Spicy Accordion Cucumber Salad

Name: Spicy Accordion Cucumber Salad with Sesame
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: 4 Persian cucumbers; 1 tbsp salt; 1 green onion, chopped; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tbsp rice vinegar; 1 tbsp soy sauce; 1 tbsp sesame oil; 1 tsp sesame seeds; 1/2 tsp sugar; 1 tsp Korean chili flakes (gochugaru)

This accordion cucumber salad features thinly sliced Persian cucumbers that fan open to absorb a vibrant spicy sesame-soy dressing made with gochugaru, garlic, and rice vinegar. The unique cutting technique creates both visual drama and maximum surface area for flavor absorption.

🌍Asian 🏷️Cucumber salad 🏷️Accordion cucumber 🏷️Spicy cucumber 🏷️Asian salad Korean-inspired

🏷️

🏷️Side dish

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TikTok

Total

20 min

Servings

2

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$20–$33

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok

-0:00

TikTok

Ingredients

4 Persian cucumbers
1 tbsp salt
1 green onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp rice vinegar
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp sesame oil
1 tsp sesame seeds
1/2 tsp sugar
1 tsp Korean chili flakes (gochugaru)optional

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Instructions

1
Trim the ends off the Persian cucumbers.
2
Place a cucumber between two chopsticks on a cutting board. The chopsticks will prevent you from cutting all the way through.
3
Slice the cucumber on a diagonal from one end to the other.
4
Flip the cucumber over and slice it straight across, again using the chopsticks as a guide. This will create the accordion effect.
5
Place the cut cucumbers in a dish and salt them generously. Let them sit for about 10-15 minutes to draw out excess moisture.
6
While the cucumbers are salting, finely chop the green onion and mince the garlic.
7
After the cucumbers have 'sweated' and released water, rinse them thoroughly under cold water to remove the excess salt.
8
Return the rinsed cucumbers to the dish. Add the chopped green onion, minced garlic, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, sesame seeds, sugar, and optional Korean chili flakes.
9
Gently mix everything together, ensuring the cucumbers are well-coated with the dressing.
10
For best results, let the salad marinate for at least 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld before serving.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Use a sharp knife and cut almost through the cucumber (about 80%) so it fans open but stays attached at the base—this maximizes dressing absorption and structural integrity.
Salt the accordion cucumbers lightly and let sit 5–10 minutes before dressing to remove excess moisture; this prevents the salad from becoming watery.
Toast the sesame seeds in a dry pan for 30 seconds before sprinkling to deepen their nutty flavor.
Mince the garlic fine and let it sit in the dressing for a few minutes before tossing to develop bold, balanced flavor without raw harshness.

Substitutions

Rice vinegar → apple cider vinegar or white vinegar (use slightly less; vinegar varies in acidity)
Gochugaru → red pepper flakes (use half the amount; chili paste mixed with a pinch of sugar also works)
Sesame oil → avocado or walnut oil (sesame flavor will be lost; increase soy sauce slightly for depth)
Green onion → chives or scallion whites (for milder onion flavor)

Storage & make-ahead

Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 2 days; dressing and cucumbers may be stored separately up to 4 hours and combined just before serving to maintain crispness.

Common Questions

What is an accordion cucumber and can I use regular cucumbers?

An accordion cucumber is sliced almost through but left intact at the base, creating a fan shape. Persian cucumbers work best due to their smaller size and fewer seeds, but you can use regular cucumbers cut into shorter lengths.

How long does this salad keep?

Best served fresh (within 2–3 hours), but it keeps refrigerated for up to 2 days. The cucumbers will soften and release more liquid over time.

What is gochugaru and where do I find it?

Gochugaru is Korean red chili flakes with a fruity, moderately spicy heat. Find it in Asian grocery stores or online; regular red pepper flakes can substitute but use less and adjust to taste.