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This Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad is one of my favorite sides ever. These marinated cucumbers with chili oil go well with just about anything.
What is a Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad?
The Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad is a marinated cucumber dish that is served chilled.
It’s a light and refreshing appetizer that is perfect for hot summer days or as a palate cleanser between heavier dishes.
The original salad is served with a drizzle of sesame and chili oil and topped with the restaurant’s signature fresco chili pepper, giving it a hint of heat.
This guide will help you recreate this dish at home, allowing you to enjoy the flavors of Din Tai Fung without leaving your kitchen.
How to Make a Copycat Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad
Copycat Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 pc Persian Cucumbers Slice into 1/2-inch thick pieces
- 1.5 tbsp Kosher Salt
- 3 tbsp Rice Vinegar
- 2 tbsp Sugar
- 2 tbsp Mirin
- 1 tbsp Sesame Oil
- 3 cloves Garlic Grated or minced.
- 2 tbsp Chili Oil To taste
- 1 pc Chile Pepper Minced but optional
Instructions
- Salting the Cucumbers: Add the sliced cucumbers to a small bowl. Sprinkle with 1 ½ TBSP kosher salt and toss to combine. Let sit for 30 minutes in the refrigerator. After 30 minutes, rinse off the salt mixture and pat the cucumbers dry.
- Making the Dressing: In a small bowl whisk together the rice vinegar, mirin, sugar, sesame oil, garlic and salt. Mix well and set aside.
- Marinating the Cucumbers: Toss the rinsed and dried cucumbers with the dressing and let marinate for a minimum of 4 hours, up to 2 days.
- Serving: When it's time to serve, taste for seasoning, and add additional salt if needed. Drizzle with chili oil and sprinkle with fresno chile and serve chilled.
Notes
- Peeling the Cucumbers: Din Tai Fung serves their cucumber salad with the peel still on, but you can always remove it if you prefer. The peel adds to the presentation and overall texture.
- Making Ahead of Time: This is a recipe that you have to prepare ahead of time to achieve the perfect flavor. Toss the cucumbers in the dressing at least 4 hours before serving, or leave them to marinate for up to 2 days.
- Serving Suggestions: This chilled cucumber salad pairs well with dishes like Kung Pao Brussels Sprouts, Lamb Dumplings in Spicy Ginger Broth, Vegetarian Sushi Rolls, Fried Rice, Sauteed Spinach, and Thai Shrimp Salad.
- Type of Cucumber: For this recipe, Persian Cucumbers are recommended due to their crisp texture and thin skin.
Nutrition
Tips and Tricks
- Peeling the Cucumbers: Din Tai Fung serves their cucumber salad with the peel still on, but you can always remove it if you prefer. The peel adds to the presentation and overall texture.
- Making Ahead of Time: This is a recipe that you have to prepare ahead of time to achieve the perfect flavor. Toss the cucumbers in the dressing at least 4 hours before serving, or leave them to marinate for up to 2 days.
- Serving Suggestions: This chilled cucumber salad pairs well with dishes like Kung Pao Brussels Sprouts, Lamb Dumplings in Spicy Ginger Broth, Vegetarian Sushi Rolls, Fried Rice, Sauteed Spinach, and Thai Shrimp Salad.
- Type of Cucumber: For this recipe, Persian Cucumbers are recommended due to their crisp texture and thin skin.
What goes well with Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad?
The Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad is a versatile dish that pairs well with a variety of Asian-inspired recipes. Here are some suggestions for what to serve with your chilled cucumber salad:
- Kung Pao Brussels Sprouts: These are a spicy and flavorful side dish that will complement the refreshing taste of the cucumber salad.
- Lamb Dumplings in Spicy Ginger Broth: The rich flavors of the lamb and the heat from the ginger broth will be balanced out by the light and crisp cucumber salad.
- Vegetarian Sushi Rolls or Spicy “Tuna” Rolls: Sushi is always a great pairing with cucumber salad. The sushi rolls provide a hearty contrast to the light cucumber salad.
- Fried Rice: This is a classic Asian dish that pairs well with just about anything, including cucumber salad.
- Sauteed Spinach: The earthy flavor of the spinach will complement the tangy and slightly spicy cucumber salad.
- Thai Shrimp Salad: This salad is full of flavor and pairs wonderfully with the cucumber salad, making for a light and refreshing meal.
If you loved this Din Tai Fung cucumber salad recipe, I would appreciate it so much if you would give this recipe a star review!
You should also check our other copycat recipes:
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