Asian Cucumber Salad with Sesame Oil and Soy Sauce
This Asian cucumber salad is a refreshing and flavorful side dish that is perfect for summer. The cucumbers are thinly sliced and tossed in a tangy and flavorful dressing made with rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, salt, and black pepper. The salad is then refrigerated for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Before serving, the salad is tossed with chopped cilantro. This salad is a great way to use up fresh cucumbers and is a perfect side dish for grilled meat or fish.
Cucumbers are one of the oldest cultivated vegetables, with evidence of their cultivation dating back to ancient Egypt. They were brought to Asia by traders and quickly became a popular ingredient in many dishes. This salad is a classic example of Asian cuisine, with its simple ingredients and refreshing flavor. The rice vinegar gives the salad a slight tanginess, while the soy sauce and sesame oil add a savory and nutty flavor. The sugar and salt help to balance out the flavors, and the black pepper adds a bit of spice. The cilantro adds a fresh and herbaceous flavor to the salad. This salad is a great way to use up fresh cucumbers and is a perfect side dish for grilled meat or fish.
Asian Cucumber Salad with Sesame Oil and Soy Sauce Asian Cucumber Salad with Sesame Oil and Soy Sauce Asian Cucumber Salad with Sesame Oil and Soy Sauce Asian Cucumber Salad with Sesame Oil and Soy Sauce
Prep time: 15 | Cook time: 0 | Serves: 2
Ingredients
  • 1 English cucumber, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
Instructions
  1. In a large bowl, combine the cucumbers, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, salt, and black pepper.
  2. Toss to coat.
  3. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
  4. Before serving, stir in the cilantro.
Why It Works
  • The thin slicing of the cucumbers allows the dressing to penetrate the vegetable and flavor it evenly.
  • The rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, salt, and black pepper create a flavorful dressing that complements the cucumbers.
  • The refrigeration time allows the flavors of the dressing to meld and penetrate the cucumbers.
  • The addition of cilantro adds a fresh and herbaceous flavor to the salad.