Chinese Cucumber Salad DIY Recipe (w/ step-by-step instructions)

This Chinese cucumber salad is SO RIDICULOUSLY GOOD. It tastes like restaurant quality. I am SO happy my mom has discovered the joys of Youtube. So let me start by saying that the measurements below are simply rough estimates because my mom literally just eyeballs everything when she’s cooking – she’s like “oh, just one spoon. Maybe two spoons?” Gosh, it’s so difficult to write up a recipe when she goes like that. Anyway, this is my best attempt and I’ll come back to edit this if/when I finally figure out the legit measurements to the tablespoon.

DELECTABLE APPETIZER FOR THE DAY: CHINESE CUCUMBER SALAD

DIFFICULTY: Easy

SERVING SIZE: Good for 5 people

PREP TIME: 15 minutes + 1 hour (marinading time)

INGREDIENTS FOR CHINESE CUCUMBER SALAD

• 4 baby cucumbers
• 1 tsp salt
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 red chili, chopped
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar
• 2 tbsp black vinegar
• 2 tbsp light soy sauce
• 2 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp sesame oil

STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS TO MAKE CHINESE CUCUMBER SALAD

• Wash the cucumber carefully. Use your fingers or a toothbrush to scrub the skin gently, but making sure all the dirt’s gone
• Afterwards, slice the cucumber in half, place it skin side up on the chopping board, then use a cleaver to smash the cucumber. Smashing really makes a huge difference, because it gives the cucumber that coarse texture that allows it to hold the sauce better
• Chop up the cucumber into smaller cubes. Then sprinkle 1 tsp of salt over the cucumbers and mix. Leave alone for 30 minutes. The salt will draw out the cucumber juices.
• After 30 minutes, drain all the excess liquids.

• It’s now time for the flavor. Mince 5 cloves of garlic. To prevent the raw garlick-y taste, submerge these minced garlic in 2 tbsp rice vinegar for 15 minutes.
• In the meantime, chop up 3 red chili.
• Place the minced garlic, chopped chili, rice vinegar into the cucumber bowl, along with 2 tbsp rice vinegar, 2 tbsp black vinegar, 2 tbsp light soy sauce, 2 tsp sugar, and 1 tsp sesame oil. Mix well.
• Bon Appetit!