Cucumber Shaker with Vinegar (Printable Version)

Crisp cucumber salad tossed with rice vinegar, sesame oil, and chili for a refreshing, vibrant side.

# Ingredient List:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 medium cucumbers, chilled
02 - 2 spring onions, finely sliced

→ Seasonings and Umami

03 - 1 ½ teaspoons fine sea salt
04 - 2 teaspoons sugar
05 - 1 tablespoon unseasoned rice vinegar
06 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
07 - 1 teaspoon MSG (monosodium glutamate)
08 - ½ teaspoon soy sauce (gluten-free if necessary)
09 - 1 small garlic clove, finely minced
10 - ¼ teaspoon white pepper (optional)
11 - 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds, plus extra for garnish
12 - 1 to 2 teaspoons chili crisp or chili oil (optional, to taste)

# Directions:

01 - Wash and dry cucumbers. Trim ends, slice each in half lengthwise, then gently smash halves with the flat side of a chef’s knife or rolling pin until they crack open. Cut into bite-sized pieces and place in a large bowl.
02 - Sprinkle salt and sugar over cucumbers. Toss thoroughly and let rest for 5 minutes to release excess moisture.
03 - Carefully drain any liquid released from cucumbers.
04 - Add rice vinegar, sesame oil, MSG, soy sauce, garlic, white pepper if used, and sesame seeds. Toss until evenly coated.
05 - Incorporate chili crisp or chili oil if desired for extra heat and umami depth.
06 - Gently fold in the sliced spring onions to integrate freshness.
07 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve immediately, or chill for 10 minutes to enhance crunch.
08 - Sprinkle additional toasted sesame seeds on top before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It's ready in 10 minutes but tastes like you fussed over it all day.
  • That MSG hit delivers a savory depth that makes people ask what your secret ingredient is.
  • Crisp, tangy, and refreshing—it cuts through rich meals like nothing else.
02 -
  • Don't skip the draining step—it's the difference between a crisp salad and a mushy disappointment.
  • MSG gets unfairly blamed for things it doesn't do, but what it actually does is amplify the natural flavors already in the dish, making everything taste more like itself.
03 -
  • Toast your own sesame seeds in a dry pan for 2 minutes if you have them raw—it transforms them from nearly flavorless to deeply nutty.
  • MSG isn't a secret ingredient hiding in the background; it's a seasoning like salt that deserves to be measured and intentional, just like you would with anything else.
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