can stop your guests eating it before you can put it out! 

What’s especially nice about this salad is that it renews your palate each time you take a bite.

You get crunch from the cucumbers; salt from the soy sauce and sesame oil; and heat from the red pepper flakes or powder.

If you enjoy making Korean food or just want to try something new that is delicious and nutritious, here’s a spicy Korean cucumber side dish you should definitely try. 

It is a staple you’ll want to bring home. It fits all of my criteria: vegetarian, healthy, delicious.

Lastly, if you are having company for dinner, on the verge of assembling a weeknight meal, or simply in the mood to experiment with a new recipe, give this salad a try and let us know what you think.

Its bright colors will look vivid on your table (and in your Instagram photo).

Its clean taste and zinging punch will make it instantly recognizable. 

Pull out a cucumber and you’ll see how, made right, this Korean spicy cucumber salad can easily be transformed from banchan to main dish, just by adding a few more ingredients and spices.

Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad Ingredients

• 2 Medium Cucumbers: Slice your crisp cucumbers as thin as possible. They should all have an even thickness.
• 1/2 teaspoon of Salt: This will be used to sweat the moisture from the cucumbers
• 2 Green Onions: Finely chop your onions to ensure they don’t overpower the other ingredients.
• 1 clove of minced Garlic: Mince your own garlic or substitute with minced garlic from the supermarket.
• Korean Red Pepper Flakes (Gochugaru): Red pepper or chili pepper will give this dish a spicier kick if that’s what you’re looking for.
• 1 tablespoon of Sesame Oil: This is just one of the Korean ingredients your salad will need to marinate in.
• 1 tablespoon of Soy Sauce: This tangy sauce will add yet another flavor dimension to this dish.
• 1 tablespoon of Sugar: Used to balance out some of the harsh flavors present in the dressing.
• 1/2 teaspoon of Rice Vinegar: Combined with the sesame oil, soy sauce, and sugar, this will contribute heavily to your dressing.
• 1 tablespoon of Sesame Seeds: These will be sprinkled thoroughly through your salad right before serving for an added crunch.
• 1 teaspoon of toasted, fresh Cilantro: An optional step, cilantro can be used as the last step to garnish your beautiful salad.

How to make Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad 

Prepare the cucumbers:

1. Slice the cucumbers as thinly as you can and then sprinkle with salt and leave to sweat for around 10-15 minutes.
2. The salt draws out a lot of moisture and stops the cucumbers being mushy, instead making them lovely and crunchy.
3. Put in a container of ice water for a while after they have sweated. Then rinse under cold water and drain well.
4. Squeeze to get rid of extra water with the hands or a clean towel. Pat dry. it’s important your cucumbers aren’t watery.

Make the dressing:

1. Meanwhile, in a separate bowl, combine your liquid ingredients along with the red pepper, garlic, and sugar.
2. Mix thoroughly, and continue stirring until you’re sure all the sugar has dissolved.

Combine and marinate:

1. In a large bowl, combine the drained cucumbers and green onions.
2. Pour the dressing over the cucumbers and toss the slices until all are evenly coated. You can massage the dressing in with gloves if you feel that is needed.
3. Let the salad marinate in the fridge for at least 10 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to blend. 

Finish and serve:

1. Just before serving, sprinkle toasted sesame seeds over the salad.
2. If desired, garnish with fresh cilantro for an extra layer of flavor and the perfect lunch or side dish. 

Notes and Substitutions

There’s need for to order Doordash or deliver amazon ingredients to your house now that you know how to make this incredible salad. 

Serve on the side of Korean braised tofu, beef, or pork for the perfect refreshment to your heavy protein. 

For those looking for extra greens, don’t be afraid to add some spinach into your salad. You’ll really like this extra flavor and be glad you added it. 

Go ahead and skip the sesame seeds too if you want a seedless salad. After all, this recipe is for you, so make it your own. 

Maybe you want to kick things up a notch with added chili paste. Just 2-3 drops should be enough for the perfect added spice for this side dish. 

Maybe after trying this dish you’ll be ready to fully immerse yourself in Korean food culture and move onto cucumber kimchi.

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