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This easy Chinese cucumber salad is crisp, tangy, and lightly sweet. Fresh cucumbers are salted, chilled, and tossed with a simple mix of sugar and Chinese rice vinegar for that perfect crunch and refreshing flavor. It makes a great appetizer or side dish for any meal.
Crunchy Asian Cucumber Salad
There is a common misconception that Chinese food is unhealthy, greasy, and mostly deep fried. In reality, many Chinese recipes are fresh, light, and full of flavor, like this crisp cucumber salad. Chinese salads are often served as a cold appetizer during a multicourse meal to cleanse the palate and prepare you for the main dishes. What makes this cucumber salad so appealing is how bright and crisp it feels with every bite. It’s the kind of dish that instantly wakes up your taste buds, offering a cool, tangy contrast to richer or heavier flavors on the table.
This crunchy Asian cucumber salad is tangy, lightly sweet, and perfectly balanced, with a satisfying crunch that keeps it lively and refreshing. Even with just a few simple ingredients, it adds brightness to any meal. It pairs beautifully with spicier dishes such as Sichuan Red Oil Wontons or richer main courses such as Braised Pork Belly (Dongpo Rou) and Twice Cooked Pork, giving your palate a refreshing break while adding a pop of color and flavor to the table.
Your New Favorite Appetizer
Here’s why this easy dish deserves a spot on your table:
- Light, crisp, and refreshing. Every bite is cool and crunchy, the kind of texture that instantly wakes up your appetite.
- Tangy with a hint of sweetness. The balance of vinegar and sugar gives it that clean, bright flavor you’ll crave after something rich or spicy.
- Perfect make-ahead dish. It gets even better after chilling, so it’s always ready to serve straight from the fridge.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Cucumber
- Chinese rice vinegar
Check out the recipe card at the bottom of this post for all the ingredient details.
Pro Tip #1: Why I Use Japanese Cucumbers
I prefer Japanese cucumbers because they have lower water content compared to regular cucumbers, which helps keep the salad extra crisp. They are naturally crunchy and juicy, giving the salad that satisfying bite every time. But you can use regular cucumbers too.
Pro Tip #2: Salt Is Key
Salt isn’t just for seasoning. Sprinkling it over the cucumbers draws out excess water, keeping them crunchy instead of soggy. It also lightly seasons the cucumbers so they’re flavorful even before adding the vinegar and sugar.
Pro Tip #3: Don’t Skip The Sugar
A little sugar balances the tang from the Chinese rice vinegar and enhances the natural freshness of the cucumber. It rounds out the flavor so the salad is bright and refreshing, not just sour.
Pro Tip #4: Why Chinese Rice Vinegar Works Best
I use Chinese rice vinegar for its mild, slightly sweet acidity. It gives the salad that signature tangy flavor without overpowering the cucumbers. It’s softer and more fragrant than regular white vinegar, making every bite perfectly balanced.
How To Make Chinese Cucumber Salad
First, give your cucumber a good rinse under cold water and chop off the ends. I used Japanese cucumbers, so I sliced them in half lengthwise since they’re thinner. If you’re using regular cucumbers, slice them into quarters lengthwise because they’re thicker and have more water.
Next, scoop out the seeds with a spoon and pat the cucumber pieces dry with a paper towel so they don’t get watery.
Slice the cucumbers diagonally into bite-sized pieces. This makes them easy to grab and perfect for tossing in the dressing later.
Put the cucumbers in a bowl, sprinkle with salt, and let them sit for about 30 minutes. This helps bring out that natural crunch we all love.
Drain any extra water from the bowl.
Then mix in sugar and Chinese rice vinegar. This gives the salad a bright, tangy-sweet flavor that really wakes up your taste buds.
Pop it in the fridge for at least an hour before serving. It tastes even better cold, and it is great as a make-ahead side dish for dinners, gatherings, or whenever you want a refreshing bite.
Frequently Asked Questions
Chinese rice vinegar works best for this recipe. It has a mild, slightly sweet taste that blends perfectly with the cucumbers. If you don’t have it, you can substitute with rice wine vinegar or even white vinegar, but the flavor will be a little sharper.
That usually happens if the cucumbers weren’t salted long enough or not drained properly. Make sure to let them sit with salt for about 30 minutes, then pat dry before adding the dressing.
It’s best served cold. Chilling it for at least an hour lets the vinegar soak in and keeps the cucumbers crisp and refreshing.
It stays fresh for up to 2 days in an airtight container. After that, the cucumbers might soften a little, so it’s best enjoyed within the first day for that perfect crunch.
This recipe is 14 calories per serving.
What To Serve With This Recipe
For an easy and wholesome Chinese weeknight dinner, I recommend the following recipes:
I hope you enjoy this post as much as I do. If you try my recipe, please leave a comment and consider giving it a 5-star rating. For more easy and delicious recipes, explore my Recipe Index, and stay updated by subscribing to my newsletter and following me on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for new updates.
Other Cucumber Salad Recipes You Might Like
Chinese Cucumber Salad
Ingredients
- 1 cucumber, about 8 oz (250g), Japanese or regular cucumber
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon Chinese rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sugar
Instructions
- Rinse the cucumber thoroughly under cold running water and cut off the ends. If using a Japanese cucumber, slice it in half lengthwise. If using a regular cucumber, quarter it lengthwise.
- Use a teaspoon to scoop out the seeds, then pat the cucumber pieces dry with paper towels.
- Slice the cucumber diagonally into bite-sized pieces.
- Transfer the cucumber into a bowl, sprinkle with salt, and mix well. Let it sit for 30 minutes.
- Drain any excess water, then add sugar and Chinese rice vinegar. Stir to combine.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving. Serve as a refreshing appetizer or side dish.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
