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Sunomono Salad Recipe (Japanese Cucumber Salad)
5 from 141 votes

Sunomono Salad Recipe (Japanese Cucumber Salad)

Sunomono Salad is a Japanese cucumber salad made with thinly sliced crunchy Japanese or Persian cucumbers that are salted to draw out moisture, rinsed, and then mixed with a light, sweet-sour dressing containing rice vinegar, sugar, salt, and soy sauce. It is marinated for at least an hour before serving and finished with a sprinkle of sesame seeds for texture and flavor.

Prep Time
5 mins
Additional Time
10 mins
Total Time
15 mins
Servings: 2
Calories: 42 kcal
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Japanese

Ingredients

  • 3 Japanese cucumber or Persian cucumber, crunchy
  • 2 tsp salt to draw out moisture
Dressing
  • 2.25 .25 tbsp rice vinegar
  • .75 .75 tbsp sugar
  • .2 .2 tsp salt
  • .2 .2 tsp soy sauce
  • 0.75 .75 tsp sesame seeds

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Slice the 3 crunchy Japanese or Persian cucumbers very thinly (ideally with a mandolin slicer for uniformity) and transfer to a medium sized bowl.
  2. Sprinkle with 2 tsp salt and toss with your hands to ensure even salt coverage to draw out moisture. Let it sit for 10 minutes.
  3. Rinse the cucumbers thoroughly to remove the salt, then drain.
  4. Squeeze all the cucumbers to remove excess moisture. The goal is to remove as much water as you can. Don't be afraid to squeeze hard, the cucumbers can take it!
  5. Mix dressing ingredients: 2.25 tbsp rice vinegar, .75 tbsp sugar, .2 tsp salt, .2 tsp soy sauce until dissolved.
  6. Then add to cucumbers to marinate for at least 1 hour. It keeps well overnight too. Keep refrigerated until serving.
  7. Sprinkle with 0.75 tsp sesame seeds just before serving.

Notes

  • Use a mandolin slicer for very thin, even cucumber slices to achieve the best texture.
  • Salt the cucumbers thoroughly and then rinse well to ensure the salad is not overly salty.
  • Press or squeeze the cucumbers firmly to remove excess moisture and maintain crunch.
  • Marinate the salad refrigerated for at least 1 hour; it can be kept overnight to enhance flavor.
  • Adjust the seasoning if necessary before serving, using the reduced dressing proportions as a guide.

Nutrition Information

Serving 0g Calories 42kcal (2%) Carbohydrates 8g (3%) Protein 1g (2%) Fat 1g (2%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Sodium 334mg (14%) Potassium 82mg (2%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 7g (14%) Vitamin A 59IU (1%) Vitamin C 2mg (2%) Calcium 19mg (2%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 2 Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 42

% Daily Value*

Serving 0g
Calories 42kcal 2%
Carbohydrates 8g 3%
Protein 1g 2%
Fat 1g 2%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Sodium 334mg 14%
Potassium 82mg 2%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 7g 14%
Vitamin A 59IU 1%
Vitamin C 2mg 2%
Calcium 19mg 2%
Iron 1mg 6%

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