🍳DailyRecipes
Salad

Refreshing Japanese Cucumber Salad

This light and crisp cucumber salad is the perfect cooling side dish for any meal.

By Daily Recipes Book· 🌍 Japanese· August 27, 2026
Refreshing Japanese Cucumber Salad
dailyrecipesbook.com
Prep
15 minutes
Cook
0 minutes
Total
15 minutes
Serves
4

Sunomono is a staple side dish in Japanese cooking that I always find myself craving when the weather gets warm. It relies on the simple magic of thinly sliced cucumbers and a tangy dressing that brings out their natural sweetness.

My top tip for this salad is to squeeze as much water as possible out of the cucumbers after salting them. This ensures your dressing stays flavorful and punchy rather than getting diluted by the excess liquid.

Ingredients

  • 2 English cucumbers, thinly sliced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds

Instructions

  1. 1

    Place the cucumber slices in a bowl and sprinkle them with the salt. Toss gently and let them sit for 10 minutes.

  2. 2

    Use your hands to squeeze the water out of the cucumbers very firmly, then pat them dry with a clean paper towel.

  3. 3

    In a small bowl, whisk together the rice vinegar, sugar, and soy sauce until the sugar is fully dissolved.

  4. 4

    Add the cucumbers to the dressing and toss well to coat everything evenly.

  5. 5

    Sprinkle the toasted sesame seeds over the top and serve immediately or keep chilled in the fridge until you are ready to eat.

💡 Tips

This salad tastes best when served chilled, so feel free to make it an hour ahead of time. Keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. It pairs wonderfully with grilled salmon or teriyaki chicken.

#Vegetarian#Vegan#Healthy#Gluten Free#Salad

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