Japanese Cucumber Salad

This is a delicately crunchy, deliciously tangy salad with Japanese-inspired flavors.

I’m normally not a fan of cucumbers, but when they’re so thinly sliced and lovingly dressed, I will happily eat them anytime!

It’s a lovely side for a tofu dish or a soba noodle salad, or you could eat it as a refreshing afternoon snack.


Ingredients

  • 1 large or 6 small cucumbers
  • 1 Tbsp salt
  • 3-4 green onions
  • 4 Tbsp rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
  • 1 Tbsp toasted sesame oil
  • A good sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds
  • 1 Tbsp coconut sugar (optional)

Directions

In a large bowl, measure out the salt. Thinly slice the cucumbers using a mandolin or sharp knife, then as you’re cutting them, toss the slices in with the salt so they start to soften while you cut the rest.

Once the cucumbers are all sliced and tossed in the salt, they should start to release water. After a few minutes, drain the water and briefly rinse the cucumbers so they’re not too salty.

Add the green onions, vinegar, toasted sesame oil, and coconut sugar (if using), and mix well to coat the cucumbers. Let it sit for a few more minutes if you have time, since it will give the cucumbers a really nice, classic, soft-yet-crunchy texture.

Serve your Japanese cucumber salad sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds. Enjoy! ❤️


Ingredients

Today’s inspiration comes from Sister Chan Duc at Plum Village, who says:

“Hope is not in the future. Hope is in the here and now.”

By really being in the present moment and enjoying our lives fully, we also take care of everyone around us and ensure the brightest future for ourselves and our planet.

Start with peace and love in your own heart, and there will be more peace and love in the world.

I hope you can plant and water some seeds of joy in yourself today. Do more of what makes you happy!

Chef Maitri Carmichael brings a creative and peaceful energy to every plate. She grew up in Toronto with a British Grandma and an Italian Nonna who showed their love through food, then she moved to the San Francisco Bay Area for 15 years, spending her free time at community farms and zen kitchens. Originally a scientist and biotech entrepreneur, she graduated from the Vegan Chef School in London (2021) and the Raw Food Culinary Academy in Vancouver (2023), and is now settled in Hawaii.

3 responses to “Japanese Cucumber Salad”

  1. maitricookswithlove Avatar
    maitricookswithlove

    So delicious!

  2. maitricookswithlove Avatar
    maitricookswithlove

    Instagram comment from @nina.h.carmichael: Look delicious 🤤

    1. maitricookswithlove Avatar
      maitricookswithlove

      @nina.h.carmichael Thanks for the inspiration! 😍

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