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Cucumber Kimchi (Oi Kimchi)

🇰🇷 South Korea

Prep: 15 minutes Total: 45 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1.5 pounds cucumbers (Korean or Kirby pickling cucumbers)
  • 1 tablespoon coarse sea salt (less if using fine salt)
  • 2 to 3 ounces garlic chives, or scallions
  • 1/4 medium onion, thinly sliced
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons gochugaru (Korean red chili pepper flakes)
  • 1 tablespoon fish sauce
  • 1 tablespoon salted fermented shrimp (saeujeot), or more fish sauce
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1/2 teaspoon grated ginger
  • 2 to 3 teaspoons sugar or 2 tablespoons Korean plum syrup (maesilcheong)
  • 1 teaspoon roasted sesame seeds (optional)

Steps

  1. Cut cucumbers in half lengthwise, then in half again lengthwise, and dice into 1 to 1.5 inch pieces.
  2. Sprinkle salt evenly over the cucumber pieces and let sit for about 30 minutes.
  3. Drain the cucumbers well in a strainer to remove released water; do not rinse.
  4. Cut garlic chives into 1.5 inch pieces and thinly slice the onion.
  5. Add the onion, garlic chives, and all remaining ingredients to the salted cucumbers.
  6. Toss everything together until the cucumbers are well coated with the seasoning; the mixture will look dry at first but will release moisture as it sits.

Notes

Best served fresh, as this is a quick, unfermented kimchi meant to be eaten soon after making.

Source: www.koreanbapsang.com