Craving a light and refreshing side dish? This Korean Cucumber Salad is just what you need! With its crisp cucumbers, tangy dressing, and a hint of spice, it’s the perfect complement to any meal. Quick and easy to prepare, this easy cucumber salad will become a favorite in no time. Let’s get started!

Contents

Why You’ll Love Korean Cucumber Salad

Refreshing Crunch: The crisp cucumbers and tangy dressing make for a refreshing and crunchy side dish.
Bold Flavors: The combination of soy sauce, chili oil, and garlic provides a flavorful kick.
Quick and Easy: This Korean cucumber salad comes together in minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute meals.

Cucumber Salad Ingredients

Cucumbers: Fresh and crisp, they form the base of the salad.
Salt: Enhances the flavor and helps draw out excess moisture from the cucumbers.
Soy Sauce: Adds a savory umami flavor.
Chili Oil: Provides a spicy kick to the dressing.
Sugar: Balances the heat and adds a touch of sweetness.
Sesame Oil: Adds a rich, nutty flavor to the dressing.
Garlic: Adds a robust and aromatic flavor.
Rice Vinegar: Provides a tangy and slightly sweet acidity.
Sesame Seeds: Used for garnish, adding a nutty crunch and visual appeal.

How To Make Korean Cucumber Salad

Step One: Start by slicing the cucumbers into thin rounds or your desired shape. Place the cucumber slices in a bowl and sprinkle 1 tsp of salt over them. Set the bowl aside for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, strain the excess water from the cucumbers to remove excess moisture.

Step Two: In a separate bowl, combine 2 tsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp chili oil, 1 tsp sugar, 1 tsp sesame oil, 3 cloves of minced garlic, and 2 tsp rice vinegar. Stir the dressing mixture until the sugar is completely dissolved. Add the prepared dressing to the sliced cucumbers.

Step Three: Toss the cucumbers with the dressing, ensuring they are evenly coated. Garnish the salad with sesame seeds for added flavor and texture. Enjoy your Korean Style Cucumber Salad!

Pro Tips To Nail This Korean Salad

Choose the Right Cucumbers: Use English cucumbers or Persian cucumbers for their thin skin and fewer seeds, which provide a crisp texture and better flavor absorption.
Marinate for Better Flavor: Let the cucumbers marinate in the dressing for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together and intensify, making the salad more flavorful.
Garnish Last Minute: Sprinkle the sesame seeds just before serving to maintain their crunch and visual appeal.

Variations

Korean Spicy Cucumber Salad With Radish: Add thinly sliced daikon radish to the Japanese cucumbers. Adjust the chili oil for extra spiciness, and garnish with chopped fresh cilantro for a refreshing twist.
Herb-Infused Cucumber Salad Oi Muchim: Add fresh chopped mint and basil to the cucumbers for a fragrant and herbaceous twist on Korean cucumber salad oi muchim. Drizzle with toasted sesame oil for a richer flavor.
Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad With Avocado: Add diced avocado to the Korean cucumbers for a creamy texture. Enhance the dressing with a splash of olive oil and a pinch of Korean red pepper flakes for a subtle heat.

How To Store Korean Cucumber Salad?

Refrigerate: Store any leftover Korean Cucumber Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.
Serve: Serve the salad chilled directly from the refrigerator. For added flavor, add some chopped green onions and sesame seeds on top before serving.

What To Serve With Cucumber Salad?

Bulgogi (Korean BBQ Beef): Thinly sliced, marinated beef grilled to perfection. The savory and slightly sweet flavors of bulgogi pair wonderfully with the fresh and tangy Korean cucumber salad recipe.
Japchae (Korean Stir-Fried Glass Noodles): Stir-fried sweet potato noodles with vegetables and a savory sauce, offering a delightful texture and flavor that complements the cucumber salad.
Kimchi Pancakes: Crispy and savory pancakes made with kimchi and scallions provide a spicy and crunchy accompaniment to the refreshing cucumber salad.
Grilled Mackerel: Rich and flavorful grilled mackerel with a touch of lemon adds a hearty and satisfying main dish to the meal.
Steamed Rice: Simple steamed rice serves as a neutral base that perfectly complements the bold flavors of the salad, making it an ideal accompaniment to your Korean food spread.

Korean Cucumber Salad

Refresh your palate with this crisp and tangy Korean Cucumber Salad! Thinly sliced cucumbers are tossed in a savory blend of soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, and a touch of spice, creating a salad that’s both refreshing and full of flavor.

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 0

Total Time 5

Serving Size Servings

Ingredients

½ lbs Cucumbers
1 tsp Salt
2 tsp Soy sauce
1 tbsp Chili Oil
1 tsp Sugar
1 tsp Sesame oil
3 cloves Garlic minced
2 tsp Rice vinegar
Sesame seeds for garnish

Instructions

Start by slicing the cucumbers into thin rounds or your desired shape.
Place the cucumber slices in a bowl and sprinkle 1 tsp of salt over them. Set the bowl aside for 10 minutes
After 10 minutes, strain the excess water from the cucumbers to remove excess moisture.
In a separate bowl, combine 2 tsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp chili oil, 1 tsp sugar, 1 tsp sesame oil, 3 cloves of minced garlic, and 2 tsp rice vinegar.
Stir the dressing mixture until the sugar is completely dissolved.
Add the prepared dressing to the sliced cucumbers.
Toss the cucumbers with the dressing, ensuring they are evenly coated.
Garnish the salad with sesame seeds for added flavor and texture.
Enjoy your Korean Style Cucumber Salad!

Nutrition

Notes

Choose the Right Cucumbers: Use English cucumbers or Persian cucumbers for their thin skin and fewer seeds, which provide a crisp texture and better flavor absorption.

Marinate for Better Flavor: Let the cucumbers marinate in the dressing for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together and intensify, making the salad more flavorful.

Garnish Last Minute: Sprinkle the sesame seeds just before serving to maintain their crunch and visual appeal.