Pai huang gua or smacked cucumber salad is the OG of cucumber salads! Salty, tangy, garlicky, and with a touch of sesame nuttiness, this recipe is all about balance and it's very easy to make!
Category
Lunch
Servings
4
Prep time
20 minutes
Cook time
0 minutes
Pai huang gua or smacked cucumber salad is the OG of cucumber salads! Salty, tangy, garlicky, and with a touch of sesame nuttiness, this recipe is all about balance and it's very easy to make!
Ingredients
- 1 large cucumber
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- ½ tsp sugar
- ½ tbsp black vinegar (or balsamic vinegar as an alternative)
- 1 clove garlic, finely grated
- chilli crisp, to serve
Directions
Place the cucumber on a sturdy surface. Using the flat side of a large knife or a rolling pin, lightly smack the cucumber five or six times to break it open slightly, but avoid smashing it into mush. Cut the cucumber into 10–12 bite-sized pieces at an angle.
- Put the cucumber pieces in a bowl, sprinkle with salt, and toss to coat evenly. Let the cucumber sit for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, drain off any liquid that has been released.
- Add the sugar, sesame seeds, black vinegar, and grated garlic to the cucumber pieces. Mix well to combine.
- Transfer the cucumber salad to a serving bowl and garnish with chilli crisp to taste. Serve immediately and enjoy!
