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Home » Recipes » Vegan Asian Recipes

Published: Jun 7, 2024 · Modified: Apr 15, 2025 by Jim Mee Sha · This post may contain affiliate links

Spicy Asian Cucumber Salad

Jump to Recipe

Crunchy, refreshing, and packed with flavors, this spicy Asian cucumber salad is the perfect summer side dish! It is easy to make and is ready in 20 minutes.

Like my other Chinese side dishes, such as peanut sauce rice noodles, vegan wontons, and tofu lettuce wraps, this Asian cucumber salad is incredibly versatile. It pairs beautifully with both rice and noodle dishes, adding a fresh kick to any meal.

Taking out a piece of cucumber from a plate of cucumber salad with sesame oil and chili flakes beside.

Incredibly refreshing and full of flavor, this spicy Asian cucumber salad is one I find myself making on repeat during the warmer months. I especially love serving it with Asian-inspired mains like baked teriyaki tofu or vegan Japchae for a light yet satisfying meal!

Jump to:
  • 💚Why you will love this Asian cucumber salad 
  • 🌶️What you will need 
  • 🔪How to make spicy Asian cucumber salad
  • ✅Helpful tips 
  • 🍛Serving suggestions
  • ❄️Storing suggestions 
  • ❔Commonly asked questions
  • 🥗More refreshing salad recipe
  • 📖 Recipe

💚Why you will love this Asian cucumber salad 

  •  A bright and crisp summer side dish that’s incredibly refreshing  
  • Quick and fuss-free – ready in just 20 minutes  
  • Versatile and pairs well with a variety of Asian mains (like my tomato sauce tofu and teriyaki tofu stir-fry) 
  • Light, healthy, and a fun way to enjoy cucumbers! 

🌶️What you will need 

Ingredients needed like cucumber, chili oil, garlic, sugar, and other seasonings.
  • Cucumber – For best results, go with a seedless variety like Japanese, English, or Persian cucumber. I’m using two medium Japanese cucumbers. 
  • Soy sauce – Swap it with tamari or shoyu if you prefer, and opt for a gluten-free version if needed.
  • Rice vinegar –  You can also use white vinegar or try Chinese black vinegar for a deeper, more complex flavor.
  • Chili oil – This spicy, aromatic oil is what carries the flavor of this dish. I love using Lao Gan Ma chili crisp, but any store-bought or homemade chili oil will do the trick.
  • Sugar – A touch of sweetness to balance the flavors. Feel free to use any granulated sweetener or a sugar substitute like erythritol.
  • Toppings – Toasted sesame seeds add the perfect nutty crunch. You can also toss in some chopped scallions or chili flakes for extra flavor!

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

🌶️Tip - Adjusting the spice level 

If you’re craving extra heat, add a teaspoon of red pepper flakes or gochugaru to dial up the spice. For a milder version, simply reduce the chili oil or use a milder chili oil, like this Mr Bing mild chili oil.

🔪How to make spicy Asian cucumber salad

Salting cucumber slices in a glass bowl.

Step 1: Sweat the cucumbers by adding them to a bowl with salt. Toss until salt is well distributed, then allow to sit for 10-15 minutes. Drain and rinse the cucumber thoroughly.

Dressing for cucumber salad in a ramekin with a teaspoon beside.

Step 2: While cucumbers are sweating, combine all ingredients needed to make the sauce.

Pouring dressing into a bowl of sliced cucumbers.

Step 3: Pour dressing into the cucumber slices. Toss until cucumbers are well coated. 

A plate of cucumber salad served with chopsticks with a dish of sesame seeds and chili flakes beside.

Step 4: Serve and enjoy your spicy Asian cucumber salad! 

✅Helpful tips 

  • Try different cuts for cucumber – Switch things up by making spiral-cuts, smashing with a meat mallet or the flat side of a knife, or slicing the cucumbers on a sharp diagonal for different textures and visual appeal.
  • Salt before using – Lightly salting (or “sweating”) the cucumbers helps draw out excess moisture, keeping your salad crisp and preventing it from turning watery.
  • Rinse and drain well – After salting, be sure to rinse thoroughly and pat dry to avoid an overly salty salad.
  • Let it marinate – If time allows, chill the salad in the fridge for 15–30 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld and the cucumbers soak up all that tasty dressing.

🍛Serving suggestions

I love putting together a Chinese-inspired meal by pairing this spicy Asian cucumber salad with flavorful mains like vegan orange chicken, vegan chop suey, or Szechuan tofu. If I have a bit more time, I’ll often whip up extra sides like rice paper egg rolls or crispy vegan scallion pancakes. 

No Chinese-style spread feels complete without a comforting bowl of soup—think tofu vegetable soup or a simple napa cabbage soup. This cucumber salad also makes a refreshing, light snack on warm summer afternoons!

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Cucumber salad topped with chili flakes and sesame oil with a pair of chopsticks beside.

❄️Storing suggestions 

Spicy Asian cucumber salad keeps well in the fridge for 3 to 4 days in an airtight container. The cucumbers will continue to release water and soak up the dressing, becoming even more flavorful as it sits.

Any leftover, watered-down sauce is delicious spooned over rice or noodles for an easy, flavor-packed meal.

However, I do not recommend storing it beyond 4 days, as the cucumbers may start to lose their crunch.

❔Commonly asked questions

Should cucumbers be peeled for salads?

If you're using thin-skinned varieties like Japanese, English, or Persian cucumbers, there's no need to peel cucumbers before using them in salads. However, if you're using American cucumbers, it’s best to peel them, as their skin is thicker and more bitter.

How do I keep my cucumber salad from getting watery?

Salting the cucumbers before making the salad is key. It helps draw out excess moisture, keeping your cucumber salad crisp and preventing it from turning soggy and watery.

Do I need to rinse cucumbers after salting?

Yes, definitely give them a good rinse and pat dry after salting them. This helps remove any excess salt and keeps the flavor balanced.

Can I freeze cucumber salad?

Freezing this Asian cucumber salad is not recommended. Cucumbers have a high water content, and once thawed, they tend to become mushy and lose their crunchiness.

A plate of cucumber salad served with chopsticks with sesame seeds in the background.

🥗More refreshing salad recipe

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    Japanese Wakame Seaweed Salad
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    Romaine Lettuce Avocado Salad
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📖 Recipe

A plate of cucumber salad served with chopsticks with sesame seeds and chili flakes beside.

Spicy Asian Cucumber Salad

Meesha
Crunchy, refreshing, and packed with flavors, this spicy Asian cucumber salad is the perfect summer side dish! It is easy to make and is ready in 20 minutes.
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Rest time 10 minutes mins
Total Time 20 minutes mins
Course Appetizer, Side Dish
Cuisine Chinese
Servings 3 servings
Calories 74 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 medium Japanese cucumber or English/Persian cucumber (around 450g/16oz)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cloves garlic minced

Sauce

  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari/shoyu
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 2 teaspoon Chinese chili oil
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions
 

  • Add cucumber and salt in a bowl, and toss until the salt is well distributed. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes, then drain and rinse the cucumber thoroughly.
  • In a bowl, combine all ingredients needed to make the dressing.
  • Pour dressing into cucumber slices, and toss until cucumbers are well coated.
  • Serve immediately, or let it sit in the fridge for 15-30 minutes before digging in to allow time for the cucumbers to absorb the flavors.

Notes

Helpful tips 
  • Allowing salad to marinate - If you have time, let the salad sit in the fridge for 15-30 minutes before serving. This allows the cucumber slices to absorb the dressing, yielding a more flavorful salad. 
  • Adjusting the spice levels - This salad is mild to moderately spicy. To bump up the heat, add a teaspoon of red pepper flakes or gochugaru. For a milder salad, use mild chili oil. 
  • Storing leftover salad - Leftover cucumber salad can be refrigerated for 3-4 days. 

Save this recipe!

Email yourself a link to this page and come back later.

Also get a FREE high-protein vegan recipe eBook + weekly new recipes! Unsubscribe anytime.

Nutrition

Calories: 74kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 2gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gSodium: 1114mgPotassium: 203mgFiber: 1gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 97IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 24mgIron: 0.5mg

Nutrition info calculated is just a rough estimate and is provided as a courtesy. Bear in mind that value will vary based on variables like specific brand or type of product used. To obtain the most accurate representation, it is highly recommended that you calculate it on your own with the actual amount and type of ingredient used.

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A headshot of Mee Sha leaning on a handrail.

Hi, nice to meet you! I am Mee Sha, a final-year dietetic student passionate about nutrition, cooking, and food. This blog was created to share my favorite plant-powered recipe!

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