Chinese Spicy Smashed Cucumber (Print View)

Crisp cucumbers smashed and coated in a spicy, garlicky soy dressing with sesame and chili flakes.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 large English cucumbers, ends trimmed (approximately 17.6 oz)
02 - 2 scallions, thinly sliced

→ Dressing

03 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce
04 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
05 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
06 - 1 to 2 teaspoons chili flakes, adjusted to taste
07 - 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
08 - 1 teaspoon sugar
09 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ Garnish

10 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
11 - Fresh cilantro leaves, optional

# Method:

01 - Place cucumbers on a cutting board and gently smash with the flat side of a knife until cracked. Tear or cut into bite-sized chunks.
02 - Transfer smashed cucumbers to a colander, sprinkle with salt, and let rest for 10 minutes to draw out moisture. Drain and pat dry with paper towels.
03 - Whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, chili flakes, minced garlic, and sugar in a large bowl until sugar dissolves.
04 - Add drained cucumbers and sliced scallions to the dressing. Toss thoroughly to coat evenly.
05 - Transfer salad to a serving dish. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and fresh cilantro if using. Serve immediately or chill for 10 to 15 minutes to enhance flavors.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The texture is incredible because those rough jagged edges hold onto dressing like tiny flavor cups
  • It comes together in under 15 minutes but tastes like something that rested for hours
  • You can adjust everything from heat to sweetness to make it yours
02 -
  • Skip the salting step and your salad will turn into a puddle within minutes
  • Smashing instead of slicing is what makes this texture so unforgettable
  • Letting it chill for even 10 minutes transforms it from good to cant stop eating it
03 -
  • Use English or Persian cucumbers because regular cucumbers have too many seeds and thick bitter skin
  • Smash right before serving if you want maximum crunch or up to an hour before if you prefer the flavors to meld more
  • The salad keeps well for a day but the cucumbers will soften so eat it sooner rather than later
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