“Food is not just what we eat; it’s how we connect.” This thought from unknown is true when I think of Din Tai Fung cucumber salad recipe. Each bite brings the flavors of Taiwan and memories of family and friends. Today, I’ll show you how to make this authentic Din Tai Fung salad at home. You’ll need just a few ingredients and simple steps to enjoy its taste and texture.
Get ready for a cooking adventure that will wow your family and satisfy your taste buds in 15 minutes.
Key Notes
- Din Tai Fung cucumber salad can be made in just 15 minutes.
- The salad requires marination for best flavor, ideally at least 15 minutes.
- This dish serves 1, with approximately 205 calories per serving.
- Two Persian cucumbers or one English cucumber are needed for the recipe.
- It features a balance of flavors with ingredients like rice vinegar and sesame oil.
Table of Contents
Introduction to Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad
Din Tai Fung is a famous Taiwanese restaurant chain. It’s known for its tasty dishes. The cucumber salad is a favorite for its cool taste and crunchy texture.
This salad is a important part of Asian food. It mixes different flavors that excite your taste buds. My version of this recipe is easy and tasty, making it great for any event.
The recipe uses 4-5 Persian or Kirby cucumbers for their crispiness. This salad is low in calories at 96 kcal per serving. It’s also full of vitamins A and C, making it healthy.
Letting the salad chill for 30 minutes makes it even better. The dressing, made of soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil, adds to its special taste. This shows Din Tai Fung’s cooking tradition.
I enjoy making this salad for my loved ones. It’s perfect for light meals in summer. It’s refreshing and goes well with many dishes. Making this salad at home has made my cooking journey richer!
What Makes Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad Unique?
The Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad is special because of its marinade. It has rice vinegar, sesame oil, and chili oil. These ingredients make the cucumbers taste fresh and flavorful.
Preparing the salad takes about 4 hours and 40 minutes. It’s a great choice for those who love cooking. The recipe makes four servings, perfect for sharing with family and friends.
The salad’s flavors are balanced. It’s light but has a bit of spice from the chili. The marinade makes the cucumbers crunchy and juicy. You can make it a day before, so the flavors mix well.
This salad is loved by many, with a 4.99 out of 5 rating from 143 votes. It’s not only tasty but also healthy. Each serving has 59 calories, 5 grams of carbs, and a bit of protein. It’s a healthy treat.
Ingredients for the Perfect Cucumber Salad
To make a great cucumber salad, you need a few key ingredients. I use 1 lb of Persian cucumbers for their crunch and sweetness. For the best taste, use 4-5 cucumbers. Slice each one to 1/2 inch thick to keep them crisp.
Salt is important, about 1 teaspoon. It helps pull moisture from the cucumbers, making the salad taste better.
The dressing is what holds it all together. You’ll need 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, 2 tablespoons of rice vinegar, and 2 teaspoons of sesame oil. Add 2-3 cloves of minced garlic for a kick. You can also add 1-2 teaspoons of chili oil, depending on how spicy you like it.
Let the cucumbers sit with salt for 15-20 minutes. Then, chill them for 10-20 minutes before serving. This makes the salad taste even better.
This salad is healthy, with 77 kcal and 2 g of protein per serving. It’s low in fat and full of vitamins and minerals. It’s great for a light meal or as a side dish. This salad is not only tasty but also helps me stay healthy.
Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad Recipe
I love the refreshing taste of Din Tai Fung cucumber salad. Making it at home is easy with my simple recipe. Just a few ingredients are needed to create a tasty side dish.
Step-by-Step Preparation Guide
First, get 1 pound of Persian cucumbers. Cut them into ½ inch thick slices. Sprinkle with 2 teaspoons of kosher salt and 3 teaspoons of sugar. Let them sit for 20 minutes to remove moisture, then rinse well.
In a bowl, mix 2½ tablespoons of rice vinegar, 5 tablespoons of water, 1 garlic clove, 1½ teaspoons of vegetable oil, ½ teaspoon of sesame oil, and 1 teaspoon of Din Tai Fung chili oil. Add the cucumbers to the dressing and coat them well. Cover and chill for at least 1 hour, or up to 24 hours for more flavor.
Essential Cooking Techniques for Best Results
Marinating is key for the authentic taste in this salad. Rinsing cucumbers after salting keeps them crisp and flavorful. Marinate for 1 to 24 hours, but two days is even better.
For serving, add more chili oil and garnish with Fresno chili slices. This adds beauty and a bit of spice. Enjoy the mix of flavors in this easy salad!
The Importance of Marination in Cucumber Salad
Marination is key in making the authentic Din Tai Fung salad. It boosts flavors and makes the salad more appealing. Salting cucumbers for 10 minutes before marinating helps them absorb the dressing’s flavors well.
For the best taste, let the cucumber salad marinate for at least 30 minutes. But marinating it overnight is even better. Ingredients like Japanese Mirin, soy sauce, and chili oil blend well during this time. This makes the salad refreshing and tangy.
Making the cucumber salad takes about 15 minutes. But with marinating, it takes around one hour. It serves three Persian cucumbers, making it great for sharing. Each serving has about 56.5 calories. This makes it a tasty and healthy choice.
Variations of Cucumber Salad and Twists
Din Tai Fung’s cucumber salad is special to me. But trying different variations of cucumber salad is exciting. Adding sesame seeds and various peppers makes cucumbers crunchier.
For a spicy kick, try a Korean-style cucumber salad with gochujang. It adds a bold flavor.
A Thai version is also refreshing. Lime juice and crushed peanuts make it taste great. Adding fruit like citrus or mango gives it a fun twist.
There are so many ways to enjoy cucumber salad. These variations of cucumber salad are fun and tasty. They show how cucumbers can be used in many ways.
Health Benefits of Cucumber Salad
Cucumber salad is full of health benefits. It has only 35 kcal per serving and is mostly water, about 95%. This makes it great for staying hydrated and helping with weight control. It’s also rich in vitamins and minerals like vitamin K, which is good for bones.
Each serving has 1 g of protein and 1 g of fiber. It also has potassium and iron. Eating cucumbers with their skin on gets you the most nutrients.
The dressing, with garlic and sesame oil, adds flavor and healthy fats. It has about 6 g of carbs and only 3 g of sugar. This makes it a good choice for many diets. Letting it marinate for 20 minutes to 24 hours makes the flavors even better.
This salad is a nutritious side dish. It goes well with grilled meats or barbecue chicken.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad is a bright side dish that goes well with many main courses. It’s great with dumplings, adding a cool touch to their rich taste. It also pairs well with fried rice or grilled meats, balancing their heaviness.
On spicy nights, this salad can cool your taste buds. It’s perfect with vegetarian sushi rolls or fried tofu. This makes for a balanced and tasty dinner.
Complementary Dishes for Your Meal
- Dumplings
- Fried Rice
- Grilled Meats
- Vegetarian Sushi Rolls
- Fried Tofu
This salad is quick to make, needing just 25 minutes, including rest time. It serves four, ideal for family dinners or small parties. Each serving has only 67 calories. For more flavor, chill it for 30 minutes before serving!
Where to Find Din Tai Fung
Finding a Din Tai Fung location is a treat. They have many spots in the U.S., like Los Angeles, Seattle, and San Francisco. There, you can enjoy their famous cucumber salad and more Taiwanese dishes. If you want to locate Din Tai Fung, they’re expanding. This makes it easier for fans to taste their authentic flavors.
Can’t go to a restaurant? Making the cucumber salad at home is a great idea. It lets me enjoy the same taste as at Din Tai Fung. With 20.9 million TikTok views for their cucumber salad, I’m excited to try it. A visit is more than food; it’s a special experience with their authentic dishes.
| City | Din Tai Fung Location | Popular Dishes |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 626 1/2 South Fairfax Avenue | Cucumber Salad, Soup Dumplings |
| Seattle | 2016 6th Avenue | Shrimp & Pork Dumplings, Noodles |
| San Francisco | >900 North Point Street | Fried Rice, Cucumber Salad |
Din Tai Fung is a favorite spot for many. Whether eating in or making it at home, it’s a joy. I love the elegant setting and the rich flavors of their dishes. I’m always excited to try new Din Tai Fung locations as they grow.
Conclusion
This guide reminds me that I can make Din Tai Fung’s Cucumber Salad at home. It’s easy to do with fresh ingredients. I get to enjoy a tasty and healthy salad that’s perfect for any meal.
The mix of cucumber crunch and the dressing’s flavors is amazing. It lets me have a real dining experience at home.
Sharing this salad with friends and family makes any event special. It’s great with dumplings or fried rice, making it perfect for any time. I can also add spice or change the vinegar to please everyone.
By making this recipe, I satisfy my cravings and add summer vibes to my meals all year. This cucumber salad is now a favorite in my kitchen. It shows that delicious food doesn’t have to be hard to make. I’m excited to share it with my loved ones!
