Spicy Asian Cucumber Salad (TikTok Viral)
This Spicy Asian Cucumber Salad is refreshing, flavorful, and ridiculously easy to make! With just a few ingredients, you can create a dish that’s perfect as an appetizer, side dish, or even a light snack.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
If you’ve been scrolling through TikTok or Instagram, chances are you’ve seen this viral cucumber salad. But what makes it so popular?
- Quick & Easy – Takes just 10 minutes to prepare.
- Super Refreshing – Perfect for warm weather or whenever you need something light and crisp.
- Versatile – Enjoy it as an appetizer, side, or snack.
- Adjustable Heat – Make it as spicy (or mild) as you like.
- Visually Stunning – The spiral-cut cucumbers look fancy, but they’re easy to make!
Ingredients and Substitutions
Please scroll ⬇️ to the recipe card for the full ingredient amounts and instructions.
- Mini Cucumbers – Crisp and perfect for this salad. Regular cucumbers are too big and watery.
- Salt – Draws out moisture, keeping cucumbers crunchy.
- Soy Sauce – Adds a deep, umami flavor.
- Rice Vinegar – Brings the tangy kick.
- Sesame Oil – Adds a rich, nutty aroma.
- Sugar – Balances the acidity.
- Garlic – Bold and aromatic.
- Gochugaru (Korean Red Chili Flakes): Gochugaru Provides mild heat with a smoky-sweet flavor. If you can’t find this, use a gochugaru substitute like red pepper flakes, paprika, or cayenne. Do a taste test before drizzling it onto the cucumbers.
- Sesame Seeds – Toasted for extra crunch and flavor.
Kitchen tools
- Sharp Knife: Essential for making the spiral-cut cucumbers.
- Chopsticks: Used to stop the knife from slicing all the way through.
How to Cut a Cucumber Into Spirals
- Wash and dry mini cucumbers.
- Secure the cucumber between 2 chopsticks. This will prevent you from cutting through the cucumber.
- Make thin, straight cuts (90-degree angle), about 2 mm apart.
- Flip the cucumber over (with the unsliced surface facing you) and make thin diagonal slices (45-degree angle).
How to Make Spicy Asian Cucumber Salad
- Place the spiral cucumber into a bowl. Add salt to the cucumbers. Use your hands to distribute the salt. Place it in the refrigerator for 15 minutes.
- In the meantime, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, sugar, garlic, sesame seeds, and gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes) in a small bowl.
- Rinse the cucumbers under cold tap water for 2-3 times and pat them dry with a paper towel.
- Combine the cucumbers with the dressing right before serving. Serve cold.
Tips for Success
✔ Use the Right Cucumbers – Mini cucumbers or English cucumbers work best.
✔ Don’t Skip Salting – This step keeps the cucumbers crunchy and prevents a watery salad.
✔ Chill Before Serving – Letting the salad sit in the fridge helps the flavors meld together.
✔ Add Extra Crunch – Top with crushed peanuts, fried shallots, or more sesame seeds.
How to Store Leftovers
Refrigerate: Keep in an airtight container for up to 2-3 days.
💡 Pro Tip: Store the cucumbers and dressing separately to prevent sogginess.
Do Not Freeze: Cucumbers lose their crunch when frozen.
What to Serve it With
This salad pairs perfectly with Korean BBQ or grilled meats like Bulgogi (Korean Marinated Beef), Dak Galbi (Spicy Grilled Chicken), Samgyeopsal (Pork Belly)
Or enjoy it with steamed rice, spam fried rice, or stir-fried basil tofu for a delicious meal!
RECIPE
Spiral Cucumber Salad: Korean Style
Ingredients
- 4 mini cucumbers
- 1 tablespoon salt (to remove liquid from cucumber)
Spicy Asian Salad Dressing
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon sugar (or to taste)
- 2-3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
- 1 tablespoon gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes) (or to taste)
Instructions
How to Cut Spiral Cucumbers
- Wash and dry mini cucumbers.
- Secure the cucumber between 2 chopsticks. This will prevent you from cutting through the cucumber.
- Make thin straight cuts (90 degree angle), about 2 mm slices.
- Flip the cucumber over (with the unsliced surface facing you), make thin diagonal slices (45 degree angle).
How to Make Asian Cucumber Salad
- Place the spiral cucumber into a bowl and repeat with the remaining cucumbers. Add salt to the cucumbers. Use your hands to gently distribute the salt. Place it in the refrigerator for 15 minutes.
- In the meantime, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil sugar, garlic, sesame seeds, and gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes).
- Rinse the cucumbers under cold tap water 2-3 times and pat them dry with a paper towel.
- Combine the cucumbers with the dressing right before serving. Serve cold.
Great recipe! Question is the nutritional facts based on one cucumber serving?
Yes, the nutritional facts is for 1 serving (each serving is about 2 cucumbers.)
Quick and easy recipe that was a hit at brunch. It was super refreshing and flavorful. Thank you for showing us the 2 chopsticks method it made cutting the cucumber way easier. People raved about the spiral.
I had 3 packages of leftover cucumbers that needed used up , As per usual when not knowing what to do I searched the Web. I came across this Korean style recipe and couldn’t say no. The only minor adjustments I made was:
1. Making it 5 servings 2. Adding some chilies 3. Using a 3rd the amount Sweetner and 4. Using the full 3 Tb of Gochugaru – This is how to eat cucumbers deliciously !