The Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad is an iconic side dish that pairs wonderfully with a variety of meals. This simple yet flavor-packed salad is made with marinated cucumber slices in a savory and slightly spicy soy-based dressing. With only a few ingredients and minimal prep time, it’s no wonder this dish has become a favorite among diners. Whether you’re serving it alongside rice, noodles, or dumplings, this cucumber salad is sure to impress.
What Makes Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad Special?
One of the standout features of the Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad is its balance of flavors and textures. The sweetness of the sugar complements the saltiness of the soy sauce, while the chili oil adds just the right amount of spice. The crispness of the cucumbers brings a refreshing bite that ties everything together. It’s a versatile side dish that’s perfect for hot summer days, but also holds up well year-round.
Let’s dive into how you can recreate this restaurant-quality dish at home using ingredients you likely already have in your pantry.
Choosing the Right Cucumbers
When it comes to making Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad, the type of cucumber you choose matters. For the best results, we recommend using Persian or English cucumbers. These varieties are naturally sweeter, have a thinner skin, and contain fewer seeds, making them ideal for salads.
Why Persian or English Cucumbers?
- Seedless: Unlike regular cucumbers, these are mostly seedless, ensuring a smoother texture in your salad.
- Less Water Content: Persian and English cucumbers have less water, which helps keep your salad crisp and prevents it from becoming soggy after marinating.
- Sweeter Flavor: These cucumbers offer a mild, slightly sweet flavor that complements the savory dressing perfectly.
If you can’t find Persian or English cucumbers, regular cucumbers will work as a substitute, but you may want to scoop out the seeds and pat them dry to reduce excess moisture.
Ingredients for Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad Dressing
Creating the signature dressing for this salad is incredibly simple and only requires a handful of ingredients:
- Light Soy Sauce: We recommend using reduced sodium soy sauce to keep the salt content in check.
- Rice Vinegar: This adds a slight tanginess that brightens the overall flavor.
- Sugar: Balances the acidity and saltiness with a touch of sweetness.
- Grated Garlic: Fresh garlic brings a punch of aromatic flavor.
- Chili Oil: Adds heat and depth of flavor. For an authentic taste, you can use homemade Sichuan Chili Oil.
- Sesame Oil: This provides a rich, nutty flavor that enhances the overall profile of the dish.
- Kosher Salt: Used to draw out excess moisture from the cucumbers, which makes them even crisper.
Step-by-Step Recipe Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Cucumbers
Start by slicing your cucumbers into ½-inch rounds. For a cleaner presentation, try to make your slices as uniform as possible. Once sliced, place the cucumbers in a large bowl and mix them with kosher salt. Let the cucumbers sit for about 30 minutes. This step allows the salt to draw out excess moisture, resulting in crisper cucumbers.
After 30 minutes, rinse the cucumbers under cold water to remove the salt. Pat them dry using a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. The drier the cucumbers, the better they will absorb the marinade.
Step 2: Make the Dressing
While the cucumbers are resting, you can prepare the dressing. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together:
- 2 tablespoons of light soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons of rice vinegar
- ½ tablespoon of sugar
- 2 cloves of grated garlic
- ½ tablespoon of chili oil
- ½ tablespoon of sesame oil
This quick marinade is what will infuse your cucumbers with the delicious flavors that make this salad so memorable.
Step 3: Marinate the Cucumbers
Once the cucumbers have been rinsed and dried, add them to the bowl of dressing. Toss the cucumbers in the dressing until each piece is thoroughly coated. Let the cucumbers marinate in the dressing for at least 10 minutes, but if you have time, letting them sit for a longer period (up to a couple of hours) will intensify the flavors.
Step 4: Garnish and Serve
For an extra touch, you can drizzle an additional drop of chili oil on each cucumber slice for a pop of color and added heat. This is entirely optional but highly recommended for spice lovers.
