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5.0 from 6 votes

Quick Japanese Pickled Cucumber with Ginger (Tsukemono)

Bring something special to the table with this well-loved recipe.

Prep Time
5 mins
Additional Time
1 hr
Total Time
1 hr 5 mins
Servings: 5 servings
Calories: 413 kcal
Course: Side Dish , Appetizer , Snacks
Cuisine: Japanese

Ingredients

  • 20 g ginger root approx 3cm, a little over 1 inch
  • 1 dried red chili pepper deseeded
  • 300 g Japanese or Persian cucumber or English cucumber
  • 1 tsp coarse salt
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tsp soy sauce
  • 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
  • 1 pinch white sesame seeds optional garnish

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. First, peel the skin off 20 g ginger root and cut it into thin strips (julienne). 
  2. Cut 1 dried red chili pepper into thin slices. 
  3. Wash 300 g Japanese or Persian cucumber and sprinkle a chopping board with 1 tsp coarse salt. Roll each cucumber in the salt.
  4. Wash off the salt and dry the cucumber. (If you're using English cucumber, cut it in half lengthways and scoop out the seeds with a spoon.)
  5. Smash the cucumber with something sturdy like a heavy glass cup or rolling pin. Crush/break it slightly, but not too much.
  6. Roughly cut the cucumber into bitesize pieces.
  7. Place the cucumber in a sealable bag with the ginger and chili, then add the 1 tsp sea salt, 2 tbsp sugar, 1 tsp rice vinegar, 1 tsp soy sauce and 1 tsp toasted sesame oil.
  8. Massage the ingredients into the cucumber to evenly distribute them.
  9. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least one hour. (For best results, overnight.)
  10. Sprinkle with 1 pinch white sesame seeds upon serving.
  11. Enjoy!

Notes

  • Best eaten within 3 days.
  • Omit the chili for a non-spicy version of the dish.
  • This recipe is best made with Japanese or Persian cucumbers that contain less water. If you're using English cucumbers, it's better to scoop out the seeds and discard before cutting.

Nutrition Information

Calories 41.3kcal (2%) Carbohydrates 5.9g (2%) Protein 0.8g (2%) Fat 1g (2%) Saturated Fat 0.1g (1%) Polyunsaturated Fat 0.4g Sodium 839.4mg (35%) Fiber 0.82g (3%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 5servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 413

% Daily Value*

Calories 41.3kcal 2%
Carbohydrates 5.9g 2%
Protein 0.8g 2%
Fat 1g 2%
Saturated Fat 0.1g 1%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.4g 2%
Sodium 839.4mg 35%
Fiber 0.82g 3%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.