1-Making Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad: Start by rinsing and thinly slicing 1 cucumber into 0.5 cm pieces for the best texture. This preparation helps the flavors soak in evenly, making every bite satisfying.

2-Next: add 1 tablespoon coarse salt or 1 teaspoon fine sea salt to the slices and let them rest for 15 minutes. After that, rinse and drain them well to remove excess moisture, which keeps the salad from getting watery. In a bowl, mix 1 tablespoon Korean chili flakes, 1 teaspoon white or rice vinegar, 1 teaspoon white sugar, 1 teaspoon minced garlic, and 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds for the dressing.

3-Thinly slice 1/4 onion and toss it with the cucumber and seasoning sauce until everything is coated. For an extra kick, add 1/2 teaspoon Korean chili paste and a tiny bit of sesame oil. Refrigerate the mixture for 30 minutes to let the flavors meld and enhance the taste. Once ready, it’s a refreshing side that pairs well with many meals, and you can explore similar easy salads here for more ideas.