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5.0 from 42 votes

Chinese cucumber salad, three ways (黄瓜三吃)  

A comprehensive guide on preparing cucumber salads the Chinese way. Three cutting methods are matched with three delicious dressings. A tutorial video is also included.

Prep Time
12 mins
Total Time
12 mins
Servings: 2 servings
Course: Salad
Cuisine: Chinese

Ingredients

Option 1: Smashed cucumber salad
  • 1 large cucumber about 400g/14oz
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 talk scallions, finely chopped
  • 3 bird’s eye chillies, finely chopped or other types of chillies
  • 1 tablespoon black rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon light soy sauce
  • ½ teaspoon sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cooking oil
Option 2: Sliced cucumber salad
  • 1 large cucumber about 400g/14oz
  • 4 radish, thinly sliced
  • 1 tablespoon black rice vinegar
  • 2 teaspoon light soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon minced ginger
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1 drop honey
  • toasted sesame seeds
  • Coriander optional
Option 3: Coir raincoat cucumber salad
  • 8 mini cucumbers
  • 2 tablespoon light soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon ground Sichuan pepper
  • 1 teaspoon chilli powder/chilli flakes
  • toasted sesame seeds
  • 1 tablespoon cooking oil

Instructions

For option 1: Smashed cucumber salad
    Cup of Yum
  1. Partially peel the skin of the cucumber.
  2. Use the side of a cleaver to smash the cucumber (Alternatively, you may use a rolling pin). Cut the smashed cucumber into bitesize pieces.
  3. Add the salt. Mix and leave to rest for 10 mins. Then discard the liquid extracted from the cucumber.
  4. Add scallions, garlic & fresh chillies. Heat up the oil then pour it over.
  5. Add soy sauce, black rice vinegar, sugar.
  6. Cover the bowl with a plate. Shake to mix for 10 seconds. Transfer to a serving bowl/plate.
For option 2: Sliced cucumber salad
  1. Slice the cucumber lengthways with a vegetable peeler. Stop when the seedy part appears.
  2. Turn 90 degrees and continue slicing. Repeat to slice all sides.
  3. Put into a salad bowl (exclude the seedy part). Add radish slices.
  4. Mix all the other ingredients in a small bowl.
  5. Right before serving, pour the dressing over. Toss with chopsticks.
For option 3: Coir raincoat cucumber salad
  1. For the cutting technique, please refer to the tutorial video below.
  2. Using the tip of the knife as a guide to depth. Thinly slice diagonally to a depth of approximately halfway through the cucumber from one end to the other. 
  3. Turn over to the other side. Slice at right angles to the same depth throughout.
  4. Mix soy sauce and sugar in a serving bowl/plate. Place cucumbers on top. Leave to rest for 10 mins (toss around halfway). Then discard all the liquid.
  5. Put ground Sichuan pepper, chilli powder & toasted sesame seed on top of the cucumbers.
  6. Pour hot oil over the spices. Toss gently then serve (See note 2).

Notes

  • Please feel free to mix & match the three cutting methods and the three dressing recipes. For example, use the mala dressing for smashed cucumber, etc.
  • A quick alternative for the mala dressing: I highly recommend that you make and store a jar of homemade Chinese chilli oil. Use it as a quick alternative (to replace ground Sichuan pepper, Chilli powder/chilli flakes, sesame seeds & oil).