Sunomono Japanese cucumber salad is fresh, crisp, and light. It is a delicious and easy side dish or an appetizer.
You might also enjoy this classic cucumber and onion salad if you enjoy cucumber salads.

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How to Make Sunomono Japanese Cucumber Salad
Cucumbers: This recipe is best made with Japanese cucumbers; however, you can use Persian or English cucumbers. They have thin skins and tiny seeds.
Rice vinegar: Rice vinegar is less acidic and milder than white distilled vinegar, allowing the other flavors to shine.
Sugar: Sugar (white granulated) adds a sweetness that works perfectly with the sour and salt in the dressing.
Salt: Adding salt to the salad dressing helps to balance all the flavors.
Fresh ginger: Ginger adds a peppery, spicy flavor to this recipe.
Sesame seeds: Sesame seeds add a sweet and nutty taste with a satisfying crunch.
Soy sauce: Soy sauce provides salt, sweet, and savory flavor.

Recipe Ingredients
Two Japanese Cucumbers or Persian cucumbers thinly sliced
1/3 cup rice vinegar
Four teaspoons sugar
One teaspoon salt
Two slices of fresh ginger
Two teaspoons sesame seeds
1/2 teaspoon soy sauce or light soy sauce (Optional)
Recipe Supplies
Cutting board
Knife
Mixing bowls
Whisk
Measuring cups and spoons
Sunomono Cucumber Salad Cooking Steps
Step 1. Slice Cucumbers
If you use Japanese, Persian, or English cucumbers, you will not need to peel your cucumbers.
However, if you use garden cucumbers, peel them and remove the seeds.
The best way to thinly slice your cucumbers is with a mandoline. However, you can use a knife and cutting board if you do not have a mandoline.
Place sliced cucumbers in a medium mixing bowl.

Step 2. Sunomono Japanese Cucumber Salad Dressing
Add the dressing ingredients (rice vinegar, sugar, and salt) to a small mixing bowl and whisk until the sugar and salt dissolve.
Note: If you use soy sauce, then omit the salt. Also, note that the salad will look darker.
When I serve Sunomono cucumber salad, I serve soy sauce on the side.

Step 3. Mix Salad and Dressing
When the dressing is ready, pour it over the sliced cucumbers and toss.

Step 4. Ginger Slices
Next, peel and slice fresh ginger for some extra flavor. Place the slices in the cucumber mixture and toss. Allow to marinate for at least one hour in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Step 5. Garnish Sunomono Japanese Cucumber Salad With Sesame Seeds
To serve, remove the ginger slices and top with sesame seeds.


Sunomono Cucumber Salad Recipe
Equipment
- Mandoline
- Slicing knife
- Whisk
Ingredients
- 2 Cucumbers (Japanese, Persian, or English)
- ⅓ cup rice vinegar
- 4 teaspoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 Fresh ginger root
Instructions
- Thinly slice cucumber and place in a medium mixing bowl.
- Add the dressing ingredients (rice vinegar, sugar, and salt) to a small mixing bowl and whisk until the sugar and salt dissolve.
- When the dressing is ready, pour it over the sliced cucumbers and toss.
- Next, peel and slice fresh ginger for some extra flavor. Place the slices in the cucumber mixture and toss. Allow to marinate for at least one hour in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- To serve, remove the ginger slices and top with sesame seeds.
Notes
Nutrition
This simple salad looks amazing, served in dark or wooden bowls with chopsticks.

See you soon,
Kippi
Ps. This post was shared on Between Naps on The Porch.
Esmé Slabbert
Friday 12th of January 2024
Thanks for sharing this Kippi, I have seen this before but never a tested recipe, so now I have yours I will have to try it. I visited you via The Country Cook: SOUTHERN CHICKEN POT PIE – WEEKEND POTLUCK #614 My links: Roasted Veggie Extravaganza and Jackfruit BBQ Dip We will be honored if you share your links with us at SeniorSalonPitStop. Link under BLOGGING.
Patrick
Tuesday 15th of August 2023
Great cucumber salad recipe 👍
Kippi
Thursday 17th of August 2023
@Patrick, thank you.