A simple light Korean cucumber side dish that's like a salad. Very light seasoning allows the cucumber flavor to stand out.
Prep time: PT4M
Cook time: PT1M
Total time: PT5M
Rating
4.98 stars (48 reviews)
Keywords
simple, soy sauce, sweet
Ingredients
1 cucumber ((Japanese, English, Persian, Pickling are all good) – about 1 1/2 cup sliced for 1 cucumber)
1 Tbsp soy sauce ((Jin Ganjang))
2 Tbsp rice vinegar
1 Tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp Korean red chili powder
1/4 tsp sesame seeds
2 green onions (, chopped)
Categories
Salad
Cuisine
Korean
Steps
Slice cucumbers into thin slices. Around 1/8 inch (3 mm).
Mix soy sauce, vinegar and sugar in a bowl. Pour soy vinegar into the bowl with cucumbers.
Then, add 1/2 tsp chili powder and sesame seeds. Mix and taste. Add more chili powder if you want. Doing it in this order allows you to taste and control the amount of chili powder based on how spicy you want it.
Add chopped green onions and mix again.
YOU ARE DONE!! Serve immediately for the most fresh and crunchy cucumber flavor. You can also let it sit for 10-15 minutes for the cucumbers to absorb the dressing before serving.
Nutitrion
Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 60 kcal
Carbohydrates: 12 g
Protein: 1 g
Sodium: 468 mg
Sugar: 9 g
Reviews
Hendrik on 2026-05-03 (5 stars): Excellent side dish. Light, refreshing, great flavour, and a nice contrast to heavier things like beef Bulgogi. Highly recommended.
Kasia on 2026-04-19 (5 stars): I was making a quick lunch, bowl of warm rice and tin of sardines and a tin of mussels in olive oil and wanted something refreshing on the side and I actually had everything on hand! Finally was so happy I got to use my fresh bag of Gochugaru, I did use a Persian cucumber instead and this was amazing, so refreshing. I'm curious how this tastes as it sits in the fridge, I'll have to make another batch because we ate it all haha. Really delicious recipe, thank you so much!
Patrycja on 2026-01-18 (5 stars): Recently started Hansik style and fall in love with Korean cuisine. Trying to learn more and more each day. Glad I found this page. Thank you 🙏
Jojo on 2025-12-20 (5 stars): Really great flavor! I loved the “lighter” seasoning as you mentioned. I’ll definitely be making this on repeat!
Nini on 2025-10-01 (5 stars): I love this simpler lighter version. It gave a perfect crunch to my meal.
LexiLu on 2025-08-20 (5 stars): so umamily good. i loved the heat i subbed in gochujang paste brings... the sweet and heat work well together
J Walker on 2025-06-25 (5 stars): Made it this evening and it was a hit with all 3 kids and my wife. Used English cucumbers slice in half cut sliced into 5mm slices.
Lauren M on 2025-04-21 (5 stars): I made this yesterday to have with hot honey beef bowls. Three mini snacking cucumbers added up to 1.5 cups. I wish I had doubled the recipe - it's so good! I wasn't able to find Korean chili powder at the regular grocery store, and didn't have time to run to the Asian market, so I used togarashi. I will definitely be making this weekly!
