Recipe: Cucumber Kimchi Bites
Recently, I shared a recipe for making easy cabbage kimchi, which is a staple at my house. The first kimchi I ever fell in love with, though, was oi sobaegi kimchi, or stuffed cucumber kimchi. I think of this as “gateway kimchi” — it’s only lightly fermented (or not at all), so it isn’t as pungent as many other kimchis, and it has crisp texture that any pickle lover should appreciate.
Oi kimchi is for summer, when cucumbers are at their peak in gardens and markets. On a hot day, biting into these crisp, spicy-cool pickles is especially refreshing. You can eat cucumber kimchi with traditional Korean meals (I’m serving them with bibimbap this week) or as a side dish for any summer barbecue, picnic, or sandwich, like these Korean chicken sliders. The salty savoriness is also fantastic alongside a simple bowl of steamed rice.
This can be ready in about 40 minutes, or you can let the cucumbers ferment for up to a day before moving them to the refrigerator. I like the more complex, sour flavor that develops through fermentation, alongside the beneficial probiotic bacteria. I suggest tasting the cucumbers immediately and then every few hours to learn how you like them best.
Stuffed Cucumber Kimchi (Oi Sobaegi Kimchi)
Serves 4 to 6
Nutritional Info
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds
Kirby cucumbers, Korean cucumbers, or any other unwaxed pickling cucumbers
- 1 tablespoon
+ 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
- 2 teaspoons
grated garlic
- 1 teaspoon
grated ginger
- 1 to 2 tablespoons
Korean red pepper flakes (gochugaru)
- 1 teaspoon
sugar
- 4 ounces
Korean radish or daikon, peeled and julienned
- 2 ounces
sliced Korean chives or scallions, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
Sesame seeds for serving (optional)
Instructions
Wash the cucumbers and pat them dry. Trim and discard the ends. Cut the cucumbers in half for Kirbys or into about 4 pieces for longer Korean cucumbers (each piece should be about 2 to 3 inches long). Stand each piece upright on a cutting board, then slice it in quarters, leaving about 1/2 inch intact at the bottom end. Place the cucumbers cut-side up in a large dish and evenly sprinkle 1 tablespoon of salt over them. Let stand for 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, make the filling. Combine the remaining 1 teaspoon of salt, garlic, ginger, red pepper flakes, and sugar together in a bowl to make a thick paste. Using your hands, mix in the radish and chives or scallions and thoroughly coat them with the paste. (You may want to wear gloves to protect your hands.)
Drain the cucumbers and pat them dry. Stuff each cucumber with the filling, making sure to fill each crevice while being careful not to break the cucumber apart.The cucumbers may be served immediately, chilled first, or fermented and then chilled (recommended). For fermented cucumbers, nestle the cucumbers together in a very clean jar or another container. Cover tightly and let stand at room temperature for 1 to 24 hours. Transfer to the refrigerator and eat within one week. Serve as is or sprinkle sesame seeds on top.