The Best Chinese Cucumber Salad is Smashed (拍黄瓜)

15 mins
Serves 1
youtube.com

Directions

  1. 1Smash the cucumbers with a Cleaver, rolling pin, meat tenderizer, or your fist until they start to split along the length.
  2. 2Smash the cucumbers with a Cleaver, rolling pin, meat tenderizer, or your fist until they start to split along the length.
  3. 3Smash the cucumbers with a Cleaver, rolling pin, meat tenderizer, or your fist until they start to split along the length.
  4. 4Cut the smashed cucumber diagonally into 2-inch long pieces.
  5. 5Cut the smashed cucumber diagonally into 2-inch long pieces.
  6. 6Cut the smashed cucumber diagonally into 2-inch long pieces.
  7. 7Season the cucumber with 3/4 teaspoon of salt.
  8. 8Season the cucumber with 3/4 teaspoon of salt.
  9. 9Season the cucumber with 3/4 teaspoon of salt.
  10. 10Toss the cucumber thoroughly with salt and set aside for 15 minutes.
  11. 11Toss the cucumber thoroughly with salt and set aside for 15 minutes.
  12. 12Toss the cucumber thoroughly with salt and set aside for 15 minutes.
  13. 13Grate two cloves of garlic finely.
  14. 14Grate two cloves of garlic finely.
  15. 15Grate two cloves of garlic finely.
  16. 16Dice a little bit of cilantro.
  17. 17Dice a little bit of cilantro.
  18. 18Dice a little bit of cilantro.
  19. 19Prepare some diced Thai birdeye chilies (optional).
  20. 20Prepare some diced Thai birdeye chilies (optional).
  21. 21Prepare some diced Thai birdeye chilies (optional).
  22. 22Add 1 tbsp of soy sauce to the dressing.
  23. 23Add 1 tbsp of soy sauce to the dressing.
  24. 24Add 1 tbsp of soy sauce to the dressing.
  25. 25Add 1 tbsp of hot chili oil to the dressing (optional).
  26. 26Add 1 tbsp of hot chili oil to the dressing (optional).
  27. 27Add 1 tbsp of hot chili oil to the dressing (optional).
  28. 28Add 1 tbsp of vinegar (Chinese black vinegar or apple cider vinegar) to the dressing.
  29. 29Add 1 tbsp of vinegar (Chinese black vinegar or apple cider vinegar) to the dressing.
  30. 30Add 1 tbsp of vinegar (Chinese black vinegar or apple cider vinegar) to the dressing.
  31. 31Add 1/2 teaspoon of sugar to the dressing.
  32. 32Add 1/2 teaspoon of sugar to the dressing.
  33. 33Add 1/2 teaspoon of sugar to the dressing.
  34. 34Add 1 teaspoon of sesame oil to the dressing.
  35. 35Add 1 teaspoon of sesame oil to the dressing.
  36. 36Add 1 teaspoon of sesame oil to the dressing.
  37. 37Lightly squeeze the salted cucumber to discard excess liquid.
  38. 38Lightly squeeze the salted cucumber to discard excess liquid.
  39. 39Lightly squeeze the salted cucumber to discard excess liquid.
  40. 40Mix the cucumber with the prepared dressing and toss thoroughly.
  41. 41Mix the cucumber with the prepared dressing and toss thoroughly.
  42. 42Mix the cucumber with the prepared dressing and toss thoroughly.

Ingredients

  • mini or long skinny cucumber
  • mini or long skinny cucumber
  • mini or long skinny cucumber
  • 0.75 tsp salt
  • 0.75 tsp salt
  • 0.75 tsp salt
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • cilantro
  • cilantro
  • cilantro
  • diced Thai birdeye chilies
  • diced Thai birdeye chilies
  • diced Thai birdeye chilies
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp hot chili oil
  • 1 tbsp hot chili oil
  • 1 tbsp hot chili oil
  • 1 tbsp vinegar
  • 1 tbsp vinegar
  • 1 tbsp vinegar
  • 0.5 tsp sugar
  • 0.5 tsp sugar
  • 0.5 tsp sugar
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 tsp sesame oil

Equipment

Cleaverrolling pinmeat tenderizerknife set

Tips

  • Smashing cucumbers creates lots of bruises which allows the seasoning to infuse into the cucumber.
  • If using a fatter kind of cucumber, remove the seeds first.
  • Do not use too much raw garlic, two cloves are plenty, otherwise it will overpower the fresh taste of the cucumber.
  • If you don't eat spicy food, you can skip the chilies and chili oil.
  • You can use apple cider vinegar as a substitute for Chinese black vinegar.
  • Lightly squeeze and discard the excess liquid from the cucumbers after salting to prevent diluting the seasoning.
  • To prepare ahead of time, keep the cucumber and dressing separate in the fridge and mix right before serving.