Japanese Cucumber Salad

The Japanese Cucumber Salad, also known as Sunomono, is a bright and refreshing dish that brings the cooling crunch of cucumber together with a perfectly balanced dressing of rice vinegar, soy sauce, and a touch of sweetness. Topped with toasted sesame seeds and optionally wakame or seafood, it’s a dish that complements almost any Japanese meal beautifully.

This salad is not only effortless to prepare but also packed with health benefits. Whether you serve it as an appetizer, a side dish for grilled fish, or part of a sushi night, it delivers crisp textures and zingy flavors in every bite. Light, low in calories, and vegan-friendly, it’s the kind of dish you’ll find yourself making on repeat all summer long.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 2 Japanese cucumbers (or Persian cucumbers)

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 3 tablespoons rice vinegar

• 1 tablespoon sugar

• 1 teaspoon soy sauce

• 1 teaspoon sesame oil

• 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds

• Optional: wakame seaweed (rehydrated), cooked shrimp, or kani (imitation crab meat)

Directions:

1. Thinly slice the cucumbers into rounds using a mandoline or sharp knife.

2. Place the cucumber slices in a bowl, sprinkle with salt, and let sit for 10 minutes.

3. After resting, squeeze out excess moisture from the cucumbers.

4. In a separate bowl, combine rice vinegar, sugar, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Stir until sugar dissolves.

5. Add cucumbers to the dressing and toss to coat evenly.

6. Let the salad chill in the fridge for 15–20 minutes for flavors to meld.

7. Sprinkle with sesame seeds before serving. Optional: Top with wakame, shrimp, or kani for variation.

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Chilling Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 25 minutes
Kcal: 45 kcal | Servings: 2 servings

Japanese cuisine is known for its elegant simplicity, vibrant flavors, and healthful ingredients. Among its many celebrated dishes is Sunomono, a delicate cucumber salad that exemplifies the balance and beauty of Japanese cooking. Sunomono, often served as a side dish or appetizer, showcases the subtle sweet-tangy flavor of rice vinegar, the gentle crunch of thinly sliced cucumbers, and the aromatic hint of sesame. It’s a small dish with big impact cooling, refreshing, and incredibly easy to prepare.

Whether you’re planning a sushi dinner at home, looking for a palate cleanser, or simply want a healthy snack with bold flavor, Japanese cucumber salad delivers. It is quick to make, requires minimal ingredients, and adapts easily to different dietary needs. Let’s explore everything there is to know about this traditional Japanese dish and why it deserves a place in your regular meal rotation.

What is Sunomono?

The word Sunomono (酢の物) comes from the Japanese word “su” (酢), meaning vinegar, and “mono” (物), meaning thing or dish. As the name suggests, sunomono is any dish that is vinegar-based. The most popular and widely recognized version features thinly sliced cucumbers marinated in a seasoned vinegar dressing, often with sugar, soy sauce, and sesame oil.

While cucumber is the most common base, sunomono can also be made with wakame seaweed, octopus (tako), shrimp, or crab. This versatility allows it to fit beautifully into any course whether part of a bento box, a side to grilled fish, or a component of a sushi spread.

Cultural Significance in Japanese Cuisine

In traditional Japanese meals, balance is key not only in flavor and texture but also in temperature, color, and nutrition. Sunomono fulfills the role of a cooling, acidic dish that helps contrast and balance richer or heavier items like tempura or grilled meats.

The light acidity of the vinegar dressing acts as a palate cleanser, refreshing the taste buds between bites of more intense foods. Its visual appeal—glossy green cucumber slices with sesame seeds or strands of wakame also contributes to the aesthetic harmony of a Japanese meal, where food presentation is just as important as taste.

Health Benefits of Japanese Cucumber Salad

Sunomono is not only delicious but also incredibly good for you. Here are some of its top health benefits:

• Low in Calories: A typical serving of Japanese cucumber salad has fewer than 50 calories, making it an excellent choice for those watching their caloric intake.
• Hydrating and Refreshing: Cucumbers are over 95% water, helping you stay hydrated, especially in warm weather.
• Rich in Antioxidants: Cucumbers contain antioxidants like beta-carotene and flavonoids, which may help combat inflammation and protect cells.
• Digestive Aid: The vinegar dressing helps stimulate digestion and balance gut bacteria. The light fermentation effect from rice vinegar can contribute to a healthy digestive tract.
• Supports Weight Loss: Its low-calorie, high-water content makes sunomono a satisfying, guilt-free snack or side dish.
• Heart Healthy: Sesame seeds and sesame oil provide healthy fats, including omega-6 fatty acids, which are good for cardiovascular health in moderation.

Why This Recipe Works

The secret to great sunomono lies in balancing its key components: acidity, sweetness, saltiness, and umami. This cucumber salad achieves this delicate balance with just a handful of pantry-friendly ingredients rice vinegar for the sour punch, sugar for sweetness, soy sauce for a savory depth, and sesame oil for a nutty aroma.

The use of Japanese or Persian cucumbers is preferred due to their thin skin and minimal seeds. These varieties remain crisp and tender when marinated. The process of lightly salting and squeezing the cucumbers before adding them to the dressing helps remove excess moisture, resulting in a more concentrated flavor and satisfying crunch.

Even better, this dish can be made in advance. A short rest in the fridge not only chills the salad for a refreshing bite but also allows the flavors to develop more fully.

Variations and Add-Ons

Although the classic sunomono is made with just cucumbers, the base is incredibly versatile. Here are some common and creative additions:

• Wakame Seaweed: Adds a chewy texture and briny flavor.
• Cooked Shrimp: For protein and a seafood twist, peeled shrimp complements the dressing beautifully.
• Imitation Crab (Kani): Adds sweetness and color, often seen in sushi restaurants.
• Octopus (Tako): Thin slices of cooked octopus turn this into a more substantial appetizer.
• Chili Flakes: For a subtle heat, a pinch of chili flakes or shichimi togarashi can elevate the flavor.

For a vegan or vegetarian version, simply stick to the cucumber and seaweed combination.

When to Serve Sunomono

This dish is wonderfully flexible and can be served in a variety of ways:

• As a Side Dish: Pair it with grilled fish, rice, or miso soup for a complete Japanese meal.
• Appetizer Course: Its light flavor makes it ideal as a starter for multi-course meals.
• Potlucks and Parties: Serve it chilled in small cups or bowls for an elegant and refreshing finger food option.
• Bento Boxes: It makes a great cold side dish for packed lunches.

It’s especially popular in warmer months due to its cooling and hydrating properties. However, sunomono can be enjoyed year-round as a nutritious way to bring brightness to your plate.

Storing and Meal Prep Tips

Sunomono stores well in the refrigerator for up to two days. In fact, it often tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to meld. Be sure to keep it chilled in an airtight container. If using seafood, consume it within 24 hours to ensure freshness.

This makes it ideal for meal prepping. You can prepare a larger batch at the start of the week and enjoy small portions throughout the day either as a light snack, side, or salad addition.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Fast and Easy: No cooking involved. Everything comes together in under 10 minutes.
• Budget-Friendly: Made with inexpensive, common ingredients.
• Customizable: Works with a range of proteins or vegetables.
• Healthy and Light: Perfect for clean eating or low-calorie diets.
• Aesthetic Appeal: Visually pleasing with vibrant green hues and sesame topping.
• Naturally Gluten-Free and Vegan: Just check your soy sauce if you’re gluten-sensitive.

Serving Suggestions

Pair your Japanese cucumber salad with:

• Grilled Miso Salmon
• Chicken Teriyaki and Steamed Rice
• Cold Soba Noodles
• Sushi or Sashimi Platters
• Miso Soup and Pickled Vegetables

Serve it in small bowls garnished with extra sesame seeds or thinly sliced scallions for a restaurant-quality finish.

Conclusion: A Must-Have in Your Japanese Recipe Collection

Japanese cucumber salad, or sunomono, is a deceptively simple dish that offers a world of flavor and nourishment. With its crisp texture, tangy-sweet profile, and quick prep time, it brings elegance and balance to any meal. Whether you’re cooking a full Japanese dinner or looking for a refreshing side to complement your everyday meals, sunomono is a timeless favorite that delivers.

This dish is proof that sometimes, less really is more. Minimal ingredients, minimal effort but maximum freshness, flavor, and satisfaction. Add it to your weekly rotation, and you’ll find countless reasons to return to it again and again.