Smashed Cucumber Salad (Pai Huang Gua)
Local name: 拍黄瓜
In short: Cucumbers smashed into craggy pieces and tossed with garlic, black vinegar, soy sauce and chili oil for a cool, crunchy 10-minute salad. It takes about 15 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 0 min
- Resting
- 15 min
- Total
- 15 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 70 kcal
Pai huang gua, smashed cucumber salad, is a cold dish served all over China, especially in summer and alongside hot, rich food. Hitting the cucumber with the flat of a knife splits it into rough chunks with craggy edges that soak up dressing far better than neat slices. Salting draws out water, so the salad stays crunchy rather than watery. The dressing is garlicky, tangy and a little spicy.
Instructions
- Trim the ends from the cucumbers. Lay them on a board and smash each lengthwise with the flat side of a cleaver or a rolling pin until they split open. Cut them into bite-size pieces about 3 cm (1 in) long.
- Toss the cucumber with the salt and leave it in a colander for 10 to 15 minutes. Pour away the liquid that drains out, and pat the pieces dry.
- Stir the garlic, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, sesame oil and chili oil together in a bowl until the sugar dissolves.
- Toss the cucumber with the dressing. Scatter the sesame seeds and cilantro over the top and serve right away, or chill for 20 minutes first.
Tips
- Use thin-skinned cucumbers with few seeds. If the skin is thick or bitter, peel off alternating stripes. Cut seedy centers away from large cucumbers.
- Mix the salad shortly before serving. After an hour the cucumbers release more water and lose their crunch.
Questions and answers
Why smash the cucumber instead of slicing it?
Smashing creates rough, irregular surfaces that grip the dressing, while smooth slices let it slide off. It also releases more cucumber flavor.
How long does smashed cucumber salad keep?
It is best eaten within an hour of dressing. You can smash and salt the cucumbers a few hours ahead and add the dressing at the last minute.
Can I make it without chili oil?
Yes. Leave it out for a mild salad, or add a pinch of chili flakes instead. The garlic and vinegar still give it plenty of flavor.
How long does it take to make Smashed Cucumber Salad (Pai Huang Gua)?
About 15 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 0 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Smashed Cucumber Salad (Pai Huang Gua)?
About 70 kcal per serving, with 1 g of protein, 6 g of carbohydrates and 4 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 70 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 1 g |
| Carbohydrates | 6 g |
| Fat | 4 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 520 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
