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

41 Comments:

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!!
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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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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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?
- Jimmy19 California joined 7/17
  Posted July 4th, 2017 at 11:54 am | # | Log in to reply.
  
  The taste will be more fermented and “sour” as it progresses, but I know you can keep it in the fridge for at least a week or two (possibly even longer) – as long as you eat it clean; don’t eat it straight from the batch (ie. don’t let your saliva touch it). But I’m not 100% sure if it keeps for months like kim chi. I always prefer my kim chi and Oi-muchim freshly made, maybe 1 or 2 days old tops.
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!
- 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!
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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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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- 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
  - 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!

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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,