A sweet, tangy, and crunchy Chinese-style cucumber salad made by smashing cucumbers with a mallet and tossing them with garlic, vinegar, sugar, and fermented anchovy sauce.
Smashing the cucumbers instead of cutting them neatly creates rough, uneven surfaces that absorb the seasoning much better.
Make sure to thoroughly drain the liquid released after salting the cucumbers to prevent the seasoning from becoming diluted and to maintain a strong flavor.
Because of its strong sweet and tangy profile, this dish pairs best with rich, heavily seasoned meat dishes like braised pig's trotters rather than plain noodles.
Recommended for 🙋
⭐Those who need a refreshing side dish to brighten the palate when eating rich meat dishes.
⭐Those who want a super simple Chinese-style side dish that can be made in 10 minutes without using any heat.