Last Updated on August 30, 2023
Asian Cucumber Salad is truly a summer’s delight. So simple, and so tasty! This is the kinda a basic salad nearly every Asian knows how to make.
Asian Cucumbers are tossed in a sweet, garlicky, and spicy dressing is a cool and refreshing complement to almost any meal.
This Chinese-style cucumber salad utilizes soy sauce, chili oil, and sesame oil to bring out lots of flavors effortlessly.
Asian cucumber salad
I learned this recipe when I was little, by watching my granny making it. My Granny is from Sichuan (Sichuan is a major province in southwest China, famous for extremely spicy food and giant pandas.)
She always put a lot of chili oil and birdseye red chilis in her salads. As a kid, I liked this salad so much, utterly because of its color, green yellowish, and red, so beautiful, isn’t it?
The key to making a great Chinese cucumber salad is all about the dressing.
The garlicky, spicy, savory, with just a touch of sweetness, and the cucumber is crunchy so every bite is bursting with flavors.
Asian Cucumber Salad recipes
Here’s what you need to make the Chinese Cucumber Salad. Right? Really simple from everyday ingredients.
- Cucumbers– For this salad, we prefer baby cucumbers (standard cucumbers or Lebanese cucumbers in Australia).)as the texture is crunchier and the seeds in the center part are smaller.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic is the best.
- Black Vinegar: Any Chinese black vinegar would do the trick. If you can find them, then substitute for Rice Wine Vinegar.
- Light Soy Sauce: Pick a good soy sauce to guarantee the best result.
- Maple Syrup: You can use Organic sugar, I found Maple syrup gives it more flavor.
- Sesame Oil: White sesame oil.
- Chili Oil: Pick one you like. Or you can check here to make your own: How to Make Chili Oil
How to make + Video
- Cucumbers are washed and dried, then slice the cucumbers on a sharp diagonal into bite-sized pieces.
- Add 1/2 tsp salt onto the cucumbers, then set aside for 20-30 minutes.
- The cucumbers should have released some water, which will gather at the bottom of the bowl. Pour out that water.
- Add freshly crushed garlic
- Then add the rest of the ingredients: chili oil, light soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, black vinegar, maple syrup, and red chilis(This is optional if you like mild).
- Toss all ingredients together and adjust flavors as necessary.
To serve, Chill the cucumber in the refrigerator for at least 1-2 hours for the best results. It allows the flavors to infuse.
This Chinese cucumber salad is a great starter, which helps to stimulate a healthy appetite.
Other side Dish ideas
- Vegan Seaweed Salad
- Korean Cucumber Salad (Mild)
- Stir-fried Water Spinach
- Five Spice Sweet Potatoes
- Picked Daikon
- Pad Pak
- Pan-fried Spiced Chickpeas
- Cold Tofu Noodle Salad
Asian Cucumber Salad
Ingredients
- Cucumbers 250g Note1
- Garlic 2 cloves approx. 12g
- Black Vinegar 1 Tbsp 15ml
- Chili Oil 1 Tbsp 15ml
- Maple Syrup 1/2 Tsp Note2 (2.5ml)
- Light Soy Sauce 1 Tbsp 15ml
- Sesame Oil 1 Tsp 5ml
- Salt 1/2Tsp
Instructions
- Cucumbers are washed and dry, then slice cucumbers on a sharp diagonal into bite-sized pieces.
- Add 1/2 tsp salt onto the cucumbers, then set aside for 20-30 minutes.
- The cucumbers should have released some water, which will gather at the bottom of the bowl. Pour out that water.
- Add freshly crushed garlic
- Then add the rest of the ingredients: chili oil, light soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, black vinegar, maple syrup, and red chilis(This is optional if you like mild).
- Toss all ingredients together and adjust flavors as necessary.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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