Modern East Asian Food & Culture

EAST TABLE

Starter Method

Sesame Cucumber Salad

A cold side that clears the palate between heavier dishes — useful for hot pot and BBQ spreads.

Prep
15 min
Cook
0 min
Serves
4

A starter method for the East Table kitchen reference — editorial baseline, not a tested development recipe.

Smashing cucumbers before dressing them opens the flesh to absorb sesame oil and rice vinegar. Salt first, drain, then dress — this prevents a watery bowl.

Ingredients

  • 2 English cucumbers
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil
  • 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
  • Optional: chili crisp, minced garlic

Method

  1. 1Smash cucumbers with the flat side of a knife. Cut into chunks.
  2. 2Salt and rest 10 minutes. Drain excess liquid.
  3. 3Toss with vinegar, sesame oil, and seeds. Serve cold.