[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]
There may be nothing better for beating the heat than this icy, savory cucumber soup. Thin strips of fresh cucumber infuse the water with a cooling, refreshing flavor, while soy sauce and vinegar add bright, savory, and salty notes. Once those are mixed together, a generous addition of ice cubes keeps the soup perfectly chilled with every bite.
If you want, you can add a small amount of rehydrated and blanched miyeok (wakame) seaweed to the bowl as well, or even very thinly sliced onion and julienned carrot. While it’s not traditional, a little julienned apple is a nice touch, too; in that case, just be sure to serve the soup right away, before the apple can brown.
Why It Works
- Korean and English cucumbers have a thinner skin and higher ratio of flesh to seeds, which works well for the matchstick-thin strips needed here.
- Traditional Korean Joseon 100% soy sauce adds a salty, savory flavor, without the sweetness of soy-and-wheat-based yangjo soy sauce.
Ingredients
- One 1-pound (500g) cucumber, preferably Korean or English (about 8 to 10 inches/20 to 25cm long; see note)
- 4 medium cloves garlic, finely minced
- 2 1/4 cups (500ml) cold water
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) Joseon ganjang (Korean soup soy sauce; see note)
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) Korean yangjo vinegar (brown rice vinegar; see note)
- Kosher salt
- 18 ounces ice cubes (500g; the equivalent of 2 1/4 cups/500ml water frozen into cubes)
- 1 teaspoon roasted sesame seeds
Directions
- 1.
Cut cucumber into roughly 4-inch (10cm) lengths. Using a knife or mandoline, julienne the cucumber as finely as you can.
- 2.
In a large mixing bowl, combine cucumber with garlic, water, soy sauce, and vinegar, stirring to distribute ingredients. Season with salt. Transfer to refrigerator if not serving right away.
- 3.
When ready to serve, add ice cubes and season once more with salt, if needed. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top. Ladle into individual bowls, along with the ice cubes, and serve.
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