Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon soy sauce
½ teaspoon sugar
2 medium cucumbers, thinly sliced
½ teaspoon salt
2 green onions, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tablespoon Korean red pepper flakes (Gochugaru)
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
Fresh cilantro (optional) for garnish
Directions:
Prepare the cucumbers:
Thinly slice the cucumbers and sprinkle with salt. Let them sit for 10-15 minutes to draw out excess water.
Rinse the cucumbers under cold water and drain well. Squeeze out any remaining water to keep the salad crisp.
Make the dressing:
In a small bowl, mix together minced garlic, Korean red pepper flakes, sesame oil, soy sauce, sugar, and rice vinegar. Stir until the sugar dissolves completely.
Combine and marinate:
In a large bowl, toss the cucumbers with the chopped green onions.
Pour the dressing over the cucumber mixture and toss to evenly coat. Let it marinate for at least 10 minutes to absorb the flavors.
Finish and serve:
Before serving, sprinkle toasted sesame seeds over the salad.
Garnish with fresh cilantro if desired for an extra burst of flavor.
Enjoy this refreshing and spicy Korean cucumber salad as a perfect side dish!