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

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Are you looking for the perfect recipe to make a spicy Korean cucumber salad? Then you are at the right place. This salad is super easy to make, requires only 6 ingredients and is ready to serve in less than 30 minutes!

Korean Cucumber Salad Recipe (spicy, easy, vegan) - Carlo Cao (2)

This salad is perfect to serve on a summer day (when we need something refreshing) or to use as a side dish with an oat schnitzel or chickpea nuggets.

Before you jump into the kitchen to make this recipe I suggest you read this blog-post carefully. In fact, I will explain important details such as how to substitute ingredients or how to store the leftovers.

Jump to:
  • Ingredients
  • Instructions
  • Substitutions
  • Variations
  • Equipment
  • How to store
  • Top tip
  • Related recipes
  • Leave a comment
  • Pin the recipe
  • 📖 Recipe
  • Food safety
  • 💬 Reviews
Korean Cucumber Salad Recipe (spicy, easy, vegan) - Carlo Cao (3)

Ingredients

Making this Korean cucumber salad is super easy and requires only a handful of Ingredients. To make it you'll only need the following:

  • baby cucumbers
  • Korean chili flakes (gochugaru)
  • rice vinegar
  • light soy sauce
  • garlic cloves
  • roasted sesame seeds
Korean Cucumber Salad Recipe (spicy, easy, vegan) - Carlo Cao (4)

Instructions

Making this salad is super quick and easy. Here's a quick visual explanation on how to make it:

Korean Cucumber Salad Recipe (spicy, easy, vegan) - Carlo Cao (5)

Start by placing a cucumber between two chopsticks and cut it diagonally (with a 45° angle). The chopsticks will prevent you from cutting through. Then flip the cucumber and cut it straight. If you need more help take a look at this video (00:50-1:30).

Korean Cucumber Salad Recipe (spicy, easy, vegan) - Carlo Cao (6)

Place cucumbers in a bowl and set aside.

Korean Cucumber Salad Recipe (spicy, easy, vegan) - Carlo Cao (7)

In a bowl, mix all the sauce ingredients until combined.

Korean Cucumber Salad Recipe (spicy, easy, vegan) - Carlo Cao (8)

Pour the sauce over the cucumbers and stir. Allow to rest for 15 minutes and serve straight away.

Hint: When you stir the cucumbers be gentle, you do not want to break them.

Substitutions

Before we go to the actual recipe let me explain to you how to substitute some ingredients:

  • Korean chili flakes - You can find them in any Asia store and on the internet. They are not so easy to substitute because they have a very special taste. That said the thing that comes closest to them is sweet paprika powder.
  • Rice vinegar - use the same amount of apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar.
  • Garlic - If you don't like it you can leave it off or replace it with garlic powder (it will taste less like garlic).
Korean Cucumber Salad Recipe (spicy, easy, vegan) - Carlo Cao (9)

Variations

Sometimes we do not have the time to finely chop cucumbers into "accordions". In this case we can finely slice them into rounds and then mix them with the sauce. The result will still be absolutely delicious!

Also, if you want to be a little extra you can top them with crushed peanuts and the green part of a spring onion (thinly sliced).

Equipment

For this spicy Korean Salad all you need are 2 bowls, 2 chop sticks and 15 minutes of time.

Korean Cucumber Salad Recipe (spicy, easy, vegan) - Carlo Cao (10)

How to store

If you have any leftovers don't throw them away.

You can place the salad in an air-tight container and store it in the fridge for 1 day.

Top tip

If you want to add an extra touch of crunchiness you can top your salad with a teaspoon of crushed peanuts and the green part of a spring onion (thinly sliced)!

Korean Cucumber Salad Recipe (spicy, easy, vegan) - Carlo Cao (11)

If you love this recipe I'm sure you'll love these as well:

  • Sesame crusted Mushroom Pie
  • Vegan Chickpea Nuggets
  • The Ultimate Vegan Wellington
  • Vegan Mushroom Pasta

Leave a comment

If you try this recipe please let me know! Leave a comment at the end of this blog-post, rate the recipe in the recipe card below and don't forget to tag a photo or video with #carlocao or #vegaliciously on Instagram or Tiktok.

Pin the recipe

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📖 Recipe

Korean Cucumber Salad Recipe (spicy, easy, vegan) - Carlo Cao (12)

Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad (Oi Muchim)

Carlo Cao

This Korean cucumber salad is super easy to make, requires only 6 ingredients and is ready to serve in less than 30 minutes! If you need a refreshing side-dish that's the way to go!

4.84 from 12 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Resting Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Course Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine Korean

Servings 2

Ingredients

  • 6 Kirby pickling cucumbers

Sauce

  • 1 tablespoon roasted sesame seeds
  • 1 tablespoon Korean red chili pepper flakes (gochugaru)
  • ½ teaspoon garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
  • 1 rablespoon light soy sauce
  • ½ teaspoon sugar
  • 1 splash of water

Instructions

  • Place a cucumber between two chopsticks.

  • Cut straight slices from top to bottom, the chopsticks create a barrier to prevent you from cutting through.

  • Then flip the cucumber so that the uncut side faces up and cut slightly diagonal this time.

  • Repeat with the remaining cucumbers.

  • Grind sesame seeds in a mortar (or blender).

  • For the sauce, mix all the ingredients (including sesame seeds) in a bowl.

  • Pour over the cucumbers, mix and set aside for 10-15 minutes.

  • Enjoy!

Keyword cucumber salad, spicy

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Food safety

  • Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Reply

  1. Judy Rowen says

    Korean Cucumber Salad Recipe (spicy, easy, vegan) - Carlo Cao (13)
    This was exactly as I remember! I found baby, seedless cucumbers at my grocery store and tried this recipe. Easy and delicious! Thanks!

    Reply

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

FAQs

What to put on Korean cucumber salad? ›

Add the sliced cucumbers to a large mixing bowl, then add the rest of the ingredients: minced garlic, sliced green onions, gochugaru (Korean red chili flakes), toasted sesame seeds, toasted sesame oil, soy sauce, and a little bit of sugar.

What is the difference between a Korean cucumber and a regular cucumber? ›

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

Does cucumber salad get soggy? ›

No matter how you dress them, salting and draining sliced cucumbers maximizes crunchy texture. The challenge: More often than not, by the time you eat a cucumber salad the cucumbers have gone soft and watery, losing their appealing crunch and diluting the dressing to near tastelessness.

How to mash up cucumber? ›

On a work surface, place a piece of cucumber (or several) cut side down. Lay the blade of a large knife flat on top the cucumber and smash down lightly with your other hand. The skin will begin to crack, the flesh will break down and the seeds will separate. Repeat until the whole piece is smashed.

What is the best salad cucumber? ›

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!

What does a cucumber salad contain? ›

This easy cucumber salad consists of nothing more than the cucumbers, some rice vinegar, either dill or basil, and salt and pepper. You don't even really need the herbs!

What are number 1 cucumbers? ›

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.

Which type of cucumber is the healthiest? ›

When it comes to the nutritional content of cucumbers, there is generally not a significant difference between different varieties in terms of essential nutrients. Most cucumber varieties are low in calories and provide hydration, dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

What is the best tasting cucumber in the world? ›

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.

Why is my cucumber salad bitter? ›

A cucumber's bitterness is caused by cucurbitacin, a bitter chemical that protects the plant from predators. Usually, cucurbitacin stays in the stem and leaves, but it can work its way into the fruit. A cucumber's bitterness is caused by cucurbitacin, a bitter chemical that protects the plant from predators.

How to make cucumbers extra crunchy? ›

Just place the slices or chunks in a colander over a bowl or sink. Sprinkle them with a couple of pinches of salt, toss to coat, and let them rest for about 30 minutes. Pat them dry with a paper towel and proceed with the recipe.

What can you put on cucumbers to make them taste good? ›

Enhance the taste of cucumbers by incorporating herbs and spices. Sprinkle freshly chopped mint, basil, cilantro, or dill over sliced cucumbers to add a burst of freshness. Additionally, spices like black pepper, cumin, or paprika can provide a subtle kick to the cucumbers, making them more interesting and flavorful.

How do you spice up raw cucumbers? ›

Cucumber flavor partners

Season cucumbers with salt, pepper, onion, garlic, dill, basil, mint, or tarragon.

What is a Persian cucumber? ›

A Persian cucumber is a small, tender cucumber with a smooth exterior, thin skin, and very few seeds. They're narrower than regular cucumbers and have a crisp interior and mild flavor, and they tend to be less watery than other cucumbers.

What goes good on cucumber? ›

Almonds, basil, chervil, coriander, cumin, dill, macadamia, mint, oregano, paprika, parsley, pine nuts, pistachio, sage, tarragon, thyme. Beef, capers, chicken, crab, cream cheese, duck, feta, freekeh, goat cheese, olives, pork, quinoa, salami, salmon, sesame, turkey, za'atar.

What flavor compliments cucumber? ›

Herbs: Cucumbers pair well with fresh herbs such as mint, dill, basil, and cilantro. Dairy: Cucumbers pair well with dairy products such as yogurt, sour cream, and cream cheese. Vinegar: Cucumbers pair well with vinegars such as rice vinegar, balsamic vinegar, and white wine vinegar.

What do you eat Korean radishes with? ›

It's an essential ingredient for making kimchi, adds a fresh taste to stew, and is also great in bibimbap (a Korean mixed rice dish). When I make this Korean stir-fried radish, I always use it for bibimbap. Because of that, I want this banchan (side dish) to be simple in taste and preparation.

What do you eat pickled cucumbers with? ›

Pickled cucumbers can be used in a variety of recipes to add a tangy and crunchy flavor. You can chop them up and add them to salads, sandwiches, or wraps for an extra kick. They can also be used as a topping for tacos, burgers, or hot dogs to add a burst of flavor.

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