Korean Cucumber Salad (Oi Muchim) - CJ Eats Recipes (2024)

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By Chris Joe

5 from 15 votes

Aug 27, 2023

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Every family has their own recipe for a Korean Cucumber Salad, also known in Korean as Oi Muchim. For those of you who don’t know, my wife is Korean and this a recipe she swears by – it’s so delicious!

The cucumbers are crisp and refreshing, seasoned with a wonderful soy-based sauce that’s spicy, sweet, with a touch of garlic and onion to create a perfect side dish to go with any recipe or to enjoy as a snack!

Watch the Korean Cucumber Salad Recipe Video Below!

Korean Cucumber Salad (Oi Muchim) - CJ Eats Recipes (2)

Ingredients for Korean Cucumber Salad

This quick and delicious cucumber salad only requires a few ingredients to bring together. Here are the ingredients you’ll need:

  • Cucumbers (Seedless variety such as English or Persian)
  • Light Soy Sauce
  • Gochugaru (Korean Red Pepper Flakes)
  • Sesame Oil
  • Roasted Sesame Seeds
  • Sugar
  • Green Onion
  • Garlic
  • White Onion
  • Kosher Salt
Korean Cucumber Salad (Oi Muchim) - CJ Eats Recipes (3)

My Top Ingredient Tips for Korean Cucumber Salad

INGREDIENTS TIPS

CUCUMBERS
I used English cucumbers in this recipe but you can also use Persian cucumbers! I typically use them interchangeably in recipes because they are both thin skinned (so no need to peel) and have very few seeds.

GOCHUGARU
Gochugaru is Korean red chili pepper flakes (or powder, depending on which version you purchase). It’s vibrant in color and smoky in flavor, and while the heat level varies, it’s definitely on the spicy side. I love using this ingredient because of the layers of flavor it adds! I recommend you adjust the amount based on your spice tolerance level.

INGREDIENT SUBS
This recipe calls for only a few ingredients, so I cannot recommend omitting or subbing anything.

Prepare Your Cucumbers

The first step in the recipe will be to prepare the cucumbers. Wash and dry your cucumbers then take a sharp knife and you’re ready to begin!

Slice the Cucumbers Thinly

I like to begin by slicing off the ends and then slicing them into thin 1/8 in (2-3mm) disks. You want these thin enough to easily soak up the dressing but thick enough to stay crunchy and not turn mushy! I’ve found a 2-3 millimeter thick pieces holds up nicely in the final salad.

Korean Cucumber Salad (Oi Muchim) - CJ Eats Recipes (4)
Korean Cucumber Salad (Oi Muchim) - CJ Eats Recipes (5)

Salt the Cucumbers

Once the cucumbers a nicely sliced, place them in a bowl and add 1/2 tbsp of kosher salt. Using your hands, mix and massage the cucumbers with the salt until the salt is completely absorbed. This will draw out excess moisture from the cucumbers and also keep them crisp in the final salad.

Korean Cucumber Salad (Oi Muchim) - CJ Eats Recipes (6)

Drain the Excess Moisture from the Cucumbers

After the cucumbers are salted and rested, you’ll see excess water pool at the bottom your bowl. Make sure to drain this water so the cucumber salad doesn’t become watery and soggy! The salt acts as an agent to draw out excess water from the cucumber as well as keep them crisp in the salad. Don’t skip this step!

Korean Cucumber Salad (Oi Muchim) - CJ Eats Recipes (7)

Mix Together the Cucumber Salad

Once the cucumbers are salted and the excess moisture is drained, it’s time to add in your remaining ingredients! Add in the light soy sauce, gochugaru, sesame oil, sesame seeds, sugar, onions, garlic, and green onions.

Korean Cucumber Salad (Oi Muchim) - CJ Eats Recipes (8)

With your hands (I like to use a glove for this step), mix together the salad until the cucumbers turn a deep red color from the red pepper flakes. Let them sit in the dressing for another few minutes to allow them to soak up all that delicious marinade! Plate them up and you’re ready to eat!

Korean Cucumber Salad (Oi Muchim) - CJ Eats Recipes (9)

My Key Recipe Tips for Korean Cucumber Salad

RECIPE TIPS

SHAPE/SIZE
I personally like to cut these into thin disks – however, you have probably seen them in many iterations! Some other popular shape/sizes are half moons, thick round slices, and thin diagonal slices. You can cut them into whatever shape you prefer – there is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way!

5 from 15 votes

Korean Cucumber Salad

Servings: 4

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Cook: 10 minutes mins

Save

Korean Cucumber Salad (Oi Muchim) - CJ Eats Recipes (10)

This spicy Korean Cucumber Salad comes together in only a few minutes and is crisp and delicious!

Ingredients

  • 1 lb cucumber, English or Persian
  • 2 tbsp light soy sauce
  • 1/2 tbsp gochugaru
  • 1/2 tbsp sesame oil
  • 1/2 tbsp roasted sesame seeds
  • 1/2 tbsp sugar
  • 2 green onions, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, grated
  • 1/4 white onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 tbsp kosher salt

US CustomaryMetric

Instructions

  • Slice ends off of your cucumber then thinly slice them into 2-3 mm disks.

  • Add the cucumbers to a bowl, then mix together with salt and let them rest for 10 minutes. Drain out the excess water and taste for seasoning.

  • In the same bowl, combine with soy sauce, korean red pepper flakes, sugar, sesame seeds, onion, scallion, grated garlic, and sesame oil.

  • Mix the cucumbers and seasonings until well combined and the cucumbers turn a deep red color.

  • Marinate the cucumbers for 10 minutes in the dressing before serving and enjoy!

Additional Info

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: Korean

Tried this recipe?Mention @cj.eats_ or tag #cjeatsrecipes!

Korean Cucumber Salad (Oi Muchim) - CJ Eats Recipes (11)

About CJ

I’m a third generation Chinese-American home cook who has always loved cooking & eating! Welcome to my food blog, where you can find trusted, tested, easy & approachable recipes for the everyday home cook that taste delicious! I am so glad you're here!

Read more about me

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Korean Cucumber Salad (Oi Muchim) - CJ Eats Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between a Korean cucumber and a regular cucumber? ›

Korean cucumbers are generally thinner and longer than other cucumber varieties and are typically used fresh to make pickles, side dishes, and salads.

How do you keep cucumber salad from getting soggy? ›

The solution: The standard recommendation for ridding watery vegetable such as cucumbers of unwanted moisture is to salt them. The salt draws out the liquid from the vegetable because of the natural tendency of salt water solutions to equalize when mixed together.

What cucumber to use for Korean? ›

Obviously, in Korea, any oi muchim recipe is traditionally made with Korean cucumbers. That variety is less common where I live in the United States, so my top pick is Persian cucumbers for their smaller size. You can also use English cucumbers, Kirby cucumbers, or Japanese cucumbers. Green onion.

How many calories in a Korean cucumber? ›

Results for "Korean Cucumber"

Other sizes: 1 small - 19kcal, 1 medium - 24kcal, 1 cup of sliced - 14kcal, Other sizes: 1 cup - 138kcal, 1 serving - 24kcal, 100 g - 81kcal, more...

Which type of cucumber is the healthiest? ›

When it comes to the nutritional content of cucumbers, there is generally not a significant difference between different varieties in terms of essential nutrients. Most cucumber varieties are low in calories and provide hydration, dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

What is the best tasting cucumber in the world? ›

Striped Armenian is one of the sweetest cucumbers. It has small seeds and thin skin. Though it looks like a cucumber, it is actually a melon—a species of Cucumis.

Why is my cucumber salad bitter? ›

A cucumber's bitterness is caused by cucurbitacin, a bitter chemical that protects the plant from predators. Usually, cucurbitacin stays in the stem and leaves, but it can work its way into the fruit. A cucumber's bitterness is caused by cucurbitacin, a bitter chemical that protects the plant from predators.

Why is my cucumber salad so runny? ›

When it comes to making the best cucumber salads, I find that unless you take the time to properly salt and drain the cukes, the end product is watery, limp, and less than tasty. This easy extra step makes extra crunchy slices, takes almost no effort at all, but gives a big payout in the crunch department.

How do you keep cucumbers crisp in cucumber salad? ›

Just place the slices or chunks in a colander over a bowl or sink. Sprinkle them with a couple of pinches of salt, toss to coat, and let them rest for about 30 minutes. Pat them dry with a paper towel and proceed with the recipe.

What does muchim mean in Korean? ›

Namul means vegetable or root; muchim means to season. It is a broad term for any and every dish prepared in this manner.

What type of cabbage do Koreans use for? ›

Napa cabbage is a versatile vegetable that can be used in a variety of dishes, including soups, stews, and salads. It is also a key ingredient in kimchi, a traditional Korean dish made from fermented cabbage. Napa cabbage is a good source of vitamins A and C, as well as fiber.

What kind of lettuce do Koreans use? ›

Red leaf lettuce is probably the most common in modern ssam but other lettuces, steamed or parboiled cabbage, and kaenip (also known as perilla) leaves are also are popular.

What to put on Korean cucumber salad? ›

Ingredients In Korean Cucumber Salad

Rice Vinegar– best for flavor but in a pinch substituting with apple cider vinegar, or champagne vinegar is fine. Green onions- or scallions add lovely flavor and color. Sesame oil– toasty deep flavor. Sesame seeds – for finishing the salad, and adding texture.

What do you eat kimchi cucumbers with? ›

My favorite way to eat this kind of cucumber kimchi is as part of an assortment of banchan, with fresh steamed white rice. But it also slays alongside a katsu or schnitzel or fried chicken or other breaded and fried meat. Or eat it anywhere/anytime you would enjoy a crisp dill pickle spear.

What is a Persian cucumber? ›

Persian cucumbers are also called “mini cucumbers,” while English cucumbers can also be referred to as “hothouse” or “seedless” cucumbers. Persian cucumbers are small, about five to six inches long. English cucumbers, on the other hand, grow to about 1 foot.

What are the best cucumbers to eat raw? ›

Kirby Cucumbers

They have a range of skin color from yellow to dark green. Kirbys are wonderfully crunchy for eating raw, but flavorful enough to be perfect for pickling too. Sometimes, they're even sold under the name "pickling cucumbers."

What is the difference between a Persian cucumber and a regular cucumber? ›

A Persian cucumber is a small, tender cucumber with a smooth exterior, thin skin, and very few seeds. They're narrower than regular cucumbers and have a crisp interior and mild flavor, and they tend to be less watery than other cucumbers.

Do Armenian cucumbers taste like regular cucumbers? ›

For starters, the texture is just not the same as regular cucumber. Though the taste is like a cucumber the texture is much more like a zucchini.

What is the difference between an English cucumber and an Armenian cucumber? ›

Similar to the English, the Armenian cucumber is also long with minimal seeds, but these guys can vary in color from dark green to light green and even yellow-green, and can grow to be curvy or straight. They are botanically classified as a melon and smell a bit like cantaloupe when sliced.

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