10-Minute Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad (Oi-Muchim): The Perfect Kimchi Substitute

Hello everyone! Welcome back to the blog.

Today, I’m sharing a recipe for one of my absolute favourite Korean side dishes (Banchan): Oi-Muchim (오이무침).

If you’re looking for something refreshing, spicy, and incredibly crunchy to brighten up your meal, this is it. It’s the perfect "emergency" kimchi substitute when you’re out of baechu-kimchi but crave that spicy kick!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Super Fast: It takes literally 10 minutes from start to finish.

• Budget-Friendly: I picked up two long cucumbers at the store yesterday for just $1 each!

• Versatile: It pairs beautifully with everything—Curry rice, Bibimbap, or just a simple bowl of warm white rice.

Ingredients

• 2 Long Cucumbers (English or Persian cucumbers work great)

• 1 Small Onion

• A pinch of Salt (for initial seasoning)

The Magic Sauce:

• 2 tbsp Korean Red Chili Flakes (Gochugaru)

• 1 tbsp Korean Red Chili Paste (Gochujang)

• 1 tbsp Seasoned Soy Sauce

• 1/2 tbsp Minced Garlic

• 1 tbsp Plum Extract (Maesil-cheong) — Substitute with 1 tbsp sugar if unavailable.

• 1/2 tbsp Toasted Sesame Oil

• 1/2 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar

• 1/2 of the small onion (finely minced)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prep the Veggies

Wash your cucumbers. If they aren't too thick, you can slice them into simple "coin" shapes. Mine were quite large today, so I sliced them in half lengthwise first, then chopped them into half-moon shapes.

2. Salt and Toss

Place the sliced cucumbers in a bowl and sprinkle with a little salt. Some people like to let them sit for 10 minutes and drain the water, but since I’m making a small batch for immediate eating, I skip the draining to keep things quick!

3. Prepare the Onion

Take your small onion and cut it in half. Slice one half into thin strips to mix with the cucumbers. Mince the other half finely to go directly into the sauce—this adds a wonderful depth of flavour.

4. Mix it Up!

In a small bowl, combine all the "Magic Sauce" ingredients. Pour the sauce over the cucumbers and onions.

5. The "No-Glove" Hack (with a lesson!)

I realized I was out of disposable gloves today. As we say in Korea, "If you don't have teeth, use your gums!"—so I used a clean plastic bag as a makeshift glove to mix everything thoroughly. Self-reflection: I really need to find a more eco-friendly way to do this next time! Let's all think of ways to reduce single-use plastics in the kitchen.

The Result

And you're done! Crunchy, spicy, and slightly sweet. This Oi-Muchim is the ultimate "quick fix" side dish.

Whether you’re serving it with a heavy meat dish or a simple vegetarian bowl, it adds that perfect acidic brightness that cuts through richness. I hope this simple recipe finds a permanent spot in your kitchen rotation!

Happy cooking!