Being full of flavor, Din Tai Fung Cucumber recipe is a great replica of Din Tai Fung. You can try this appetizer for any special occasion which contains marinated cucumber dizzled with chili oil.
Din Tai Fung Cucumber being a simple dish it contains sliced marinated cucumber in a tasty sweet. This easy to prepare dish just requires a single bowl and few minutes to prepare.
What is a Din Tai Fung cucumber salad?
Din Tai Fung is a famous appetizer which is served at Din tai Fung restaurant. It contains sliced cucumber marinated in a flavorful mixture which include garlic, soy sauce, vinegar and sesame oil.
It is a light and refreshing appetizer which is served at popular Taiwanese restraint Din Tai Fung. It is popular for its spicier taste, well-balanced flavor and crunchy texture.
What Type of Cucumber Should You Use For the Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad?
I would suggest you to use these two types of cucumber:
- Persian cucumber:- Unlike normal cucumbers, the Persian cucumber provides a consistent and crunchy satisfying bite. Being less watery, they absorb the dressing well without getting soggy which keep its vibrant flavors.
- English Cucumber:- You can consider English cucumber as a best alternative of Persian cucumber. They have almost similar qualities like Persian cucumber but they are slightly larger in size.
Should I peel the cucumber?
Whether you should peel the cucumber or not depends upon once preference and other factor:-
Reason to peel the cucumber:-
- Texture: If you want a smooth texture you can peel it.
- Presentation: Removing the peel makes the cucumber more appealing and visualizing.
- Bitter taste: If your cucumbers are older, then I would suggest you to peel it to avoid the bitterness.
Reason to not peel the cucumber:-
- Nutrients: Avoid peeling the cucumber will help you get vitamins and fibers.
- Flavor: If you want a slightly earthy flavor you can avoid peeling the cucumber.
- Convenience: It will save your time and effort it you don’t peel the cucumber.
Can I make cucumber salad ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the cucumber salad ahead of time. Here are some reason why:-
- Enhanced flavor: By marinating the cucumbers in the dressing help them to absorb tangy and flavorful splash makes each bite full of flavor.
- Crunchy texture: The cucumbers may get a bit softer after pre-marinating, but their crunchy texture is still preserved.
- Convenience: Having the salad ready ahead of time will save a lot of time.
What to Serve with Chilled Cucumber Salad
- Vegetables: You can serve roasted vegetables, green beans, and sautéed spinach they all provide a refreshing contrast to the dish.
- Grilled fish or chicken: You can also include grilled fish or chicken with cucumber salad.
- Tofu dishes: You can serve tofu dishes like mapo tofu or tofu stir-fries work well with cucumber salad.
- Fried rice: The fried rice also works well with cucumber salad.
Din Tai Fung Cucumber Recipe Tips
- Make sure to use English or Persian cucumbers because they have fewer seeds and thinner skin as compared to regular cucumbers.
- You can adjust the dressing ingredients according to your taste. For a strong punch, use more garlic; for a sharper vinegar taste, make sure to use less sugar.
- Make sure to add green onions. They balances the tangy sauce with a crisp and fresh bite.
- For richer taste, let the salad to marinate for around 2 hours; preferable overnight. For optimal refreshment make sure to serve it chilled.
- You can include tamari rather than soy sauce for a gluten-free option. For a lighter version, you can skip red chili flakes and chili oil.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Din Tai Fung Cucumber is a satisfying and delightful dish known for it’s ease of preparation and bold flavors.
With its simple ingredients, optional garnishes and customizable dressing you can prepare it for your own taste. So whether you are looking for a light meal or a side-dish make sure to try this cucumber salad recipe.
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Din Tai Fung Cucumber Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound PersianCucum
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoon white sugar granulated
- 2 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon lightsoy-sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesameoil
- 1 teaspoon garlic minced
- 1/2 teaspoon redpepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon chili oil
- 1 tablespoon green onion sliced
- Fresh Cilantro and bell pepper forgarnish
Instructions
- First of all, dry and wash the cucumbers. Slicethem into circles with a thickness of around ½ inch.
- Place the cucumber pieces in a large bowl andsprinkle the salt on it. For an even coat, toss. Allow it to sit for 15-20 minutes.
- Now, rinse the slated cucumber under cold waterto remove the excess salt. Drian it and use paper towels to pat dry.
- In a small bowl, mix soy sauce, rice vinegar,sugar, garlic, red pepper flakes , sesame oil and chili oil until wellcombined.
- Transfer the dried cucumber to a sized bowl and cover them with dressing. To ensure evencoating toss well. For deeper flavor, cover the bowl and marinate the dish in the refrigerator for around 2 hours or overnight.
- Before serving it, you can garnish the saladwith sliced green onion. For an extra flavor, you can also include choppedcilantro and chili peppers.