Taiwanese Cucumber Salad

Ever since I started doing sushi making parties in college, I always counted on adding a couple fresh salads to the list. At this point, I can make this with my eyes closed. It’s simple, fresh, crunchy and a great way to get some more veggies on your plate.

Great thing about recipes like this is you can adjust the sauce to your liking. Sometimes I add chili oil, sometimes I run out of white pepper, sometimes I only have mirin and not rice vinegar! Most importantly, you want a balance of acid (black vinegar/rice vinegar/mirin/citrus), salt (soy sauce, salt), fat (sesame oil or chili oil), spice (chili oil, Szechuan peppercorns, peppers, garlic, white pepper), and sweetness (sugar, agave).

Ingredients (Serves 2-3)

• 2 Persian cucumbers (or 1 English cucumber)

• ½ tsp salt

• 1/2 tsp white pepper

• 1 tsp sugar

• 1 tbsp soy sauce

• 1 tbsp rice vinegar

• 1 tsp sesame oil

• ½ tsp toasted sesame seeds

• 1 scallion, finely chopped

• 1 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro (optional, for added freshness)

Instructions

1. Smash the Cucumbers – Gently smash the cucumbers with the flat side of a knife or a rolling pin until they crack open. Cut them into bite-sized pieces.

2. Salt & Drain – Toss the cucumber pieces with salt and let them sit for 10 minutes to draw out excess moisture. Drain any liquid.

3. Make the Dressing – In a small bowl, mix the white pepper, sugar, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Stir until the sugar dissolves.

4. Toss & Serve – Pour the dressing over the cucumbers, toss well, and let it sit for about 10 minutes for the flavors to meld. Garnish with chopped scallions and cilantro (if using) before serving.

Macronutrient Profile (Per Serving, Serves 3)

• Calories: 50 kcal

• Protein: 1g

• Carbohydrates: 6g

• Fat: 3g

Macronutrient Breakdown (Total for Recipe)

• Calories: 150 kcal

• Protein: 3g

• Carbohydrates: 18g

• Fat: 9g

Micronutrient Profile (Per Serving, Serves 3)

Vitamins:

• Vitamin C: 10% DV (from cucumbers)

• Vitamin K: 15% DV (from cucumbers and sesame seeds)

• Vitamin A: 5% DV (from sesame oil and cilantro)

Minerals:

• Calcium: 4% DV (from sesame seeds)

• Iron: 3% DV (from soy sauce and sesame seeds)

• Magnesium: 6% DV (from sesame seeds)

• Potassium: 8% DV (from cucumbers and scallions)

• Sodium: 20% DV (based on soy sauce amount)

Other Nutrients:

• Antioxidants: Present in sesame oil and cilantro

• Healthy Fats: Provided by sesame oil