The Best Yumblink Pancakes recipe you will fall in love with. Full of tips and tricks to help you make the best pancakes.
Hey, food lovers! These spicy cucumbers are the best thing to happen to your taste buds, and I am OBSESSED! I’ve been making these babies for a while, and I have to say, they’re just that good. After seeing @okonomikitchen’s recipe, I couldn’t resist, but once I saw @kwokspots add chilli crisps… honey, my life was changed. These cucumbers are spicy, tangy, and just the right amount of addictive! Ready to take your cucumbers to a whole new level? Let’s dive in!
Method
Prepare the Cucumbers
To begin, take your cucumbers and place chopsticks (or any other object like thick wooden sticks) on either side of them. This is crucial because it prevents the knife from cutting all the way through the cucumbers, allowing you to create beautiful diagonal cuts without splitting them in half. Using a sharp knife, make small, deep diagonal cuts along the length of the cucumbers, as close to the chopsticks as possible. Flip the cucumbers and repeat the process on the other side. This technique will give the cucumbers that characteristic swiggly, looped snake-like effect. Once you’ve finished cutting, you can either leave the cucumbers whole or cut them into smaller pieces for easy serving.
Salt the Cucumbers
Now, it’s time to add salt to the cucumbers. Place the cut cucumbers into a bowl and sprinkle them generously with salt. This step is essential because the salt draws out the water from the cucumbers, making them extra crunchy and helping them absorb all the delicious flavors later on. Let the cucumbers sit for about 5-10 minutes, allowing the salt to work its magic. You’ll notice the cucumbers will start to release moisture, which is exactly what we want to happen.
Rinse and Drain
After the cucumbers have rested with the salt for the designated time, it’s time to rinse them off. Take the cucumbers and rinse them under cold water to wash away the salt. This step is important to ensure your cucumbers aren’t too salty and maintain their refreshing crunch. After rinsing, place the cucumbers in a colander to drain off any excess water. You want them to be dry before moving on to the next step so that the seasonings can really stick to them.
Add the Sauce
Once the cucumbers are drained and ready, it’s time to bring in the flavor! In a bowl, combine your rice vinegar, light soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, garlic paste, and chilli crisp. Stir everything together so that all the ingredients are well-mixed. Now, pour this flavorful sauce over your cucumbers. Toss the cucumbers gently, making sure they’re fully coated in the sauce. The longer you toss, the more the cucumbers will absorb the flavors, so take your time to ensure they’re evenly coated.
Let it Marinate
After mixing, it’s time to let the cucumbers marinate so all the delicious flavors can meld together. Allow the cucumbers to sit for at least 30 minutes. If you have time, refrigerate them during this period to make them extra cold and refreshing. The marination process is key to getting the perfect balance of spicy, tangy, and savory in every bite.
Serve and Enjoy
Once the cucumbers have marinated to perfection, they’re ready to be served! You can enjoy them as is, or for an extra kick, drizzle a little bit of chilli oil on top. These cucumbers are perfect for snacking or serving as a side dish to complement your favorite meal. They’re the ultimate tangy, spicy treat that’s sure to satisfy your cravings.
Necessary Tools
- Knife
- Chopsticks (or anything you can use to keep the cucumber from getting cut all the way through)
- Bowl for marinating
- Cutting board
Spicy Addictive Cucumbers
Cuisine: Chinese, Japanese, KoreanDifficulty: EasyServings
4
servingsPrep time
10
minutesCooking timeminutes
Total time
10
minutesIngredients
6-10 Persian or baby cucumbers
2 tbsp rice vinegar (or Chinese black vinegar if you’re out)
1/2 – 1 tbsp chilli crisp
1 tbsp light soy sauce
1/2 tbsp sesame oil
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp garlic paste
Sesame seeds
Chilli flakes
Chilli oil (optional)
1 tsp salt
Water
Directions
- Prepare the cucumbers Take your cucumbers and place chopsticks on either side. Using a knife, make small diagonal cuts, trying to go as deep as possible without cutting them all the way through. The chopsticks will stop you from slicing through completely! Turn them over and repeat with more diagonal cuts.
- Salt the cucumbers Place the cucumbers in a bowl, sprinkle generously with salt, and let them sit for about 5-10 minutes to draw out the water. This is the secret to making them extra crunchy and flavorful!
- Rinse and drain After they’ve sat for a bit, rinse them with water to wash away the salt and drain them well.
- Add the sauce Pour in your rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, garlic paste, and chilli crisp. Toss everything together until the cucumbers are well-coated.
- Let it marinate Let the cucumbers marinate for at least 30 minutes, preferably in the fridge, so they get nice and cold. This is when the flavors really come together.
- Serve and enjoy Once they’re done marinating, you can enjoy them as-is or drizzle a little chilli oil on top if you like a bit more heat. Serve them as a snack or a side dish!
Notes
- Cutting the cucumbers Be careful when making those diagonal cuts. Go slow, so you don’t cut through the cucumber entirely. The chopsticks are there to guide you, but a little extra care never hurts.
- Salting the cucumbers Let them sit long enough to draw out water. If you don’t, they might end up a bit soggy and not as crunchy.
- Adjust the flavors Feel free to play around with the seasonings! If you want them more tangy, add more vinegar. If you like it spicier, throw in extra chilli flakes or a bit of gochugaru.
Serving Suggestions
- These spicy cucumbers are perfect as a side dish for grilled meats or fried rice.
- Serve them with some cold noodles for a fresh, zesty kick.
- They make an awesome addition to any BBQ or picnic spread.
Fun Fact
Did you know cucumbers are 95% water? This makes them super hydrating and refreshing, which is why they pair so well with spicy seasonings they balance out the heat!
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a quick, addictive snack or side dish that packs a punch, these spicy cucumbers are your new best friend. They’re crispy, tangy, and just the right level of spicy. Plus, they’re super easy to make, and you can customize them to your taste. Try them out trust me, you’ll be hooked!
