Japanese Cucumber Seaweed Salad

Light, refreshing, and packed with umami, this Japanese Cucumber Seaweed Salad is a simple yet elegant side dish perfect for any meal. Featuring crisp English cucumbers and rehydrated wakame seaweed, this salad delivers a delightful balance of crunchy and silky textures. The tangy rice vinegar dressing, enriched with soy sauce, a touch of sugar, and aromatic sesame oil, ties the ingredients together beautifully. Finished with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds, this salad is as nutritious as it is flavorful. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s an excellent choice for a quick, healthy, and authentic Japanese side dish. Serve it chilled to enhance its refreshing qualities, making it an ideal complement to sushi, grilled fish, or miso soup.

Nutriscore Rating: 77/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:0 mins

Total Time:20 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 0.5 cups dried wakame seaweed
• 2 whole English cucumbers
• 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
• 0.5 teaspoon salt

Directions

Step 1

Place the dried wakame seaweed in a bowl and cover with cold water. Let it soak for about 5-10 minutes until it rehydrates and expands. Drain the seaweed and squeeze out excess water. Set aside.

Step 2

While the seaweed is soaking, wash the cucumbers thoroughly. Slice them into thin rounds, about 1/8-inch thick. If desired, you can also halve the rounds for more bite-sized pieces.

Step 3

Place the cucumber slices in a bowl and sprinkle with 0.5 teaspoons of salt. Mix well and let sit for about 5 minutes to draw out excess moisture. Afterward, rinse the cucumbers under cold water and pat dry with a paper towel.

Step 4

In a small mixing bowl, combine the rice vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, and sesame oil. Stir until the sugar is fully dissolved to form the dressing.

Step 5

In a large salad bowl, combine the rehydrated wakame, cucumber slices, and the dressing. Toss everything well to ensure the ingredients are evenly coated in the dressing.

Step 6

Sprinkle the toasted sesame seeds over the salad and give it a final toss.

Step 7

Transfer the salad to a serving dish or bowl. Serve chilled or at room temperature as a refreshing side dish to any Japanese meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1022.1 grams (1022.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	399

Total Fat 20.30g	26%
Saturated Fat 2.70g	14%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.90g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2860mg	124%
Total Carbohydrate 55.60g	20%
Dietary Fiber 11.10g	40%
Total Sugars 27.20g
Protein 12.80g	26%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 387mg	30%
Iron 6mg	32%
Potassium 1892mg	40%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 40.0%

Protein: 11.2%

Carbs: 48.7%