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 min
- Cook time
- 8 min
- Yield
- 2 servings
- Difficulty
- HARD
Ingredients
- 1 large cucumber ()
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3 clove garlic, minced
- 1 stalk scallions, finely chopped
- 3 bird’s eye chillies, finely chopped (or other types of chillies)
- 1 tbsp black rice vinegar
- 1 tsp light soy sauce
- 1/2 tsp sugar
- 1 tbsp cooking oil
- 1 large cucumber ()
- 4 radish, thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp black rice vinegar
- 2 tsp light soy sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp minced ginger
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 drop honey
- toasted sesame seeds
- coriander (optional)
- 8 mini cucumbers
- 2 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1/4 tsp ground Sichuan pepper
- 1 tsp chilli powder/chilli flakes
- toasted sesame seeds
- 1 tbsp cooking oil
Instructions
- 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.
- 7
Slice the cucumber lengthways with a vegetable peeler. Stop when the seedy part appears.
- 8
Turn 90 degrees and continue slicing. Repeat to slice all sides.
- 9
Put into a salad bowl (exclude the seedy part). Add radish slices.
- 10
Mix all the other ingredients in a small bowl.
- 11
Right before serving, pour the dressing over. Toss with chopsticks.
- 12
For the cutting technique, please refer to the tutorial video below.
- 13
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.
- 14
Turn over to the other side. Slice at right angles to the same depth throughout.
- 15
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.
- 16
Put ground Sichuan pepper, chilli powder & toasted sesame seed on top of the cucumbers.
- 17
Pour hot oil over the spices. Toss gently then serve (See note 2).