Chinese Smashed Cucumber Salad

This recipe for Chinese Smashed Cucumber salad features lightly smashed cucumbers marinated in a tangy and savory sauce.

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Why you'll love this recipe

This Chinese cucumber dish is very similar to Korean-style oi muchim, but is less spicy, and more tangy.

Easy to make: takes less than 20 minutes to put everything together.

Minimal ingredients: with a few pantry ingredients, you can whip up this delicious salad in a few minutes.

Delicious: let the flavors of the sauce permeate through the cucumbers, with minimal effort.

What's the difference between Korean cucumber salad and Chinese cucumber salad?

Korean oi muchim is punchier and spicier, with the addition of gochugaru (Korean red chili powder).

Chinese cucumber is lightly smashed, for better absorption of the marinade, and has a slightly more tangier flavor.

Ingredients you'll need

• English cucumber: or Persian cucumbers
• coarse sea salt: for salting the cucumbers to draw out excess moisture
• garlic cloves: minced
• soy sauce: regular soy sauce; use tamari if gluten-free
• rice vinegar: adds a tanginess to the dish; or Chinese chinkiang black vinegar
• granulated sugar: balances the flavor
• toasted sesame oil: for aroma and flavor

Garnish:

• chili oil: for some heat; omit if you don't like it too spicy
• toasted sesame seeds

How to make Chinese cucumber salad

Prepare the cucumber:

Wash and trim off the ends of the cucumber. 

Cut in half, and lightly smash the cut side with the blade of a cleaver or chef's knife, until it starts to split.

Cut the cucumber into bite-sized chunks.

Place the cucumber into a bowl and sprinkle with coarse sea salt. Massage the cucumber with the sea salt and let it sit for 15 minutes to draw out excess moisture.

After 15 minutes, drain the excess liquid from the cucumber and pat dry with paper towel.

Make the dressing:

In a bowl, combine soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, sesame oil, and chili oil, if using.

Mix well.

Assemble:

Add the dressing to the cucumber and toss until well coated. 

Let the cucumbers marinate in the fridge for 10-15 minutes.

Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve as a side dish. 

How to serve

Serve the Chinese cucumber salad cold as a refreshing side dish along with steamed rice, biang biang noodles, chilled fish, sliced beef shank, lamb dumplings, or jellyfish. 

How to store

Store the Chinese smashed cucumber salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 day.

Do not freeze.

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Print Recipe

Chinese Smashed Cucumber Salad

This recipe for Chinese Smashed Cucumber salad features lightly smashed cucumbers marinated in a tangy and savory sauce.

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time15 minutes mins

Total Time20 minutes mins

Course: Appetizer, Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine: Asian, Chinese

Servings: 4

Calories: 40kcal

Author: Michelle

For accuracy and precision in baking recipes, use weight (metric) measurements when available.

Ingredients

• 1 large English cucumber
• ½ teaspoon coarse sea salt
• 2 garlic cloves minced
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or Chinese chinkiang black vinegar
• ½ teaspoon granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon chili oil optional
• 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds

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Instructions

Prepare the cucumber:

• Wash and trim off the ends of the cucumber.
• Cut in half, and lightly smash the cut side with the blade of a cleaver or chef's knife, until it starts to split.
• Cut the cucumber into bite-sized chunks.
• Place the cucumber into a bowl and sprinkle with coarse sea salt. Massage the cucumber with the sea salt and let it sit for 15 minutes to draw out excess moisture.
• After 15 minutes, drain the excess liquid from the cucumber and pat dry with paper towel.

Make the dressing:

• In a bowl, combine soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, sesame oil, and chili oil, if using.
• Mix well.

Assemble:

• Add the dressing to the cucumber and toss until well coated.
• Let the cucumbers marinate in the fridge for 10-15 minutes.
• Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve as a side dish.

Nutrition

Calories: 40kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 0.3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 552mg | Potassium: 128mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 79IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 0.4mg

The nutritional information provided should be considered as approximate and is not guaranteed. Please use your best judgment to ensure food is safely prepared and/or a good fit for your diet.

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