Chinese Spicy Smashed Cucumber (Printable)

Refreshing smashed cucumbers in a zesty garlicky soy dressing with chili flakes and sesame oil.

# Ingredient List:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 large English cucumbers (approximately 1.1 lb), 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 - 1–2 teaspoons chili flakes (adjust 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)

# How-To Steps:

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

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in 15 minutes with zero cooking, making it perfect for those days when you need something fresh but don't want to stand over a stove.
  • The balance of salty, tangy, and spicy creates a flavor explosion that wakes up your whole palate and makes everything else taste better.
  • Smashing the cucumbers instead of slicing them creates this unexpected texture that feels rustic and intentional, not just another vegetable side dish.
02 -
  • The 10-minute salting step isn't optional—skipping it leaves you with a watery mess that tastes diluted, and that's the difference between a bright, crisp salad and disappointment.
  • Whisk the dressing before adding the cucumbers so the sugar actually dissolves; if you skip this, you'll bite into a grittiness that throws off the whole experience.
03 -
  • If you want the dressing to cling even more to the cucumbers, toss them while they're still slightly damp after draining—this helps the coating stay put instead of sliding off.
  • Chili oil drizzled on top at the last second adds a luxurious richness that regular chili flakes can't match, and it's worth keeping a bottle of good chili oil in your pantry.
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