Authentic Korean Cucumber Salad

Authentic Korean Cucumber Salad

When I lived in Korea for a couple of years, I was so impressed with how deliciously they prepared their fresh vegetables and this was one of my favourite dishes.  You can make this completely raw by not toasting the sesame seeds, but in that case I would recommend still adding a few drops of the sesame oil to the vinegar mixture for flavour, but it’s up to you.

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 2 tbsp sesame seeds
  • 1 cucumber, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 green onion, sliced
  • 1/2 carrot, julienned
  • 1/2 red pepper, sliced

Instructions: 

Step 1: In a medium bowl, stir together apple cider vinegar, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
Heat oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat.

Step 2: Stir in sesame seeds, and reduce heat to medium. Cook until seeds are brown, about 5 minutes. Remove seeds with a slotted spoon, and stir into vinegar mixture. Mix in cucumber, green onions, and carrot. Cover, and refrigerate at least 5 minutes.

Step 3: Enjoy!  And if you really want to make it an authentic Korean experience, say “Chalmok-gesimnida” (kinda long but just try) right before you eat.  It means “I will eat well,” and Koreans usually always say this out loud before eating 🙂

Chelsea Goodrich

Chelsea has worked as part of the Young and Raw team as a Holistic Health Coach and Customer Support Rawkstar. After a life-long fascination with natural health she made the transition to a high raw, plant based diet about five years ago, and found this helped her gain relief of periodic chronic migraines, fatigue, and sleep problems. Her overall energy and mood was elevated, and her problematic skin improved dramatically. This experience deepened her interest in natural health studies and led her to attend and graduate from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in 2011. Chelsea has also completed a health program through The Hippocrates Health Institute, a Raw Food Chef certification through The Graff Academy, and a Hot Yoga Teacher Training with Hot Yoga Doctor in 2012. She is now pursuing a master's degree in Traditional Oriental Medicine and Acupuncture, and living her dreams in Santa Monica, California. You can contact her at healthgenie@live.com.