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    Home » Recipes

    Oi Naengguk (Chilled Cucumber Soup)

    Published 07/14/2019. Updated 06/12/2020

    Jump to Recipe

     A classic chilled soup made with cucumber and seaweed (miyeok). It’s a refreshingly tangy soup that’s perfect for hot summer days!

    DSC 4961 3 - Oi Naengguk (Chilled Cucumber Soup)

    Oi naengguk (오이냉국) is a classic Korean chilled soup. Oi means cucumber, and naengguk means chilled soup. It’s one of those dishes that remind me of my childhood summertime meals! My mother made this chilled cucumber soup quite often for us. It’s a refreshingly tangy soup that’s perfect on a hot summer day!

    Cucumber and miyeok (seaweed)

    I use Korean cucumbers which I can easily find around here in summer. You can also use any crunchy cucumbers, such as Kirby, English, Persian, and Japanese varieties.

    Growing up, my mother would always add miyeok to this soup, which is a sea vegetable (edible seaweed). Dried miyeok is a pantry staple for making soups and side dishes. Once soaked, miyeok turns green, plump, and ready to be eaten. However, blanching it briefly in boiling hot water softens the texture and brightens the green color.

    The crunchy cucumber together with slightly chewy and slippery seaweed creates interesting textural contrasts and a flavor combination, making the dish far more interesting than the cucumber alone!

    DSC 4953 2 - Oi Naengguk (Chilled Cucumber Soup)

    Depending on which ingredient is used more, the soup can also be called miyeok naengguk (미역냉국). Some people call it oi miyeok naengguk (오이미역냉국), recognizing both ingredients.

    Simply use more cucumber if you are not adding miyeok.

    How to make Korean chilled cucumber soup

    To make the soup, I season the cucumber and seaweed first with the seasoning ingredients. The soup soy sauce (guk ganjang) and vinegar are important for flavoring this soup. You can make ahead up to this point, and then add cold water and season with salt when ready to use. Don’t forget to drop a couple of ice cubes in right before serving.

    More chilled soup recipes

    Kongguksu (Chilled Soy Milk Noodle Soup)
    Chogyetang (Chilled Chicken Soup)
    Naengmyeon (Cold Noodles)

    DSC 4925 - Oi Naengguk (Chilled Cucumber Soup)

    For more Korean cooking inspirations, follow  along on YouTube, Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

    DSC 4974 2 350x350 - Oi Naengguk (Chilled Cucumber Soup)

    Oi Naengguk (Chilled Cucumber Soup)

    4.56 from 9 votes
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 5 minutes
    Resting time: 30 minutes
    Servings: 4
    Print Recipe

    Ingredients

    • 1 Korean cucumber or 2 Kirby (pickling) cucumbers (5 – 6 ounces)
    • 1 cup soaked miyeok, 미역 (seaweed – about 1/2 ounce dried miyeok)
    • 1 Korean green or red chili pepper or scallion

    Seasonings

    • 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
    • 2 tablespoons soup soy sauce (guk ganjang, 국간장)
    • 3 to 4 tablespoons vinegar
    • 1 teaspoon Korean red chili pepper flakes
    • 1 teaspoon sugar
    • 2 teaspoons sesame seeds
    • 4 cups of water
    • salt to taste about ½ teaspoon

    Instructions

    • Cut the cucumber into matchsticks. Finely chop the chili pepper (or scallion).
      DSC 4903 2 640x427 - Oi Naengguk (Chilled Cucumber Soup)
    • Prepare the dried seaweed by soaking for 10 to 20 minutes and rinsing well. (See my miyeok guk recipe for more.) Boil water in a small pot, and add 1 teaspoon of salt. Blanch the soaked seaweed briefly, 20 to 30 seconds. Drain and rinse with cold water. Drain again, squeeze out excess water, and cut into bite size pieces.
      DSC 4908 640x427 - Oi Naengguk (Chilled Cucumber Soup)
    • In a medium size bowl, gently toss the vegetables with the seasoning ingredients. Set aside for about 10 minutes. You can make ahead up to this point several hours or a day before, if desired.
      DSC 4915 640x427 - Oi Naengguk (Chilled Cucumber Soup)
    • Mix in 4 cups of cold water and season with salt. Start with a half teaspoon of salt, taste and add more if necessary. Refrigerate to chill. Serve in chilled bowls with some ice cubes.
      DSC 4921 640x427 - Oi Naengguk (Chilled Cucumber Soup)
    Tried this recipe?Mention @koreanbapsang or tag #koreanbapsang!

    This oi naengguk recipe was originally posted in July 2011. I’ve updated it here with new photos and an improved recipe.

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