Chinese Spicy Smashed Cucumber (Print)

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

# Ingredients:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 large English cucumbers (approximately 17.6 ounces), ends trimmed
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)

# Directions:

01 - Gently smash the cucumbers using the flat side of a chef’s knife until they crack, then tear or cut into bite-sized chunks.
02 - Place smashed cucumber pieces in a colander, sprinkle with salt, and let sit for 10 minutes to extract water. Drain thoroughly 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 the drained cucumbers and sliced scallions to the dressing; toss to coat evenly.
05 - Transfer to a serving platter; sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and optional cilantro leaves. Serve immediately or chill 10 to 15 minutes to enhance flavor.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It's ready in fifteen minutes but tastes like you've been cooking all day.
  • The smashing technique gives cucumbers an unexpected texture that regular slicing can never achieve.
  • It's naturally vegan, refreshingly light, and bold enough to steal the show beside heavier mains.
  • One batch disappears faster than you'd expect, every single time.
02 -
  • The salt-and-drain step isn't optional busywork; it's the difference between a crisp salad and one that turns into a sad puddle of liquid by dinner's end.
  • Don't mince the garlic more than a few minutes before serving, or it becomes aggressively harsh and loses all its nuance.
  • Toasted sesame oil tastes completely different from regular sesame oil, and the difference matters more than you'd think.
03 -
  • If you forget to drain the cucumbers, squeeze them gently in a clean kitchen towel instead—you'll get similar results without the waiting.
  • Mince your garlic right before mixing the dressing so it stays fresh and pungent rather than turning bitter or mellow.
  • Taste the dressing on its own before adding the cucumbers so you can adjust the heat and salt to exactly what you want.
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