Active Time:15 minsTotal Time:15 minsServings:4Yield:4 servings, about 1 cup eachJump to Nutrition Facts
Active Time:15 minsTotal Time:15 minsServings:4Yield:4 servings, about 1 cup each
Active Time:15 mins
Active Time:
15 mins
Total Time:15 mins
Total Time:
Servings:4
Servings:
4
Yield:4 servings, about 1 cup each
Yield:
4 servings, about 1 cup each
Jump to Nutrition Facts
Jump to recipe
Got cucumbers?Sunomono (Japanese Cucumber Salad)is a delicious way to savor them. This recipe features a classic rice-vinegar-based dressing that’s just a little bit sweet and savory thanks to a few dashes of salt and sugar. We love pairing thissimple saladwith grilled or roasted meat or tofu to cleanse the palate. This salad is also refreshing, thanks to the hydrating cucumbers. For the recipe as well as tips and general advice for making this tasty dish, read on below.
How to Make Japanese Cucumber Salad
1. Peel and Slice the Cucumber
2. Remove the Seeds
Cucumber seeds hold water and can taste bitter. To remove the seeds, halve the cucumber lengthwise and scoop them out with a spoon or melon baller.
3. Squeeze Out Extra Moisture
Some recipes call for salting the cucumbers to draw out the moisture, but we found that squeezing them in paper towels removed enough excess water without adding additional sodium.
4. Add More Flavor
Toasted sesame seeds provide the perfect subtle, nutty crunch to the salad. While we use white sesame seeds here, black will work too.
Variations to Try
Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen
These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too!
Nutrition Notes
Crystal Hughes
Cook Mode(Keep screen awake)Ingredients2 medium cucumbers, or 1 large English cucumber¼cuprice vinegar1teaspoonsugar¼teaspoonsalt2 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted (see Tip)
Cook Mode(Keep screen awake)
Ingredients
2 medium cucumbers, or 1 large English cucumber
¼cuprice vinegar
1teaspoonsugar
¼teaspoonsalt
2 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted (see Tip)
Directions
Peel cucumbers to leave alternating green stripes. Slice the cucumbers in half lengthwise; scrape the seeds out with a spoon. Using a sharp knife or wide vegetable peeler, cut into very thin slices. Place in a double layer of paper towels and squeeze gently to remove any excess moisture.
Combine vinegar, sugar and salt in a medium bowl, stirring to dissolve. Add the cucumbers and sesame seeds; toss well to combine. Serve immediately.
Frequently Asked QuestionsJapanese cucumbers are long, like English cucumbers, but often more slender with smoother, thin skin. They have a mild, sweet flavor and very few seeds. They’re crisp and refreshing and are often used in sushi and rice bowls too.In Japan, sunomono generally refers to a “vinegared dish.” It’s often a salad made with a variety of ingredients, but often cucumbers. It’s typically served as a side dish or appetizer, a refreshing and light salad traditionally made with seaweed with a sweet, tangy dressing.Yes! They’re nutritious too! Add them to a smoothie or puree with a salad dressing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Japanese cucumbers are long, like English cucumbers, but often more slender with smoother, thin skin. They have a mild, sweet flavor and very few seeds. They’re crisp and refreshing and are often used in sushi and rice bowls too.
In Japan, sunomono generally refers to a “vinegared dish.” It’s often a salad made with a variety of ingredients, but often cucumbers. It’s typically served as a side dish or appetizer, a refreshing and light salad traditionally made with seaweed with a sweet, tangy dressing.
Yes! They’re nutritious too! Add them to a smoothie or puree with a salad dressing.
EatingWell Magazine, June/July 2005; updated October 2022
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Nutrition Facts(per serving)46Calories2gFat4gCarbs1gProtein
Nutrition Facts(per serving)
- Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.
