Japanese Style Cucumber Salad

Bright, refreshing, and bursting with savory-sweet tang, this Japanese Style Cucumber Salad is the perfect side dish or light appetizer for any meal. Featuring crisp Japanese or English cucumbers, this recipe uses a simple yet flavorful combination of rice vinegar, soy sauce, and sesame oil to create a delicate balance of umami and acidity. The cucumbers are lightly salted to draw out moisture, ensuring a pleasantly crisp texture, while a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds and optional red pepper flakes adds the perfect finishing touch. Ready in just 15 minutes, this quick and easy salad is not only delicious but also a healthy addition to your table. Serve it chilled for a cooling accompaniment to sushi, grilled meats, or your favorite Japanese-inspired dishes.

Nutriscore Rating: 55/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:5 mins

Total Time:20 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 Japanese cucumber (or English cucumber)
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 3 tablespoons Rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon Sugar
• 1 teaspoon Sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon Toasted sesame seeds
• 0.5 teaspoon Optional: Red pepper flakes

Directions

Step 1

Wash the cucumbers thoroughly and pat them dry.

Step 2

Slice the cucumbers thinly using a knife or mandoline slicer for even and delicate slices.

Step 3

Place the sliced cucumbers in a bowl, sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of salt, and toss gently. Let them sit for 10 minutes to draw out excess water.

Step 4

Rinse the cucumbers under cold water to remove excess salt. Drain them well and pat them dry with a paper towel.

Step 5

In a separate small bowl, combine rice vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, and optional red pepper flakes. Stir until the sugar dissolves.

Step 6

Toss the cucumbers with the dressing, coating them evenly.

Step 7

Transfer the salad to a serving dish and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds for garnish.

Step 8

Serve immediately, or chill in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes before serving to enhance the flavor.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	295.9 grams (295.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	228

Total Fat 15.50g	20%
Saturated Fat 2.20g	11%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.90g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2941mg	128%
Total Carbohydrate 21.50g	8%
Dietary Fiber 1.50g	5%
Total Sugars 16.10g
Protein 3.30g	7%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 60mg	5%
Iron 1mg	7%
Potassium 369mg	8%

*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: 58.4%

Protein: 5.5%

Carbs: 36.0%