Korean Oi Muchim vs. The Viral TikTok Jar Salad

Cucumbers are the ultimate canvas for a quick, refreshing, and flavorful dish. Whether you’re craving the bold, spicy, and umami-packed flavors of a classic Korean banchan or the simple, herby, and tangy freshness of a social media sensation, we’ve got you covered. Today, we’re putting two incredible cucumber salads head-to-head: a traditional Korean Cucumber Salad (Oi Muchim) and the viral TikTok Cucumber Salad In A Jar.

Both are incredibly easy, require no cooking, and come together in minutes. But which one will be your new go-to? Let’s dive in.

Option 1: Korean Cucumber Salad (Oi Muchim)

This recipe is the real deal. It’s a staple in Korean cuisine for a reason. The magic lies in the salting technique, which draws out excess water from the cucumbers to keep them shatteringly crunchy. They’re then tossed in a vibrant, spicy, and slightly sweet gochugaru-based sauce. It’s the perfect balance of flavors and the ideal companion for rich, grilled meats or as a standalone zesty snack.

Why you’ll love it: It’s authentic, perfectly balanced, and has that signature Korean spicy-savory kick.

Korean Cucumber Salad (Oi Muchim)

This quick & easy Korean Cucumber Salad (Oi Muchim) comes together in 10 minutes with only a few ingredients. It’s slightly sweet, spicy, & tangy! The perfect balance of flavors makes this the best oi muchim recipe—ideal for cutting through fatty meats or enjoying as a refreshing side dish.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Rest Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Servings: 4
• Calories: 102 kcal per serving

Ingredients

• For the Salad:
  • 1 lb Persian cucumbers (about 5 or 6, or substitute English, Korean, Kirby, or Japanese cucumbers)
  • 2 tsp coarse salt (reduce to 1 tsp if using table salt)
• Spicy Seasoning Sauce:
  • 2 tbsp gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes)
  • 2 tbsp sugar (can reduce to taste)
  • 2 tbsp plum vinegar (or rice vinegar as substitute)
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil (toasted recommended)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tsp sesame seeds
• Optional Add-Ins:
  • 2 oz carrot, julienned
  • 1/4 onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 serrano pepper, finely minced

Instructions

1. Prepare the cucumbers: Rinse and cut the cucumbers (and optional veggies if using). The shape and thickness can vary based on your preference—thin slices, half-moons, or batons all work.
2. Salt and rest: Add coarse salt and toss to coat evenly. Let sit for 10 minutes if sliced thinly, or 15 minutes if sliced thick.
   • *Note: If using table salt, reduce to 1 tsp to avoid over-salting.*
3. Drain excess water: After 10-15 minutes, a pool of water will have drawn out from the cucumbers. Pour it out and gently squeeze the cucumbers to remove as much excess water as possible.
   • Note: This step is crucial for maintaining crunch and preventing a watery salad.
4. Make the seasoning sauce: In a bowl, combine gochugaru, sugar, plum vinegar (or rice vinegar), sesame oil, minced garlic, and sesame seeds. Stir well to dissolve the sugar.
   • Note: You can reduce sugar to taste, but the original amount creates the signature balanced flavor.
5. Combine and serve: Add the drained cucumbers to the seasoning sauce and toss until evenly coated. Serve immediately or chill in the fridge.
   • Note: For best flavor, let rest 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: 102kcal | Total Fat: 5g | Sodium: 1180mg | Total Carbohydrates: 15g | Dietary Fiber: 3g | Sugars: 9g | Protein: 2g

Notes & Tips

• Use Fresh, Crunchy Cucumbers: Persian or Korean cucumbers are ideal due to their thin skin, small seeds, and superior crunch.
• Let It Rest: Allowing the salad to rest in the fridge for 30 minutes before serving lets flavors meld and enhances the overall taste.
• Personalize It: Feel free to add the optional carrots, onions, or serrano pepper for extra texture or heat.
• Storage Tip: For meal prep, store cucumbers and sauce separately to maintain maximum crunch for up to 1 week.

Option 2: Viral TikTok Cucumber Salad In A Jar (Logan’s recipe)

Sometimes you just need to eat an entire cucumber. This is my take on the viral recipe from TikTok creator Logan (the cucumber guy). The concept is brilliantly simple: slice a cucumber directly into a jar, toss in a handful of flavorful ingredients, put the lid on, and shake. It’s the ultimate “leftover makeover” recipe and a creative, fun way to add more veggies to your diet. The best part? You store and serve it right from the same jar!

Why you’ll love it: It’s endlessly customizable, requires almost no effort, and minimal cleanup.

Viral TikTok Cucumber Salad In A Jar

This is my take on the viral cucumber salad recipe that is very simple to make and keep. It is easily customizable and pairs as a salad/side dish for any meal.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Total Time: 5 minutes
• Servings: 2 people

Equipment

• Large jar with a tight-fitting lid
• Mandolin slicer (or a sharp knife)

Ingredients

• 1 large English cucumber
• 3 tbsp feta cheese, crumbled
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1/2 tsp cumin powder
• 1/4 cup fresh herbs (such as dill and mint), roughly torn
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Place the mandolin or slicer over the opening of the large jar.
2. Carefully slice the cucumber directly into the jar. (Watch your fingers!)
3. Add the crumbled feta cheese, lemon juice, cumin powder, fresh herbs, minced garlic, olive oil, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
4. Screw the lid on tightly and shake, shake, shake until everything is well combined.
5. Open the jar and enjoy immediately, or transfer to a bowl. Store any leftovers directly in the jar in the fridge.

Serving & Storing

Serve this salad on its own as a snack, or as a vibrant side dish with grilled chicken, fish, or steak. It’s also fantastic in a wrap or sandwich. The beauty of this recipe is that leftovers are stored in the same jar!

So, Which One Will You Make?

Both of these cucumber salads are winners in their own right.

• Choose the Korean Oi Muchim if you’re in the mood for a flavor-packed, authentic banchan with a spicy kick that’s perfect for pairing with Asian-inspired meals.
• Choose the Viral TikTok Jar Salad if you want a super-quick, no-fuss, and endlessly adaptable salad that feels fun to make and even easier to clean up.

Whichever you pick, you’re minutes away from a delicious and refreshing cucumber dish. If you try either recipe out, don’t forget to share it with me so I can see how it turned out! I’d love nothing more than to chat with you on your cooking adventures.

Print Recipe

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Korean Oi Muchim vs. The Viral TikTok Jar Salad

Author: Sarah Onida Cooking Method: No Cook Cuisine: American Courses: Salad

Difficulty: easy Prep Time 5 mins Total Time 5 mins

Servings: 2 Estimated Cost: $ 4 Calories: 157

Best Season: Summer, Spring

Description

This refreshing viral TikTok cucumber salad is the ultimate easy, customizable side dish that comes together in minutes. Simply slice a cucumber into a jar, add your favorite Mediterranean-inspired ingredients like feta, lemon, fresh herbs, and olive oil, then shake and enjoy! Perfect for meal prep, picnics, or a quick healthy snack, this no-cook salad is crisp, tangy, and endlessly adaptable to your taste.

ingredients

Scale

1/2x 1x 2x 3x

• 1 large English cucumber (or 2-3 small cucumbers)
• 3 tbsp feta cheese (crumbled)
• 1 lemon (juiced)
• ¹⁄₂ tsp cumin powder
• ¹⁄₄ cup fresh herbs (dill and mint, torn)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 tbsp olive oil (extra virgin)
• salt and black pepper (to taste)

Instructions

1. Place a mandolin or vegetable slicer over a large jar with a fitted lid.
   Use caution when slicing to avoid injury.
2. Slice the cucumber directly into the jar using the mandolin or slicer.
   Alternatively, thinly slice with a knife if no slicer is available.
3. Add the crumbled feta cheese, fresh lemon juice, cumin powder, torn fresh herbs (dill and mint), minced garlic, and olive oil to the jar.
4. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
5. Secure the lid tightly on the jar and shake vigorously for 30-60 seconds until all ingredients are well combined and the cucumber is lightly dressed.
6. Open the jar and enjoy the salad directly from the jar, or transfer to a bowl for serving.
7. Store any leftovers in the same jar with the lid sealed in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
   The flavors will continue to meld and develop over time.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 2

Serving Size 1 jar (approximately 1.5 cups)

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Amount Per Serving

Calories 157kcal

% Daily Value *

Total Fat 12.3gg19%

Saturated Fat 4.1gg21%

Trans Fat 0gg

Cholesterol 15mgmg5%

Sodium 320mgmg14%

Potassium 285mgmg9%

Total Carbohydrate 9.2gg4%

Dietary Fiber 1.8gg8%

Sugars 3.1gg

Protein 4.2gg9%

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Calcium 95mg mg

Iron 0.7mg mg

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

• Customize it: Add cherry tomatoes, red onion, kalamata olives, or chickpeas for extra flavor and substance.
• Make it vegan: Swap feta for dairy-free feta or omit cheese and add avocado for creaminess.
• Spice it up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the jar before shaking.
• Meal prep friendly: This salad keeps well for 2-3 days in the fridge; the cucumber stays crisp thanks to the acid from the lemon.
• Serving ideas: Enjoy as a side with grilled chicken, fish, or steak, or add to wraps, grain bowls, or sandwiches.

Keywords: cucumber salad, TikTok recipe, viral salad, jar salad, Logan cucumber guy, healthy side dish, Greek salad, no-cook recipe, meal prep salad