Chinese Smashed Cucumber Salad (拍黄瓜)
This easy Chinese smashed cucumber salad (拍黄瓜) is a dim sum classic that takes less than 10 minutes to make and is great as a refreshing side for the everyday meal. It's savory, tangy, and with the addition of our homemade Chinese chili oil, it's so aromatic! Pair this cucumber salad with other dim sum favorites like siu mai and salt and pepper tofu for an at-home dim sum meal.
- Prep time
- 7 min
- Cook time
- No separate cook time
- Yield
- 4 servings
- Difficulty
- MEDIUM
Ingredients
Quantities are shown as originally provided.
- 1 pound Persian cucumbers (washed)
- ½ teaspoon Kosher salt ((if using fine salt, use a little less))
- 1 clove garlic (minced or paste)
- 1 tablespoon Chinese black vinegar
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce ((we used light sodium))
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon Chinese chili oil (more or less depending on your preference)
- 2 tablespoons cilantro (chopped (about 3 to 4 sprigs; optional but highly recommended))
Instructions
- 1
Cut the ends off of each cucumber and smash them, one at a time, with the flat side of your knife. Smash them until the cucumbers crack. They don't have to be totally broken apart. *Do use a knife with a thick blade, like a cleaver or chef's knife.*
- 2
Cut the smashed cucumbers diagonally, into bite size pieces. Then, place them in a bowl. Sprinkle the salt over the cucumbers and give them a couple mixes. Let the cucumbers salt for about 5 minutes, then drain the cucumber juice. You don't have to rinse the cucumbers.
- 3
Add the remaining ingredients to the cucumbers (garlic, black vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, chili oil, and cilantro). Give everything a good mix and serve immediately.