Crisp and Tangy Smashed Cucumber Salad
A super simple side dish enjoyed cold, tossing smashed white cucumber with prepared yellow mustard and garlic seasoning.
Translated from Korean by AI and not yet checked by a native speaker. Amounts and numbers are taken directly from the original recipe. Read the Korean original →
This is a super simple 3-minute vegetable side dish where firm white cucumbers are smashed so the seasoning absorbs deeply. Coarsely chopped garlic and pungent prepared yellow mustard give it a refreshing cold-salad feel. It is great to keep chilled in the refrigerator before serving, or to enjoy alongside ramyeon.
- Servings
- about 2–3 servings
- Cook time
- 3 minprep not included
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Spiciness
- Mildly spicy
Ingredients
Ingredients
- White cucumber2
Seasoning
- Peeled garlic4
- Sugar1 tbsp
- Vinegar2 tbsp
- Tuna extract sauce (chamchi-aek) (or 1 tsp salt)1 1/2 tbsp
- Prepared yellow mustard1/2 tsp
- Toasted sesame seeds1 tbsp
- Cucumbers used for smashed cucumber salad need to have a firm texture to ensure a good bite. You can also use spine cucumbers (gasi-oi), but make sure to buy firm ones.
- You can substitute 1 tsp salt for the tuna extract sauce (chamchi-aek).
Steps
Prepare 2 white cucumbers and 4 peeled garlic cloves.
Cucumbers used for smashed cucumber salad need to have a firm texture to ensure a good bite. You can also use spine cucumbers (gasi-oi), but make sure to buy firm ones.
Cover the cucumbers with plastic wrap and pound them with a rolling pin or glass bottle until they crack.
If you hit them too hard, they will break into too many small bits and lose their bite, so adjust your strength rather than striking hard from the start.
Tear apart any connected pieces by hand into bite-sized portions.
Crush the garlic with the flat side of a knife, then chop it so some texture remains.
Add all seasoning ingredients and mix to finish. You can substitute 1 tsp salt for the tuna extract sauce (chamchi-aek).
Grind half of the toasted sesame seeds like ground toasted sesame seeds before adding to enhance the nutty flavor.
Adjust the amount of sugar or vinegar to taste, and you may omit the prepared yellow mustard if you prefer.
Ppunwife's tips
- If you hit them too hard, they will break into too many small bits and lose their bite, so adjust your strength rather than striking hard from the start.
- Grind half of the toasted sesame seeds like ground toasted sesame seeds before adding to enhance the nutty flavor.
- I did not add toasted sesame oil, but you can try adding a tiny amount that won't detract from the refreshing flavor.
- The juice left at the bottom is packed with refreshing cucumber flavor and seasoning, so try taking a little sip of the broth while enjoying the cucumber.
FAQ
Is there a trick to keep the cucumber from shattering when smashing it?
Cover the cucumber with plastic wrap before hitting it with a rolling pin or bottle to keep pieces from flying. Hitting it too hard will create too many small fragments, so tap it gently while controlling your strength just until it cracks.
Is there a seasoning I can use instead of tuna extract sauce (chamchi-aek)?
You can season it with 1 tsp salt instead of tuna extract sauce (chamchi-aek).
Is it okay to use minced garlic?
Rather than finely minced garlic, crushing it with the side of a knife and chopping it so some texture remains provides better flavor and texture.
Can I use other cucumbers instead of white cucumber?
You can use spine cucumbers (gasi-oi), but it is best to choose ones that are firm to preserve the crisp texture.
