Cucumber kimchi (oi sobagi) is a Korean stuffed cucumber kimchi that’s crunchy, spicy, and perfect for summer. Easy to make and full of bold fermented flavor.
Cut through a cucumber in a cross pattern, but leave one end of the cucumber uncut. Put cucumbers in a large mixing bowl.
Combine water and salt; bring to boil. Pour the boiling salted water over the cucumbers in a mixing bowl. Put a weight on top of the cucumbers so that they stay immersed in the salt brine. Let them sit for 1 hour, then drain.
To make the kimchi filling, mix together the Asian chives, onion, carrot, Korean chili flakes, Korean anchovy sauce, garlic, ginger puree, sugar, Korean plum extract (optional), sesame seeds, and water in a mixing bowl.
Stuff the cucumber with the kimchi filling, coating the outside of the cucumber with the filling as well. Stack the stuffed cucumber kimchi in an airtight container and cover.
To store and ferment cucumber kimchi
Enjoy your cucumber kimchi within a few days for a fresh taste. For a fermented flavor, leave it at room temperature for a day, then refrigerate. It will slowly ferment in the fridge, staying crisp while the flavor deepens. Consume within a month, as this kimchi is not meant for long-term storage.