• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Aline Made logo
  • Recipes
    • Vegan
    • Breakfast
    • Sides & Snacks
    • Lunch & Dinner
    • Desserts
    • Basics
    • Baking
    • Drinks
    • Vegan Summer E-Book
    • Measurement Conversion Chart
  • About
  • Subscribe
  • Deutsch
  • Nav Social Menu

menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Meet Aline
  • Deutsch
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Asian Cucumber Salad

    Jan 11, 2021 · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    112 shares

    Read in: Deutsch

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    asian cucumber salad pinterest pin

    One of the easiest Asian cucumber salad with toasted sesame topping and sesame oil! Super quick, healthy, fresh, and so delicious!

    close up shot of spicy asian cucumber salad

    This Asian cucumber salad is one of my go-to Asian salad recipes! I love the combination of the tangy dressing with the fragrant toasted and slightly crunchy yet spicy sesame topping.

    It makes for an excellent appetizer or side dish to serve along with any kind of food, preferably Asian meals. Plus, it’s seriously so easy and quick to prepare!

    The Asian cucumber salad dressing is made with only 3 ingredients: soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, and sesame oil.

    On top comes the most delicious sesame topping! Mortared and toasted sesame seeds, red chili flakes, and black pepper – they make for a nice crunch, beautiful flavor, and some spiciness! Feel free to skip the red pepper flakes for a milder taste.

    asian cucumber salad with sesame topping

    Tastewise, it comes very close to Japanese cucumber salad. Although, the Japanese one is made with rice vinegar and not balsamic vinegar. Do you prefer the Japanese cucumber salad version? Substitute balsamic vinegar with rice vinegar.

    I am sure you will love the fact that this cucumber salad is super healthy and almost fat-free (only 1 tsp of sesame oil is needed).

    Plus, it can easily be made in advance. Let it marinate for 2 hours up to one day in the fridge, and it will be even more flavorful as the cucumber has more time to soak up the dressing.

    All credit for this brilliant recipe goes to Jamie Oliver. I adapted it from his “brilliant bang bang cucumber salad.” You can find the original recipe in his grandiose cookbook VEG, which I highly recommend for anyone who loves to cook a decent vegetarian meal. Jamie’s recipes are always spot on and come with the most beautiful flavors.

    japanese cucumber salad with sesame topping in a bowl

    Spicy Asian Cucumber Salad Recipe

    Read through this visual step-by-step guide with lots of extra tips! The exact quantities and everything else you need to know for the recipe can be found in the recipe card below.

    • Scratch the cucumber with a fork, then lay it on a cutting board and crush the cucumber flat using your fist. Slice diagonally while rotating the cucumber.
    Asian Cucumber Salad Recipe Step-1-3

    →This is a Japanese cutting technique and gives the cucumber a larger surface to absorb the seasoning faster).

    Asian Cucumber Salad Recipe Step-4
    • Toss with salt and let it drain over a sieve for 10 minutes.
    Asian Cucumber Salad Recipe Step-5-6
    • Place the sesame seeds, red pepper flakes, and black pepper in a mortar and crush a few times. Add it into a skillet and toast for 5 minutes over medium to low heat until fragrant.
    Asian Cucumber Salad Recipe Step-7-8
    • Squeeze excess juice from the cucumber using your hands, place in a large bowl and toss with soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, and sesame oil. Sprinkle with the toasted seasoning!
    Asian Cucumber Salad Recipe Step-9-10

    Recipe FAQ & Tips

    Can this salad be prepared in advance? Absolutely! Make it 2 hours or up to one day in advance and store it in the refrigerator. This way, the cucumber can absorb the dressing even better, resulting in a more flavorful salad.

    How long does it stay fresh? Leftovers can be stored for up to 2 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

    More Recipes You’ll Love:

    • Thai Cucumber Salad
    • Vegan Summer Rolls
    • Vegetarian Pad Thai
    • Orange Tofu
    • Black Pepper Tofu
    • Vegan Pho

    Did You Try This Recipe?

    I would love it if you leave me a 5-star rating or comment. This way, I better get to know which recipes you like and can make more of them.

    Please follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest for more free recipes! I would be thrilled to welcome you to my community!

    close up shot of spicy asian cucumber salad

    Asian Cucumber Salad

    Aline Cueni
    One of the easiest Asian cucumber salad with toasted sesame topping and sesame oil! Super quick, healthy, fresh, and so delicious!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 5 mins
    Total Time 20 mins
    Course Salad
    Cuisine Asian
    Servings 4
    Calories 27 kcal

    Ingredients
     

    • 2 cucumbers
    • ½ tsp salt
    • 2 tbsp sesame seeds
    • ½ tsp red pepper flakes optional
    • ½ tsp black pepper
    • 2 tbsp soy sauce
    • 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
    • 2 tsp sesame oil

    Instructions
     

    • Scratch each cucumber with a fork, then lay it on a cutting board and crush the cucumber flat using your fist. Slice diagonally while rotating the cucumber (this is a Japanese cutting technique and gives the cucumber a larger surface to absorb the seasoning faster).
    • Toss with salt and let it drain over a sieve for 10 minutes.
    • Place the sesame seeds, red pepper flakes, and black pepper in a mortar and crush a few times. Add it into a skillet and toast for 5 minutes over medium to low heat until fragrant.
    • Squeeze excess juice from the cucumbers using your hands, place in a large bowl and toss with soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, and sesame oil. Sprinkle with the toasted seasoning!

    Notes

    Make-Ahead: Tasted delicious if refrigerated for 2 hours or overnight!
    Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
    Recipe adapted from Jamie Oliver’s “Brilliant Bang Bang Cucumber” salad recipe – Original recipe can be found in his grandiose book VEG!

    Recommended Products

    Measuring Set
    Knife Set
    Mortar
    Non-Stick Frypan

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Asian Cucumber Salad
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 27 Calories from Fat 9
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 1g2%
    Saturated Fat 0.1g1%
    Polyunsaturated Fat 0.3g
    Monounsaturated Fat 0.3g
    Sodium 82mg4%
    Potassium 212mg6%
    Carbohydrates 4g1%
    Fiber 1g4%
    Sugar 2g2%
    Protein 2g4%
    Vitamin A 146IU3%
    Vitamin C 5mg6%
    Calcium 27mg3%
    Iron 0.5mg3%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    More Recipe Ideas

    • a stack of homemade pita bread
      Homemade Pita Bread
    • ramen eggs on a plate
      Ramen Eggs (Ajitsuke Tamago)
    • Kale salad with apples, figs, walnut and goat cheese in a salad bowl
      Kale Salad with Apples
    • two hand holding a bowl of Apple Celeriac Soup
      Apple & Celeriac Soup

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Aline Cueni | Founder & Blogger Aline Made

    Welcome

    Hi, I’m Aline!

    I’m a girl who loves to cook and bake delicious homemade food.  Let me help you to incorporate more plant-based foods into everyday life! Vegetarian & vegan recipes can be anything but boring. More about me!

    DON’T MISS A RECIPE

    Sign up now to get new recipes delivered to your inbox, plus my top 10 recipes ebook absolutely free!

    Popular Recipes

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Connect

    Join our community on social media!

    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Facebook

    Newsletter

    Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Change language

    EN | DE

    About

    • Meet Aline
    • Work With Us
    • Contact
    • Press
    • Resources
    • Privacy Policy

    Copyright © 2023 Aline Made

    112 shares