Japanese Cucumber Salad With Roasted Sesame Dressing
by This Japanese Cucumber Salad recipe is made using an Asian technique – spiral cut the cucumbers so they turn into long curls and the Japanese roasted sesame dressing creeps into all those slices and crevices.
It’s a fun way to prepare cucumbers that creates unique textures and flavors, plus it’s quick, easy, and super refreshing. A fantastic Japanese-inspired cucumber side dish that pairs with literally everything!
Japanese Cucumber Salad
Not the traditional vinegar based sunomono cucumber salad (酢の物), this is my take on cucumber salad with Japanese roasted sesame dressing, made with a special type of knife cut, called spiral-cut (蛇腹刀法), that creates super crunchy and refreshing cucumber texture in the mouthfeel.
Why I love this dish so much
- Easy to make and super refreshing for hot summer
- Spiral-cut cucumbers create unique textures and flavors
- Creamy roasted sesame dressing pairs beautifully with the curly cucumbers.
Ingredients to make the dish
- Japanese or Persian Cucumbers
- Roasted sesame dressing: toasted white sesame seeds, coconut aminos, rice vinegar, tahini, and mayo.
- Coarse sea salt
Best cucumbers to use
Use Japanese or Persian mini cucumbers. They have a crunchier texture and thin skin that you don’t need to peel. The seeds are also minimal so you don’t need to remove the seeds either.
If you can’t find persian cucumbers, use English cucumbers.
How to make Japanese cucumber salad recipe
- Spiral cut the cucumbers. See more information below.
- Salt the cucumber for 15 minutes.
- Rinse the cucumbers 3-4 times and pat dry.
- Combine with the roasted sesame dressing. Serve right away.
How to spiral cut the cucumbers (蓑衣黃瓜)
This special knife cut is popular in China. In Japan, it’’s referred to as 蛇腹刀法, meaning a snake-shaped spiral-cut with multi-dimensional textures and the cucumber tastes extra juicy. My Spicy cucumber salad also uses the same knife-cutting technique.
- Trim the tip ends of the cucumber.
- Place one cucumber between two chopsticks that you don’t mind scuffing up. This prevents you from cutting through (i.e. break) the cucumbers.
- Make thin straight cuts on the top, about 2 mm slices.
- Flip the cucumber over (with the unsliced surface facing you), and make thin slices on a slight diagonal.
- You can leave the cucumber in whole or cut it into halves.
Why spiral-cut the cucumbers?
This Asian technique turns the cucumbers into long spirals and it’s a fun way to prepare cucumbers that creates unique textures and flavors. The cucumbers taste extra juicy and refreshing!
Recipe Variations
You can easily create variety by switching up the salad dressing. For example: Paleo Asian “peanut” sauce, Thai “peanut” sauce, or Whole30 ranch yogurt dressing.
Just remember that the cucumbers are already salted so you might not need as much salt in the dressing.
Pairing suggestions
This Japanese cucumber salad is super satisfying and low-carb. I love to serve it with Air fried oyster mushrooms, shirataki cold noodle bowls, or Omurice with shirataki rice or at weekend barbecues with Tsukune (Japanese grilled chicken meatballs), Chicken yakitori, and Beef kabobs with broccoli. So So good!
And if you are looking for an equally delicious cucumber dish for hot summer, my cucumber gazpacho is also Japanese-inspired with a touch of miso!
More Refreshing Side Dishes
Want even more summer refreshing ideas? Check out my Asian Cucumber Salad (Din Tai Fung-Inspired!), Chinese Smashed Cucumber Salad (garlicky delicious!), Thai Peanut Sauce Cucumber Noodles, Japanese potato salad, and browse more Healthy Asian side dishes.
Tips For The Best Japanese Cucumber Salad
- Pick the right kind of cucumbers – persian mini cucumbers or Japanese cucumbers
- Spiral cut the cucumbers – use a pair of chopsticks. Thin straight cut on one side and diagonal cut on the flip side.
- Salt the cucumbers – 15 minutes only for this recipe.
- Rinse and Pat Dry – rinse under cold tap water 3 times. Pat dry before adding the dressing.
Japanese Cucumber Salad (Spiral-Cut with Sesame Dressing)
Ingredients
- 12 oz Japanese or Persian cucumbers, 6 mini cucumbers
- 1 tsp coarse sea salt
- Sprinkle toasted black and white sesame seeds,, optional
Japanese roasted sesame dressing (½ cup):
- 1 tbsp white sesame seeds
- 4 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1.5 tbsp rice vinegar
- 3 tbsp coconut aminos
- ½ to 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
- 2 tsp tahini
Instructions
To spiral cut the cucumbers:
- Rinse and pat dry the cucumbers. Trim the tip ends.
- Place one cucumber between two chopsticks that you don’t mind scuffed up. This prevents you from cutting through (i.e. break) the cucumbers.
- Make thin straight cuts on the top, about 2mm slices.
- Flip the cucumber over (with the unsliced surface facing you), make thin slices on diagonal at 45 degrees.
- Optional step. Cut the cucumber into halves. This will be easier to eat. Or you can leave them in whole for a more dramatic presentation.
To season and serve:
- In a large bowl, add the cucumbers and sprinkle with salt. Use your hands to gently rub/distribute the salt to each piece. Take care not to break the cucumber. Set a timer and refrigerate for 15 minutes only.
- In the meantime, make the salad dressing by following the instructions here.
- Rinse the cucumbers under cold tap water for 3-4 times and pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel.
- Combine the cucumbers with the dressing right before serving. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds, if using. Serve cold.
Notes
- If you can’t find persian cucumbers, use English cucumbers.
- Only salt the cucumbers for 15 minutes and no longer. They will break down and become too soft.
- Only combine with the dressing right before serving. The cucumbers will continue leaking out liquid.
- You can easily create variety by switching up the salad dressing. I recommend selecting one with a creamy texture: Paleo Asian “peanut” sauce, Paleo Thai “peanut” sauce, or Whole30 ranch yogurt dressing.
- When selecting a different dressing, just remember that the cucumbers are already salted so you might not need as much salt in the dressing.
- The dressing will yield about 1/2 cup. The nutritional label is estimated with 1/4 cup of dressing quantity.
Nutrition
These cucumbers are so crunchy and a perfect side dish to a hot, savory entreé!
So happy to hear!
Very nice dish! Super easy and fast!
Will def make it again ♡
Thanks so much!
The perfect side dish! Cool crunchy cucumbers and that delicious dressing! Just the right amount of creaminess and zest! So delicious!
This cucumber salad is so refreshing and crispy! Seriously the best out there!
Yum, what a fresh salad idea! Fun to make and super refreshing! That addressing is creamy delicious!
I am totally obsessed with this recipe. Super easy to make and satisfying for hot humid days!
Thank you for sharing the tips on how to cut the longest spiral cucumbers! Most people just said to cut them on a diagonal on both sides but that didn’t get the longest spirals at all. I tried your way – narrow straight-cut on one side and 45 degree cut on the flip side and it totally WORKS! The cucumbers taste extra juicy and refreshing with the creamy dressing. This will be my summer go-to side dish!