Enjoy the tangy crunch of pickled cucumber kimchi, perfect for warming up on chilly days.

If you're tired of the usual cabbage kimchi, why not switch to making pickled cucumber kimchi? It's got the tangy spiciness of kimchi with a crisp, delicious crunch. Give this a try!

Every time I go for Korean barbecue at Sariwon, the dish that always catches my attention the most is the panchan (the assorted pickled vegetables). It's only after several visits to Sariwon that I've realized why Koreans favor these panchan so much. Without them, the barbecue feast seems to lose half of its Korean flavor.

During the barbecue buffet at Sariwon, I was impressed by the variety of sauces and panchan available.

At Sariwon, aside from the plethora of marinades and dipping sauces (there must be over ten different kinds, the most I've ever seen at any Korean barbecue spot in Hanoi), there's also a wide variety of panchan that change daily to accompany the grilled items. The most familiar ones are the vibrant red cabbage kimchi soaked in rich chili sauce, delivering a fiery kick and a tangy zing that tantalizes the taste buds, making each bite of sizzling meat even more delightful. For something more unusual, there's purple pickled cabbage, pleasantly sour with a crisp texture, or golden radish kimchi, offering a unique crunch and flavor.

The grilled dishes are marinated in unique blends, served with an array of exotic pickled vegetables.

Sariwon's panchan, with their salty, tangy, and spicy flavors, are a perfect complement to the meal, earning me the title of 'kimchi warrior' from my friends, with a track record of continuously asking for more! While kimchi might seem daunting to make, I'm confident many of you ladies have tried your hand at making this dish to enjoy with rice, meat, instant noodles... at home numerous times. However, most of us tend to stick with making cabbage kimchi.

Today, I'll introduce you to a delicious and exotic pickled cucumber kimchi recipe I learned from Sariwon. It combines the warm, spicy tang of traditional kimchi with a crisp texture that's simply irresistible. One bite, and you'll be hooked!

You can pickle the cucumber kimchi to be spicy or mild according to your preference.

Prepare ingredients for 20 medium-sized cucumbers

+ 1 cup salt, 1 cup scallions, 1 cup chili powder, 2 cups coriander leaves, 2 tablespoons minced garlic, 2 tablespoons minced ginger, 10 cups water, carrots (optional)

+ 6 tablespoons fish sauce, 6 tablespoons sugar

First, thoroughly wash the cucumbers, preferably choosing ones that are not too plump to ensure they stay crunchy. Remove the stems, then cut them into equally sized pieces (about the width of your index finger). Use a knife to make two vertical cuts on each cucumber, forming a cross shape (+). Remember to leave about a 1 – 1.5 cm portion intact at one end, don't cut all the way through!

Put a large bowl of salt in boiling water, about 10 bowls, then add the cucumbers to this boiling water and let them soak for about 50 minutes. Afterward, take the cucumbers out and rinse them with cold water once, then let them drain.

The soaking stage helps the cucumbers stay crisp while quickly absorbing flavors.

Mix finely chopped coriander leaves, spring onions, and optionally thinly sliced carrots with a mixture of 1 cup chili powder + 6 tablespoons fish sauce + 2 tablespoons sugar + 6 tablespoons water + 2 tablespoons minced ginger + 2 tablespoons minced garlic. Mix thoroughly until evenly combined.

Gently stuff the mixture into the slits of the previously cut cucumbers, being careful not to break or separate the cucumber pieces. Once stuffed, evenly coat the outside of the cucumbers with the mixture, place them in a container, leave them outside overnight, then you can refrigerate them for gradual consumption. You can enjoy them immediately or let them soak for 1 – 2 days for enhanced flavor. If you can't handle the heat, feel free to reduce the amount of chili powder in the mixture!

Whether you like it spicy or mild, adjust according to your taste!

In addition to the marinades, dips, and panchan, Sariwon offers a variety of other dishes to enhance the buffet experience such as fried dumplings, french fries, sushi rolls,... Whenever you have the chance, try them all at once and see how you like them!

>>> Get up to 35% off at Sariwon this season! Claim your offer now!