Korean Cucumber Salad Recipe (spicy, easy, vegan) - Carlo Cao (2024)

FAQs

What to put on Korean cucumber salad? ›

Ingredients In Korean Cucumber Salad

Sesame oil– toasty deep flavor. Sesame seeds – for finishing the salad, and adding texture. Sugar– honey or maple syrup will work too. Gochugaru- dried Korean red pepper flakes, spicy but not super hot, start with less and add more to taste.

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

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.

Cut cucumbers in half lengthwise and then crosswise into 1/8-inch-thick half moons. Place in a medium bowl and mix thoroughly with salt. Let stand at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, combine garlic, scallions, ginger, vinegar, chile powder, sugar and fish sauce in a medium nonreactive bowl.

Storage and make-ahead

Keep oi muchim in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Although the cucumbers will get watery over time, the marinade is delicious. You can drizzle it over rice and sprinkle some sesame seeds and scallions before serving.

Long English Cucumber

Long English Cucumbers have a good crunch with thin, delicate skin that's easy to digest. The best part: you don't even need to peel them—just slice 'em up and eat them as the perfect quick snack. This type of Cucumber is great in salads as well as a ton of other things, too!

Striped Armenian (aka Painted Serpent)

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.

1 consists of cucumbers which are fairly well colored, fairly well formed, not overgrown, and which are fresh, firm, and free from decay, sunscald and from damage caused by scars, yellowing, sunburn, dirt or other foreign materials, freezing, mosaic or other disease, insects, cuts, bruises, mechanical or other means.

Salt – It draws moisture out of the cucumbers, giving them a crisp, pickle-like texture. It also makes the flavors in this salad pop! Fresh dill and chives – Dill is a classic ingredient in a cucumber onion salad, as its sour flavor pairs perfectly with the sweet and tangy vinegar dressing.

The extra step allows them to release some of their water — keeping them extra crisp even when they get tossed with the dressing. It also ensures the dressing doesn't become watered-down, which is especially useful in creamy mayo-based cucumber salads.

Why is my cucumber salad bitter? ›

What Makes Cucumbers Bitter? A specific compound called cucurbitacin is responsible for the bitter flavor. "Cucurbitacin is generally more concentrated in the skin and towards the stem end of the fruit," says Tucker Taylor, director of culinary gardens at Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate & Gardens in Sonoma County.

The white spots are yeast, not mould

According to a study by the World Institute of Kimchi (yes there is!!!) and published in the Journal of Microbiology, those white colonies are actually yeast that's not known to be toxic. It's however recommended that you remove the whites, wash and cook the kimchi before consuming.

Gochujang - While different in texture, gochujang can provide the red color and balanced heat of Gochugaru. Use about half the amount of Gochugaru.

My kimchi is mushy, not crunchy like it should be, what went wrong? It's possible your kimchi fermented in a room that was too hot. Higher temperatures can lead to the bacteria becoming a bit overactive, breaking down the structure of the vegetables.

The bright and refreshing taste of cucumber pairs well with an array of flavors. From pineapple and lemon to tomato and chili oil, these cucumber sides are suited for any palate.

Spices: Cucumbers pair well with spices such as black pepper, cumin, and coriander. Fruits: Cucumbers pair well with fruits such as tomatoes, watermelon, and berries. Meats: Cucumbers pair well with meats such as chicken, salmon, and tuna. Seafood: Cucumbers pair well with seafood such as shrimp, crab, and oysters.

My favorite dip for raw daikon radish sticks is ssamjang, a combination of gochujang (Korean fermented pepper paste) and doenjang (Korean fermented soybean paste) with sesame oil, grated garlic, and sesame seeds. Daikon radish is also a lovely addition to any clear soup or stew.