Addictive Crunchy Korean Cucumbers

Addictive Crunchy Korean Cucumbers is a easy Korean recipe that serves 4. 120 calories per serving. Recipe by Cafe Maddy on YouTube.

Prep: 35 min | Cook: PT0M | Total: 45 min

Cost: $2.39 total, $0.60 per serving

Ingredients

  • 4 pieces Persian Cucumbers (about 500 g total, thin‑skinned; if unavailable use 1 large English cucumber, sliced)
  • 1 heaping teaspoon Salt (Kosher or sea salt; used to draw out moisture)
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic (Minced fresh garlic)
  • 1 tablespoon Kukaru Sugar (Fine white sugar; can substitute with regular granulated sugar)
  • 1 tablespoon White Vinegar (Distilled white vinegar; apple cider vinegar works too)
  • 1 tablespoon Toasted Sesame Seeds (Lightly toasted for nutty aroma)

Instructions

  1. Slice the Cucumbers

    Wash the cucumbers, trim the ends, and slice them into ¼‑inch (6 mm) thick rounds or half‑moons.

    Time: PT5M

  2. Salt‑Sweat the Cucumbers

    Place the sliced cucumbers in a large bowl, sprinkle the heaping teaspoon of salt over them, and toss to coat evenly. Let sit for 20 minutes to draw out excess water.

    Time: PT20M

  3. Rinse and Drain

    After 20 minutes, pour the cucumbers into a colander, rinse thoroughly under cold water to remove the salty brine, and press or spin in a clean kitchen towel to squeeze out as much water as possible.

    Time: PT5M

  4. Prepare the Seasoning

    In a small bowl combine minced garlic, Kukaru sugar, white vinegar, and toasted sesame seeds. Stir until the sugar dissolves.

    Time: PT3M

  5. Toss and Finish

    Transfer the drained cucumbers back to the large bowl, pour the seasoning over them, and gently toss until every slice is lightly coated.

    Time: PT2M

  6. Serve or Store

    Serve immediately or transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate. The flavors deepen after a few hours and stay fresh for up to 5‑7 days.

    Time: PT0M

Nutrition Facts

Calories
120
Protein
2 g
Carbohydrates
10 g
Fat
5 g
Fiber
1 g

Dietary info: Vegan, Gluten‑Free, Low‑Calorie

Allergens: Sesame

Last updated: April 7, 2026

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Addictive Crunchy Korean Cucumbers

Recipe by Cafe Maddy

A quick‑pickled Korean cucumber side dish (Oi Muchim) that’s salty, tangy, sweet, and nutty. Made with Persian cucumbers (or regular cucumbers), a simple salt‑sweat step, and a handful of pantry seasonings, this banchan stays crisp for days and is perfect for meal‑prep.

EasyKoreanServes 4

Shop all ingredients on Amazon in one click • Printable PDF with shopping checklist

Source Video
35m
Prep
0m
Cook
10m
Cleanup
45m
Total

Cost Breakdown

$2.39
Total cost
$0.60
Per serving

Critical Success Points

  • Salting and letting the cucumbers sweat for 20 minutes.
  • Rinsing thoroughly and squeezing out excess water to avoid over‑salting.
  • Gentle folding of the seasoning to keep cucumbers crisp.

Safety Warnings

  • Use a sharp knife carefully to avoid cuts.
  • Do not over‑salt; rinse cucumbers until the brine is gone.

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