Cucumber Shaker with Rice Vinegar (Printable)

Tangy and crisp cucumber salad featuring rice vinegar, sesame oil, and savory seasonings for a fresh bite.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 medium cucumbers, chilled
02 - 2 spring onions, finely sliced

→ Seasonings & Umami

03 - 1 ½ teaspoons fine sea salt
04 - 2 teaspoons sugar
05 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (unseasoned)
06 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
07 - 1 teaspoon MSG (monosodium glutamate)
08 - ½ teaspoon soy sauce (gluten-free if required)
09 - 1 small garlic clove, finely minced
10 - ¼ teaspoon white pepper (optional)
11 - 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds, plus extra for garnish
12 - 1–2 teaspoons chili crisp or chili oil (optional, to taste)

# Method:

01 - Wash and dry cucumbers. Trim ends and halve lengthwise. Using the flat side of a chef's knife or rolling pin, gently smash until split and cracked. Cut into bite-sized pieces and place in a large bowl.
02 - Add sea salt and sugar to cucumbers. Toss thoroughly and let sit for 5 minutes to extract excess moisture.
03 - Carefully drain off any liquid released from the cucumbers.
04 - Add rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, MSG, soy sauce, minced garlic, white pepper if using, and toasted sesame seeds. Toss until ingredients are evenly distributed.
05 - Incorporate chili crisp or chili oil to desired spiciness and umami depth, if using.
06 - Gently fold in finely sliced spring onions to preserve texture.
07 - Taste seasoning and adjust if necessary. Serve immediately or refrigerate for 10 minutes to enhance crunch.
08 - Sprinkle additional toasted sesame seeds before serving.

# Expert Pointers:

01 -
  • It comes together in 10 minutes and tastes like you've been cooking for hours.
  • That savory MSG kick transforms ordinary cucumbers into something that stops conversations at the dinner table.
  • It's refreshing enough to eat as a snack but substantial enough to balance rich, grilled proteins.
02 -
  • MSG is safe for the vast majority of people and isn't a flavor amplifier in the way myths suggest—it's an actual taste sensation called umami that exists naturally in tomatoes, mushrooms, and aged cheese.
  • Don't skip the draining step; leaving that liquid in will make your salad soggy and dilute all the carefully built flavors.
  • Add the spring onions at the very end, not earlier—if they sit in the dressing too long, they lose their fresh bite and become soft.
03 -
  • Chill your cucumbers before you start—they'll stay crisper longer and the cold will make the smashing feel more satisfying.
  • Mix the MSG with a tiny bit of the vinegar before adding it to the bowl so it dissolves evenly and doesn't clump.
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