• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Christie at Home
  • Asian Recipes
    • By Region
      • Chinese
      • Filipino
      • Indonesian
      • Japanese
      • Korean
      • Malaysian
      • Taiwanese
      • Thai
      • Vietnamese
    • By Course
      • Mains
      • Breakfast
      • Dessert
      • Appetizers/Sides
      • Beverages
      • Snacks
  • Shop
  • Subscribe
  • ABOUT
    • Work with Me
    • Copyright Policy
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Asian Recipes
  • Shop
  • About
  • Newsletter Subscription
  • Work with Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Appetizers/Sides

    Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad

    Last Modified: April 24, 2023 - Published by: christieathome

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad. Crisp cucumbers in a delicious tangy, salty, sweet, delicious dressing with a hint of spice. So easy to make at home!

    Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad

    One of the most popular side dishes served at Din Tai Fung, a famous Taiwanese restaurant. 

    In Canada, the weather is finally approaching and soon summer will be here! I figured why not share this incredibly tasty, refreshing and easy copycat Din Tai Fung cucumber salad. Perfect for a hot summer day when you don't feel like turning on the stove! 

    What is Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad?

    Din Tai Fung is a very popular Taiwanese restaurant chain that has become incredibly popular in North America and originates from Taiwan. It has been given five Michelin star ratings! I love dining at Din Tai Fung for a special occasion.

    In addition, it's also a popular dumpling house that serves all sorts of tasty Taiwanese food, like their delicious soup dumplings or noodle dishes.  Din Tai Fung's cucumber salad is one of their most signature side dishes.

    It's a crunchy Asian cucumber salad that is served chilled. The thick slices of cucumbers are dressed in tangy, savory dressing with a sweet flavor and the right amount of spice. The cucumber pieces are very crunchy because of the salting method which draws out excess moisture. 

    Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad

    Easy Recipe

    This copycat Din Tai Fung Cucumber recipe is so easy to make at home! It only requires 9 ingredients, which is not a lot especially when it comes to cooking Asian food. You're simply slicing the mini cucumbers into thick slices. Then salting them for 20-30 minutes for best results. Meanwhile, combine your dressing.

    Afterwards, rinse the salted cucumbers in cold running water and drying them with a clean paper towel. Finally pour the dressing over the cucumbers mixing them into the sauce to enjoy!  Feel free to serve the cucumbers on top of each other in a shallow dish or serving plate for a nice presentation. 

    Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad

    Ingredients

    You'll need the below simple ingredients for this din tai fung cucumber salad recipe. Please scroll down to recipe card for exact measurements: 

    Note: Most Asian grocery stores will carry these ingredients. You may find some at your select grocery store or online, like on Amazon.  

    • Mini cucumbers aka Persian cucumbers: These types of cucumbers are miniature in size with thin skin and are crunchier.
      • You may substitute with regular cucumbers or English cucumbers that are cut into 1 cm thick pieces.
      • Make sure to source fresh cucumbers with tight dark green vibrant skin. Avoid cucumbers that have wrinkled skin. The right cucumber is very important for this recipe since it's the star ingredient. 
    • Salt: table salt, sea salt or kosher salt will work. The excess salt will help make crunchy cucumbers by drawing out the high water content out through osmosis. The longer you allow the sliced cucumbers to sit in the salt, the crunchier they will be. I recommend letting them sit for 20 minutes. But if you're crunched for time, 10-15 minutes is enough. 

    Mixed Dressing Ingredients: 

    • Garlic: minced garlic is a key ingredient to this recipe! Do not skip on this!
    • Regular soy sauce: Just your all-purpose soy sauce. The label should just simply say "Soy sauce". It shouldn't say "light soy sauce" or "dark soy sauce". You may use low sodium soy sauce.
    • Rice vinegar: or substitute with white vinegar. You may use apple cider vinegar, but please add to taste as it can taste a bit stronger. 
    • Sesame oil: this offers a wonderful nutty taste to this chilled cucumber salad. 
    • Sugar: or substitute with honey. A sweetener helps to balanced out the salted cucumbers. 
    • Rice mirin: This helps to round out the flavors in this crunchy cucumber salad. 
    • Chili oil: I recommend using a Chinese chili oil to compliment the flavors in this Chinese Cucumber salad. However, if you don't have one, feel free to use any chili oil you have at home or that you can find at your local grocery store. 

    How to Make Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad

    Slice cucumbers into 1 cm thick rounds. Transfer to a large bowl.

    Sprinkle salt on top of cucumber slices.

    Massage salt into cucumbers.

    Let this sit for about 20 minutes to draw out excess water.

    Meanwhile, in a small bowl combine Dressing ingredients as listed.

    Rinse the salt off of the cucumbers with cold water. Strain out any excess water.

    Pat cucumbers dry with clean paper towels or a clean kitchen towel. Transfer back into a large clean bowl.

    Pour dressing over cucumbers. Mix well. Enjoy! 

    Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad

    ​Storage

    Store this Asian cucumbers salad in an airtight container in the fridge. It will last up to 3-4 days. Please note the next day the salad will become saltier. 

    FAQ

    ​Here are some frequently asked questions about this delicious recipe:

    Can I use English cucumbers for this Din Tai Fung copycat recipe?

    Yes! 

    May I use gluten free soy sauce for this recipe?

    Yes! I like using the gluten free brand by Kikkoman. 

    Can I substitute with apple cider vinegar?

    Yes, but please add to taste. 

    ​May I omit the sesame oil? I'm allergic.

    Yes, but keep in mind sesame oil gives this dish a wonderful aroma and taste. 

    Other Cucumber recipes you may enjoy!

    • Korean Cucumber Salad
    • Spicy Asian Cucumber Salad
    • Chinese Smacked Cucumber Salad

    Easy Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad

    christieathome
    Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad. Crisp cucumbers in a delicious tangy, salty, sweet, delicious dressing with a hint of spice. One of the most popular side dishes served at Din Tai Fung, a famous Taiwanese restaurant. So easy to make at home!
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Resting Time 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 25 minutes mins
    Course Appetizer, Side Dish
    Cuisine Chinese
    Servings 4
    Calories per serving 67 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 lb mini cucumbers sliced into 1 cm thick pieces
    • 2 teaspoon salt to draw out excess moisture from cucumbers

    Dressing:

    • 2 cloves garlic minced
    • 1.5 tablespoon regular soy sauce not light soy sauce or dark soy sauce
    • 2 tablespoon rice vinegar
    • 2 teaspoon sesame oil toasted kind
    • 2.5 teaspoon white granulated sugar
    • ½ tablespoon mirin
    • ½ tablespoon Chinese chili oil Chinese kind recommended or use any chili oil you enjoy

    Instructions
     

    • Slice cucumbers into 1 cm thick rounds. Transfer to a large bowl. Sprinkle salt on top of sliced cucumbers. Massage salt into cucumbers. Let this sit for about 20 minutes to draw out excess water.
    • Meanwhile, in a small bowl combine Dressing ingredients as listed. Set aside.
    • Rinse the salt off the cucumbers with cold running water. Strain out any excess water. Pat cucumbers dry with clean paper towels. Transfer back into a large clean bowl.
    • Pour dressing over cucumbers. Mix well. Serve & enjoy optionally with more chili oil.
    Enjoyed my recipe?Please leave a 5 star review (be kind)! Tag me on social media @christieathome as I'd love to see your creations!
    Copyright PolicyChristie at Home owns all copyright to her blog content, photos and videos. Usage of any of these copyrighted materials on your website or social media channels is strictly prohibited. If you adapt my recipes, please provide a backlink to my website and re-write in your own words.

    Suggested Equipment & Products

    Cutting Board
    Santoku Knife
    Mixing bowl
    Measuring Set
    Silicone Spatula 3-Piece Set
    Steel Colander
    Nutrition
    Calories: 67kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 1559mg | Potassium: 175mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 82IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 0.5mg
    Course Appetizer, Side Dish
    Cuisine Chinese
    Keyword chinese cucumber salad din tai fung recipe, din tai fung cucumber recipe, din tai fung cucumber salad ingredients, din tai fung cucumber salad recipe, how to make din tai fung cucumber salad

    More Appetizers/Sides

    • Kimchijeon (Kimchi Pancake)
    • Bang Bang Chicken
    • Egg Foo Young
    • Panda Express Chow Mein

    Reader Interactions

    Did you enjoy my recipe? Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Christie

    Christie is an Asian Recipe Blogger sharing delicious recipes that you can make at home! Her goal is to make Asian cooking approachable and less intimidating. With a social media following of over 800k, she has been featured on Buzz Feed Tasty, Food52, The Kitchn and more! Christie's recipes have been made over and over again by her loyal readers.

    More about me →

    Footer

    Follow Me

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Home

    • Home
    • Asian Recipes
    • Shop
    • Privacy Policy
    • Copyright Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up!

    Contact

    • About
    • Work with Me

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2021 Christie at Home