Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad

A perfect summer snack, or a perfect anytime side dish!

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You may wonder why this cucumber salad was given such a moniker. I know I did! Answer – it originated in a Taiwanese restaurant of this name. And you may also wonder why cucumbers are considered a fruit, and not a vegetable. That’s right, botanically, they are a fruit, and the reason is because they grow from a flower and have seeds in the middle. Doesn’t matter that they are green. They are fruit!

The restaurant where this recipe originated is internationally famous for this dish, along with soup, dumplings, noodles, and many others. And it’s not just one building, but now boasts many, many locations in over 13 countries.

You’re going to love the simple, delicious, crispy goodness of this dish. It brings a little heat, a little bit of sweet and sour, with a big crunch, and a satisfying aftertaste. It’s great for snacking on by itself, but it’s also a terrific side dish. It will go well with a meal, especially sandwiches such as Easy Homemade Sweet Potato Veggie Burgers.

Is Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad Healthy?

We probably all know cucumbers are very good for our health, and tasty by themselves, but just how many plain cucumbers do you really want to eat? Here’s your answer – you don’t need to! A few simple pantry staples and a very few minutes of prep time, and you have a delicious snack or side dish that will have people asking you for the recipe.

The beauty of cucumbers is that they’re packed with vitamins (including many B vitamins), minerals (such as copper and potassium) as well as being vegan, and altogether refreshing! They contain fiber too, and of course water.

Do I really need to salt the cucumbers First?

Cucumbers are about 96% water, so salting the cucumbers and letting them drain for 10- 15 minutes is still going to leave plenty of water for hydration and health. They’ll also have a much-improved texture over unsalted cucumbers. The soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil won’t have the same impact if they are watered down. And you want the dressing rather thick, to hold onto the minced garlic.

INGREDIENTS

1 pound English cucumbers
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon chili flakes
1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil

INSTRUCTIONS

Salt

Prepare and salt cucumbers.

Dress

Whisk dressing ingredients.

Combine

Toss cucumbers with dressing.

Devour!

FAQs & Tips

How to Make Ahead and Store?

These are best made within several hours of serving. Any cucumber dish is best when fresh. After salting, rinsing, draining, and patting dry, toss them with the dressing. Let them marinate for a few minutes, as the recipe states, but up to 4 hours is good, too, to let the flavors meld.

Can I use mini cucumbers?

Mini cucumbers will work well, and can often be found in the organic section of the store. Use a cucumber that will have a thinner skin and smaller seeds, so English or Persian are best.

What does Din Tai Fung mean in English?

Din is wok, approximately (used a lot at the restaurants of this name). Tai translates to peace. And Fung means abundance. Sounds like a beautiful time!

Can I make this gluten-free?

Yes! Just find some gluten-free soy sauce and you’re good to go!

Serving Suggestions

These will make a great salad course option, but also a great side dish, especially alongside fish, chicken, or plant-based protein such as tofu. For a summery celebration any time of year, try them with Easy Vegetarian Lettuce Wraps with Jerk Grilled Tofu. For a super quick supper, try this Pan-Seared Chicken Breast and Quick Baked Potatoes or Greek Lemon Rice.