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Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad Recipe (Oi Muchim 오이무침)

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  • Author: ChefEmma
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: No-Cook
  • Cuisine: Korean
  • Diet: Vegan

Description

Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad, or Oi Muchim (오이무침), is a refreshing, flavorful side dish made with crisp cucumbers tossed in a spicy, tangy, and slightly sweet gochugaru-based dressing. It’s quick to make and perfect with grilled meats or rice dishes.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 Korean cucumbers or 1 English cucumber, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 green onion, chopped
  • 1 tbsp Korean red pepper flakes (gochugaru)
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 tsp minced garlic
  • 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds

Instructions

  1. Place sliced cucumbers in a bowl, sprinkle with salt, and let sit for 10–15 minutes to draw out excess moisture. Drain and gently squeeze out water.
  2. In a separate bowl, mix gochugaru, sugar, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and garlic to make the dressing.
  3. Add cucumbers and chopped green onion to the dressing and toss until evenly coated.
  4. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds before serving.
  5. Serve immediately or chill briefly. Best enjoyed fresh for maximum crunch.

Notes

  • Adjust the amount of gochugaru based on your spice preference.
  • Use Persian cucumbers as an alternative if Korean cucumbers aren’t available.
  • Great as a side dish for Korean BBQ or bibimbap.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 40
  • Sugar: 2g
  • Sodium: 320mg
  • Fat: 2g
  • Saturated Fat: 0g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 4g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 1g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg