Oi bokkeum (오이볶음) is a stir-fried cucumber side dish that’s quick and easy to make. Oi is cucumber, and bokkeum means stir-fried.
I know stir-frying cucumbers may sound a little strange to some of you, but it’s commonly done in Korean cooking. Stir-frying brings out the sweetness of the cucumbers, and it’s quite delicious! It will be a nice addition to your Korean side dish repertoire.
We prepare cucumbers in many different ways. Some are prepared raw, salted, and/or seasoned either mildly or spicy for Korean side dishes. In my bibimbap recipe, you can find a mildly seasoned cucumber side dish, and spicy oi muchim is always very popular.
Any thin-skinned, crunchy variety of cucumbers are good for this dish. Of course, Korean cucumbers are perfect for this dish. Persian cucumbers seem to be always available around here. They are crunchy, sweet, and have delicately thin skin. English cucumbers, which are usually sold wrapped in plastic, are also great for this dish.
How to stir-fry cucumbers
Lightly salt the cucumbers first to draw out water, and then tightly squeeze out the water content. This process keeps the cucumbers crunchy even after being stir-fried.
The key is to stir fry quickly and not to overcook the cucumbers, so the cucumbers maintain the nice green color as well as the crunchy texture.
This is vegan! However, you can always add some ground (or thin strips) beef, pork, chicken, etc. Simply, season separately and cook the meat through first before adding the cucumbers to the pan.
More cucumber recipes
Oi muchim (spicy cucumber side dish)
Oi kimchi (cucumber kimchi)
Oi sobagi (stuffed cucumber kimchi)
Oiji (Korean pickled cucumbers)
Oi naengguk (chilled cucumber soup)
Jangajji (Vegetable pickles)
For more Korean cooking inspirations, follow along on YouTube, Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Ingredients
- 1 pound cucumbers (about 4 to 5 short varieties such as Kirby or Persian or 1 English cucumber)
- 1.5 teaspoons salt
- 1 tablespoon oil for stir-frying
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 small scallion finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon sesame seeds (preferably crushed)
Instructions
- Cut the cucumbers in half lengthwise, and then thinly slice crosswise slightly diagonally. If the cucumbers are thin, you can simply cut into thin rounds.
- Lightly salt the cucumber slices with salt to coat evenly. Let sit for about 10 minutes.
- Tightly squeeze out the water content from the salted cucumber slices. Don’t worry about bruising them. They will bounce back when stir-fried.
- Heat a pan over high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of oil to the pan. Quickly stir in the garlic. Add the cucumbers. Stir-fry for a minute until the cucumbers are slightly cooked. Do not overcook. Turn off the heat. Toss well with the scallion, sesame oil, and sesame seeds.
Robert B Cameron says
Since there’s a 10 minute rest time in the instructions, I suggest you revise the prep time to more than 5 minutes. I’d suggest 20 (5 to prep the cukes, 10 to rest and prep the garlic and scallion, and collect other ingredients, 5 for general human inefficiency), then the 10 minutes seems right for heating the oil, cooking, and then mixing in everything to serve. I haven’t tried this yet, intend to soon, thanks.
Ebby says
I made this because my cuces half froze in my fridge. I was trying to salvange them and this recipe was 3d on the list of “how to cook cucumber”.
It’s wonderful. Thank you.
afra says
So simple and so tasty! What a great recipe for a quick healthy side dish. Thank you so much!! Having grown up with only raw cucumber it still blows my mind when I eat them cooked 🙂
Jen F. says
These were delicious and easy to make. We have a ton of cucumbers to use up from our garden. I’ll definitely be making this one again!
Hyosun says
So happy to hear that! Nice you have a ton of cucumbers from your garden. I wish I do too.
Alex says
This sounds delicious. I never tried “cooking” the cucumber before. Thanks for the receipe!
Malisa says
Thank you for this recipe! I want to try this! I’m wondering if I can make this ahead. Can this be served cold (after being stored in refrigerator) or should it always be served hot?
Jonathan Bryans says
I’ve just made this…..so good and tasty….its is good hot as well as cold….i did not have the perpila seeds , so I lightly crushed some sesame seed and added it. I am looking forward to my lunch box which will contain this recipe and stir fried asian long beans……yummm!!
Karen says
Sounds like a wonderful idea. I like to do stir fry bok choy or broccoli making extra to put in frig for a cold vegetable. Very refreshing this way!
Tammy says
Stir fried cucumber(?), sounds great,
I’ll cook today..
Julie says
This is delicious! It’s the only way I can get my daughter to eat cucumbers. How long can I keep this in the fridge? Will it lose its crunch if eaten the next day after making?
Hyosun says
Hi Julie – Nice to hear your daughter likes cucumber this way. It will be fine the next day, but this dish is best to eat within a couple of days.
shirley heisey says
In 1998-2000 I was in ROK, teaching English. My students took me to a very nice restaurant for a meal, a treat I always enjoyed and appreciated) Even though the HOT foods could be a challenge. I always found something I could enjoy. At this very nice restaurant, they served a “dessert” I enjoyed, tried to learn about, and never saw again. What I think I learned from my students, it was a slice of soybean “cake” with a light, airy sponge texture. It was mildly sweet, and very tasty. Do you know what that woulld be? Do you make it? I want to learn about it.