Spicy cucumber side dish

Oi-muchim 오이무침

I’m going to share a super simple recipe with you today that’s one of my all time favorites. It’s a spicy Korean cucumber side dish called oi-muchim. If you have a nice seedless English cucumber, you can make this delicious banchan in just a few minutes. During my round the world Gapshida trip to meet my readers in 2011, I made this dish almost everywhere I went. Everybody loved it. Who wouldn’t like cold, fresh, crispy, seasoned cucumber? Each bite is succulent and wonderful!

Oi means “cucumber” in English, and muchim means “mixed” or “seasoned,” so many people simply call this dish “seasoned cucumber”. Many Koreans have their own version of it, so you’ll find many variations from family to family. This one is mine, and I’ve been using it for a long time. It’s also one of the dishes in my cookbook.

A major tip for this recipe is to make it and mix it just before serving, which will keep it crisp and fresh and prevent it from getting watery. It’s perfectly for a summertime BBQ – refreshing and just spicy enough to give you a little kick!

Enjoy the recipe! Let me know if you make it!

Ingredients (Serves 4)

1 English cucumber (or 2 to 3 kirby cucumbers), washed
¼ cup thinly sliced onion
1 green onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 teaspoons hot pepper flakes
2 teaspoons sesame oil
2 teaspoons sesame seeds
1 teaspoon sugar (optional)

Directions

Cut the cucumber lengthwise in half and cut diagonally into thin slices.
Put the cucumber into a large bowl. Add the onion, green onion, garlic, soy sauce, hot pepper flakes, sesame oil, sesame seeds, and sugar.
Mix it well with a spoon until the sugar is well dissolved.
Serve as a side dish for rice, noodles, or BBQ.

Posted Thursday, April 30th, 2015 at 2:39 pm.
Tagged: banchan, cucumber kimchi, 오이무침, Korean cooking, Korean cucumber salad recipe, korean food, Korean spicy cucumber salad banchan, oi-moochim, oimuchim, seasoned cucumber, side dish, spicy cucumber salad, spicy Korean cucumber salad, Spicy Korean cucumber side dish, vegetarian dish

40 Comments:

edeline Sweden joined 4/17
Posted April 15th, 2017 at 5:46 pm | # | Log in to reply.

hi..
i was wondering if this cucumber sallad can be put in the fridge for long time?

(3)
aTrueRedHead Germany joined 8/14
Posted June 6th, 2015 at 2:16 am | # | Log in to reply.

I made this yesterday and love it. It is fast in preparation and delicious in taste.

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(0)
- Maangchi New York City joined 8/08
  Posted June 21st, 2015 at 12:44 am | # | Log in to reply.
  
  It looks juicy and crispy! You make it almost non-spicy version. Yummy!
  
  (1)
  - aTrueRedHead Germany joined 8/14
    Posted June 23rd, 2015 at 2:31 am | # | Log in to reply.
    
    Yes, it was very juicy and crispy. This was the portion for a friend who does not like spicy but I added hot pepper flakes to mine. I really loved it.
    
    (0)
    - Oxide California joined 2/15
      Posted July 20th, 2015 at 3:02 am | # | Log in to reply.
      
      Hi Ginger,
      If the ‘hot’ of the spice is an issue I recommend using 1/2 of the spicy pepper powder Maagnchi recommends. Do not eliminate it altogether! I found most people are ok with that reduced level, 1/2 the amount of spiciness with some of Maangchi’s recipes. I do make a lot of her recipes. Maangchi’s recipes are wonderful as they are but sometimes the spiciness can be a challenge for some Western folks that do not normally eat spicy foods – and a total challenge for Japanese people that consider mayonnaise a spicy food. (MAAGNCHI, DO NOT CHANGE THE SPICINESS!) Please note: hot peppers bring far, far more to the flavor profile to a dish than just “hot”. The peppers themselves have a wonderful and unique base flavor that adds to the dish that would be otherwise missed, dimensioned.
      
      (1)
Evil Twin Manitoba Canada joined 5/17
Posted June 15th, 2017 at 8:49 pm | # | Log in to reply.

I found this recipe today and decided to make it for dinner. IT WAS AMAZING! My sister and I fought over the last bite. I plan on making this for Father’s Day lunch this weekend. Thank you for another awesome recipe!!

(0)
LConnie Singapore joined 5/17
Posted May 13th, 2017 at 6:00 am | # | Log in to reply.

Dear Maangchi

I like this recipe so much and very easy to make.
I made a big portion and kept inside the fridge for a week but the cucumber still very crunchy. Yummy!

Thanks for sharing.

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(0)
Endless.Revisions 군산 joined 5/17
Posted May 5th, 2017 at 5:32 am | # | Log in to reply.

Thank you so much for these recipes. I have lived in Korea since 2010, but it wasn’t until I started dating my husband, I knew that I would have to learn how to cook Korean food. We’ve only been married a couple of months, but these recipes are easy to follow, and so far I haven’t had any kitchen accidents.

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(0)
stonefly Olympia WA joined 11/11
Posted February 3rd, 2017 at 9:39 pm | # | Log in to reply.

Such a great dish, Maangchi! I like this almost as much as Oi-sobagi. Almost, but Oi-sobagi is my fave!

(0)
- stonefly Olympia WA joined 11/11
  Posted February 3rd, 2017 at 9:43 pm | # | Log in to reply.
  
  I also added thinly sliced lobak radish. Yum!
  
  (0)
duday76 USA joined 12/16
Posted January 12th, 2017 at 8:08 am | # | Log in to reply.

Thank you maangchi! Love the combination of the taste in this simple dish. Will definitely put this in my table frequently.

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(0)
Omsin Salamanca, Spain joined 7/16
Posted October 22nd, 2016 at 10:22 am | # | Log in to reply.

I bought some baby cucumbers yesterday and decided to try this dish (since with normal Spanish cucumber it would be impossible). I love it! Simple, aromatic and refreshing. Thanks again for the recipe. ^_^

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(0)
- Spiaggian Singapore joined 11/16
  Posted November 12th, 2016 at 11:56 pm | # | Log in to reply.
  
  Hi Maangchi,
  
  I had a lot of Korean ingredients handy so I decided to make Oi-muchim for my family of 4 with your recipe. Needless to say, the whole thing was devoured within 10 minutes!
  
  Love the refreshing taste of cucumbers with the mix of ingredients and a spicy kick of gochugaru!
  
  See full size image
  
  (0)
  - Maangchi New York City joined 8/08
    Posted November 22nd, 2016 at 2:07 am | # | Log in to reply.
    
    Your oi-muchim looks like mine! : ) yum!
    
    (0)
jaylivg Houston joined 7/10
Posted June 30th, 2016 at 2:01 pm | # | Log in to reply.

Hi Maangchi !!

Made this fresh spicy cucumber for lunch along with spicy pan fried tofu . But .. OMG .. the cucumber are so yummy , delicious , i can snack on this all day ! I might not have the roasted sesame seed right now , but the flavor was superb !! :D

(0)
twinmama14 joined 9/15
Posted September 9th, 2015 at 3:00 pm | # | Log in to reply.

We can’t get English cucumbers in Nicaragua :(
If I used a regular cucumber, should I remove the seeds?
Assuming the dressing would be delicious no matter what type of cucumber!

(0)
- Maangchi New York City joined 8/08
  Posted September 10th, 2015 at 12:25 pm | # | Log in to reply.
  
  Yes, if the cucumber has lots of seeds, scrape them out with a spoon.
  
  (0)
Ch706 joined 7/15
Posted July 22nd, 2015 at 1:55 pm | # | Log in to reply.

We found this recipe from a YouTube notification and tried it last night. It tasted good, but we added 2 teaspoon of lime juice. It helped to balance the heat from the pepper flakes. Thanks for the recipe, we are fairly new to the Korean flavors. Hope to add many more recipes to the family favorites.

(0)
tansook joined 7/15
Posted July 19th, 2015 at 7:59 am | # | Log in to reply.

Hi, how long can I keep the spicy cucumber in my refrigerator ? Thanks

(0)
- Maangchi New York City joined 8/08
  Posted July 19th, 2015 at 10:37 am | # | Log in to reply.
  
  You can keep it in the fridge up to 2-3 days. It won’t go bad but lots of liquid from the cucumber will be drawn out. Best thing is to make the amount you can finish in one sitting.
  
  (0)
cdnsongbird British Columbia joined 1/14
Posted June 8th, 2015 at 7:42 pm | # | Log in to reply.

My host mom in Seoul fed me this every day. So excited to find it here!

(0)
Dee_ joined 5/15
Posted May 24th, 2015 at 5:38 pm | # | Log in to reply.

This is my favorite side dish and I love that you posted a recipe for it. Thank you!

(0)
momnamedjules RSM, California joined 1/14
Posted May 10th, 2015 at 8:02 pm | # | Log in to reply.

Maangchi, LOVE this dish. I couldn’t stop eating it while still in the mixing bowl!! I added shredded carrots I had from another dish, and used a left over red onion instead of a white. We’re having it tonight for Mother’s Day dinner with my parents. Thank you again for this delicious dish! Happy Mother’s Day, Maangchi!

(0)
- Maangchi New York City joined 8/08
  Posted May 13th, 2015 at 10:54 am | # | Log in to reply.
  
  yay, awesome!
  
  (0)
hyunee joined 5/15
Posted May 4th, 2015 at 7:34 am | # | Log in to reply.

Can I replace hot pepper flakes with hot pepper paste? cause i don’t have it :(

(0)
- Maangchi New York City joined 8/08
  Posted May 5th, 2015 at 12:19 pm | # | Log in to reply.
  
  yes, why not? It will turn out delicious!
  
  (0)
  - hyunee joined 5/15
    Posted May 6th, 2015 at 7:19 am | # | Log in to reply.
    
    it’ll taste the same?
    
    (0)
  - hyunee joined 5/15
    Posted May 6th, 2015 at 7:20 am | # | Log in to reply.
    
    got it, thank you, maangchi! :)
    
    (0)
acari joined 5/15
Posted May 4th, 2015 at 5:57 am | # | Log in to reply.

I’m from the Philippines. We are just in Korea for 2 months. I saw it best to cook Korean food which I haven’t cooked before (except for the marinated minced beef in bibimbap). It is obviously practical.

Your recipes have been my guide. It is so helpful. We get the to eat yummy and healthy Korean food.

Your ingredients guide helped me get the ingredients I need here as I don’t understand Korean.

Thank you!

By the way, this spicy cucumber side dish is really yummy!!

(0)
- Maangchi New York City joined 8/08
  Posted May 5th, 2015 at 12:21 pm | # | Log in to reply.
  
  Nice meeting you through my website! Good luck with your Korean cooking!
  
  (0)
Tosin_Oc London, UK joined 3/15
Posted May 3rd, 2015 at 3:21 pm | # | Log in to reply.

This looks fantastic as usual Maangchi! I would LOVE LOVE LOVE if you could do an updated Bibimbap recipe video. It’s such an iconic Korean dish, I know you’ll make it the traditional way and it’ll taste sensational. I’m particularly interested in Dolsot Bibimbap! Thanks so much Maangchi! :D

(0)
- Maangchi New York City joined 8/08
  Posted May 3rd, 2015 at 8:47 pm | # | Log in to reply.
  
  ok Tosin. Dolsot bibimbap is one of my new cookbook recipes. I will make a new video for it soon.
  
  (0)
  - Tosin_Oc London, UK joined 3/15
    Posted May 4th, 2015 at 4:02 am | # | Log in to reply.
    
    Oh yaaaaaaayyyy I can’t wait!!! Thank you so much!! :)
    
    (0)
knitkitsune United States joined 6/14
Posted May 1st, 2015 at 8:00 pm | # | Log in to reply.

Hello Maangchi!

I made this tonight to go with some doenjang jigae and it was delicious! Thank you for another wonderful recipe!

(0)
- Maangchi New York City joined 8/08
  Posted May 3rd, 2015 at 8:48 pm | # | Log in to reply.
  
  Doenjang jjigae and oimuchim are good choices! Yummy!
  
  (0)
TaeguChadd New Jersey joined 2/11
Posted May 1st, 2015 at 5:14 pm | # | Log in to reply.

I made it as is – no soaking or pre-prep. Just washed, chopped cucumbers and added seasoning and tossed – OMG SOOOOOOOOO delish and even people who don’t usually like spicy food ate their fingers!! Delicious!! Thanks Maangchi!!

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(0)
- Maangchi New York City joined 8/08
  Posted May 3rd, 2015 at 8:49 pm | # | Log in to reply.
  
  It looks so fresh and juicy!
  
  (0)
kimchiaddict joined 4/15
Posted May 1st, 2015 at 12:02 am | # | Log in to reply.

hi pp_123 maybe soak 3 to 6 mn in içy 15/20% seasalt solution, test for softening, rinse quickly, and dry it flat on towels without pressing. might retain a good bit of crunch and rigidity. but the secret is given by Maanchi: mix the paste separately ahead if need be, but mix it with the cuke only when you are ready to serve it immediately.

(0)
pp_123 Hong Kong joined 12/14
Posted April 30th, 2015 at 4:47 pm | # | Log in to reply.

Hi Maangchi~
Do I need to add a little salt to the cucumber and let it sit for some time so as to get rid of the water inside? I always do that when I make dishes with raw cucumbers.

(0)
- Maangchi New York City joined 8/08
  Posted May 3rd, 2015 at 8:51 pm | # | Log in to reply.
  
  That’s another version of oimuchim. This recipe is like a salad as I described in the recipe.
  
  (0)

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English name: Spicy cucumber side dish
Other English name(s): seasoned cucumber, spicy cucumber salad
Korean name: 오이무침
Romanized: Oi-muchim
Also Romanized as: oi-moochim

Categories: cold, easy, side dish, spicy, vegetarian
Made with: cucumber, english cucumber, garlic, green onion, hot pepper flakes, kirby, onion, sesame oil, sesame seeds, soy sauce, sugar,