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Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad Recipe

4.5 from 112 reviews

This Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad is a vibrant and refreshing side dish, featuring crisp cucumbers tossed in a flavorful mix of gochugaru, soy sauce, sesame oil, and rice vinegar. Perfect as a quick appetizer or a palate cleanser, this salad brings a delightful balance of heat, tanginess, and nuttiness in every bite.

Ingredients

Scale

Salad Ingredients

  • 4 Persian cucumbers, ends removed and cut into 1/2 inch chunks
  • 1 tablespoon gochugaru (Korean red chili flakes)
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
  • 3 teaspoons soy sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon sugar

Instructions

  1. Prepare Cucumbers: Wash and dry the Persian cucumbers, then trim the ends and cut them into 1/2 inch chunks to ensure bite-sized pieces that will absorb the dressing well.
  2. Mix Dressing: In a mixing bowl, combine gochugaru, soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and sugar. Stir thoroughly until the sugar dissolves and the ingredients are well blended to create a balanced spicy and tangy dressing.
  3. Toss Salad: Add the cucumber chunks to the bowl with the dressing. Toss everything gently but thoroughly to coat every cucumber piece evenly with the spicy dressing.
  4. Add Sesame Seeds: Sprinkle the sesame seeds over the salad and give it a final toss or mix to distribute the seeds, adding a toasty nuttiness and crunchy texture to the dish.
  5. Chill and Serve: For best flavor, refrigerate the salad for at least 15-20 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld and cucumbers to absorb the dressing.

Notes

  • Using Persian cucumbers ensures a crunchier texture and less watery salad.
  • Gochugaru can be adjusted based on your spice preference; reduce if you want a milder salad.
  • This salad can be served fresh or after chilling in the refrigerator for enhanced flavor.
  • For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari.
  • Sesame seeds can be toasted lightly for extra depth of flavor.

Keywords: Korean cucumber salad, spicy cucumber salad, gochugaru salad, Korean side dish, easy salad recipe, no-cook salad