(W Table)
(W Table)

When the scorching summer heat dulls the appetite, this chilled cucumber soup steps in to save the day.

Oi naengguk is Korea‘s answer to the heat -- thinly sliced matchsticks of cucumber float in a sweet-sour brine, creating an instant refresher that requires little preparation.

The dish balances crisp textures with soft. Strips of slick seaweed add a pleasant chew, while optional additions like julienned carrots and onions bring the extra crunch. The vinegar-based soup hits all the right notes: sweet, sour, and just salty enough to make you reach for another spoonful.

Best of all? This no-cook solution takes just five minutes to prepare. On those summer days when turning on the stove feels like a crime, let this cooling soup bring your appetite back to life.

(Oi naengguk, cucumber cold soup, Korean-style chilled cucumber soup, refreshing cucumber broth, savory oi naengguk dish)