This copycat of the famous Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad is a vibrant and fresh side dish that perfectly complements your dim sum!
This cucumber salad, inspired by the GOAT from the celebrated Taiwanese restaurant chain Din Tai Fung, is all you need to level up your at-home dim sum.
You’re going to love how simple, delicious, and perfectly crunchy this cucumber salad is. It brings a hint of heat, a little bit of sweet and sour, and a satisfying aftertaste.
Prepare the cucumbers for salting, grab the bags of frozen dumplings out the freezer, and get ready for a restaurant-level meal in the comfort of your own home!
It’s great for snacking on by itself, but it’s also a fantastic side dish to have alongside your favorite dim sum, like har gow (steamed shrimp dumplings), cheung fun (steamed rice noodle rolls), siu mai (open-topped pork and shrimp dumplings), xiaolongbao (soup dumplings), and nai wong bao (steamed custard buns).
Is Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad Healthy?
We probably all know cucumbers are very good for our health. They are low in carbohydrates and calories, the skins contain fiber, and the flesh provides hydration and a subtle flavor perfect for dressing up with other ingredients.
To make this recipe healthier, you can swap the granulated sugar for your favorite natural sweetener like honey or maple syrup. While this recipe is vegan-friendly and keto-friendly, to make it gluten-free, you can easily swap the soy sauce for coconut aminos.
Where did this cucumber salad come from?
Din Tai Fung is a restaurant chain renowned for its exceptional Chinese dumplings and traditional Taiwanese cuisine. Founded in 1958 in Taipei, it has since expanded globally, boasting over 200 locations across 13 countries, including the United States, Japan, Britain, and Singapore.
With numerous accolades, including Michelin stars at various locations, you know you’re getting nothing short of the best of the best. Which is why this cucumber salad is so good!
The Din Tai Fung cucumber salad is a refreshing and popular appetizer that perfectly complements the restaurant’s renowned dumplings and other heavier dishes. Based loosely on traditional Chinese cucumber salads, this salad features crunchy cucumbers, typically sliced into thick rounds, which are marinated in a flavorful dressing that balances sweet, tangy, and spicy notes.
Before serving, the salad is garnished with a drizzle of chili oil, and the pop of red against the humble green cucumbers brings just as much visual interest as flavor.
How To Make Ahead And Store
It’s traditional to let the salad marinate for several hours or even overnight before serving, but it will be just as good fresh, especially if you love the crunch!
To store, keep the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The rice vinegar will act as a quick-pickling liquid, so the cucumbers may soften with time, but they will taste even better!
Serving Suggestions
This cucumber salad is unreal alongside your favorite recipes for fish, chicken, or plant-based protein like tofu. It’s a great side dish to a Dumpling Soup, some Chicken Potstickers, a few Fried Spring Rolls, or some Egg Rolls—really, any of your favorite dim sum dishes!
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 or chili oil
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
Instructions
- Slice the cucumbers into 1/4-inch thick rounds and place them in a colander. Sprinkle with sea salt, toss well to coat each piece in salt, and let sit for 10 to 15 minutes to draw out excess moisture.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together low-sodium soy sauce, rice vinegar, granulated sugar, minced garlic, chili flakes, and toasted sesame oil, until the sugar dissolves.
- Rinse the salted cucumbers under cold water and pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel. Add the cucumbers to the dressing and toss to coat evenly. Allow the salad to marinate for at least 20 minutes, ideally 2 hours, or up to 24 hours before serving.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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