Japanese Cucumber Salad or Sunomono Salad is a crunchy, sweet, and tangy Asian salad requiring only a few simple ingredients. It is great as an appetizer or a side dish!
This time I want to share a very simple, but a very tasty salad with you. I am not even sure if it's a salad or a side dish, or an appetizer. What I am sure about is that it's insanely delicious! I am talking about a classic Japanese Cucumber Salad, also known as Sunomono. Actually, Sunomono just means "vinegared things" in Japanese, so any other fresh vegetables can be used. However, the cucumber version is undoubtedly the most popular one.
Basically, it's a thinly sliced cucumber marinated in a dressing made of rice vinegar, soy sauce, salt, sugar and sprinkled with sesame seeds. It's also important to squeeze all the water from cucumbers before mixing them with the dressing! I made the traditional and simple version, but you can also add some seaweed (if you like it) or some seafood, such as shrimp, crab, or else. Sunomono is usually made with Japanese cucumbers (Persian cucumbers are also considered a great choice), but I wasn't able to find any of these, so I used a good old English cucumber and the result was outstanding too.
This salad is usually served before the main meal in Japan. It is perfect for increasing your appetite. If you have ever been in Japanese restaurants you should have seen it on the menu. However, I also enjoy it as a side dish with sushi, Japanese cabbage pancakes or any other, even not Japanese, dish!
I love everything about this Japanese Cucumber Salad. It is refreshing, light, and sweet & tangy at the same time! The vinegar dressing does the job. Oh and don't forget the pleasant crunchiness of the cucumbers. Also, it requires almost no time to make. You can throw it together in under 5 minutes! 
Japanese Cucumber Salad Recipe (Sunomono)
Ingredients
- 1 large English cucumber or 2 Japanese cucumbers
- ½ tablespoon salt
- ½ tablespoon sugar , or more
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon white sesame seeds
Instructions
- Thinly slice the cucumber. You can do it either by hand or using a food processor. Rub the slices with salt and drain for 5 minutes in a colander. Rinse under cold running water and squeeze them tightly to remove water. Set aside.
- In a small bowl, mix the sugar, soy sauce, and rice vinegar until the sugar dissolves.
- Add the dressing to the cucumber slices, sprinkle with sesame seeds and mix well. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Holly
This salad looks so delicious! I love how simple it is. The perfect summer side dish!
Igor
Sometimes simple things are the best. Thanks for the comment, Holly! 🙂
Brian Jones
Gotta try this, it is very similar in many ways to a classic Hungarian uborkasaláta (or Cucumber Salad) and something I love very much!
Igor
Brian, I have never heard about Uborkasaláta. Going to google it!
Daniela Apostol
Who said you can't get big flavours from simple ingredients? This salad is perfect, refreshing, with a lovely crunch and that unique Asian kick. I would gladly have it on its own, although l think it goes really well with meat as well. Lovely!
Igor
Thank you so much for the comment, Daniela! It is really awesome 🙂
Camilla @FabFood4All
Lovely cucumber dish which reminds me of something my mum used to make but without the soy sauce:-)
Igor
Camilla, try this version with the soy sauce and you will fall in love!
Azlin Bloor
I adore this salad Igor, in the summer especially and it makes a quick lesson in my Japanese classes! I love your recipe and presentation!
Igor
Thank you for the kind words, Azlin!
Sarah
Oh yum! I've heard of something like this before but have never tried it. I think the tangy sauces and cool cucumber would go together so well, I'll have to try it out 🙂
Igor
Sarah, they really go well together! You have to try it 🙂