16 Japanese Spicy Cucumber Recipe Try These Culinary Delights!
Published on: Mar 25, 2024
If you're a fan of bold and flavorful dishes, then this Japanese spicy cucumber recipe is a must-try. The combination of fresh cucumbers, spicy seasonings, and umami-rich flavors creates a dish that is both refreshing and satisfying. Whether you're looking for a side dish to complement your meal or a healthy snack to satisfy your cravings, this recipe is sure to become a staple in your kitchen.
One of the most refreshing and light dishes in Japanese cuisine, Japanese cucumber salad, or sunomono, is a must-try for any food lover. Made with thinly sliced cucumbers, rice vinegar, and a touch of sesame oil, this salad is the perfect accompaniment to any meal. The tanginess of the vinegar combined with the crunch of the cucumber creates a delicious contrast of flavors and textures. Add some shrimp or crab meat for a more filling dish, or enjoy it as a light and healthy snack. Either way, this cucumber salad is sure to be a hit.
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Japanese Salmon Bowl
Main Ingredients: White Rice, Rice Wine Vinegar, Soy Sauce, Chilli Sauce
For a hearty and satisfying meal, try a Japanese salmon bowl. This dish features grilled salmon on a bed of steamed rice, topped with avocado, seaweed, and sliced cucumbers. The salmon is marinated in a teriyaki sauce and then grilled to perfection, giving it a deliciously sweet and savory flavor. The combination of the tender salmon, creamy avocado, and crunchy vegetables makes for a well-rounded and delicious meal. It's perfect for a quick lunch or a light dinner.
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Japanese Fried Chicken (Chicken Karaage) Bento
Main Ingredients: Boneless Chicken, Ginger Juice, Mizkan Bonito Flavored
Karaage, or Japanese fried chicken, is a popular dish in Japan and is often found in bento boxes. The chicken is marinated in a soy sauce and garlic mixture before being coated in potato starch and deep-fried to crispy perfection. It's served alongside steamed rice, pickled vegetables, and edamame. This bento box is not only visually appealing but also incredibly delicious. The tender and juicy chicken paired with the crispy coating and flavorful sides make for a satisfying and flavorful meal.
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Japanese Salmon Avocado Rice Bowls
Main Ingredients: Rice, Avocado, Smoked Salmon, Cucumbers, Nori Seaweed
Combining two popular Japanese ingredients, this rice bowl is a must-try for any seafood lover. The salmon is marinated in a spicy mayo sauce and then grilled or broiled until tender. It's then served on a bed of steamed rice and topped with creamy avocado, seaweed, and pickled ginger. The combination of flavors and textures in this dish is simply irresistible. It's a great way to incorporate more seafood into your diet while still enjoying a delicious and satisfying meal.
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Japanese Cucumber Salad (Sunomono)
Main Ingredients: English Cucumber, Salt, Sugar, Soy Sauce, Rice Vinegar
A staple in Japanese cuisine, sunomono is a classic dish that is loved by many. Thinly sliced cucumbers are marinated in a rice vinegar and mirin mixture, giving it a sweet and tangy flavor. It can be enjoyed on its own as a light and refreshing snack, or served as a side dish to accompany a meal. Some variations of this dish also include crab meat or octopus, adding even more flavor and texture to the dish. No matter how you enjoy it, sunomono is a must-try for any Japanese food lover.
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Sushi Burrito
Main Ingredients: Japanese Rice Vinegar, Medium Grain Rice, Japanese
A fusion of Japanese and Mexican cuisine, the sushi burrito is a fun and unique way to enjoy sushi. Instead of being rolled, the sushi ingredients are wrapped in a large sheet of nori and then wrapped in a sushi rice "tortilla". The fillings can vary, but typically include avocado, cucumber, crab meat, and spicy mayo. It's then rolled up and sliced, just like a regular sushi roll. The result is a handheld sushi meal that is perfect for on-the-go eating.
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Sushi Rolls
Main Ingredients: Sushi Rice, Water, Salt, Rice Vinegar, Maple Syrup
No list of Japanese dishes is complete without mentioning sushi rolls. This classic dish is a fan favorite and for a good reason. Thinly sliced raw fish and vegetables are rolled up in sushi rice and nori, creating a bite-sized and flavorful meal. The options for fillings are endless, with popular choices including tuna, salmon, avocado, and cucumber. It's then served with soy sauce, wasabi, and pickled ginger for dipping. Sushi rolls are a must-try for any Japanese food lover.
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Japanese Fried Chicken Bento
Main Ingredients: Boneless Chicken, Ginger Juice, Base, Mirin
Another bento box option, this dish features Japanese fried chicken, or karaage, as the main protein. The chicken is marinated in a soy sauce and ginger mixture before being coated in cornstarch and deep-fried until crispy. It's then served with steamed rice, pickled vegetables, and a side salad. The combination of the crunchy chicken and the fresh sides make for a well-balanced and satisfying meal.
This simple and healthy salad is a staple in Japanese cuisine. Blanched spinach is dressed in a sesame dressing and topped with sesame seeds and crispy onions. The result is a delicious and nutrient-packed salad that pairs well with any Japanese dish. It's a great way to incorporate more greens into your diet while still enjoying a flavorful and satisfying meal.
While not as well-known as its American counterpart, Japanese potato salad is just as delicious, if not more. It's made with Japanese mayonnaise, which is slightly sweeter and tangier than traditional mayonnaise, giving the dish a unique flavor. The potatoes are mashed with carrots, corn, and cucumbers, and then mixed with the mayo and eggs. It's a great side dish to accompany any Japanese meal, or enjoy it on its own as a light and tasty snack.
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Japanese Rainbow Roll
Main Ingredients: Salmon, Tuna, Avocado, Imitation Crab Meat, Cucumber
A more visually appealing variation of the classic sushi roll, the rainbow roll features a variety of colorful ingredients such as avocado, cucumber, tuna, salmon, and crab meat. The result is a beautiful and flavorful roll that is sure to impress. It's a great option for those who want to try something different from the traditional sushi roll.
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Creamy Japanese Potato Salad
Main Ingredients: Potatoes, Cucumber, Carrot, Hard Boiled Eggs, Kewpie
A richer and creamier version of the Japanese potato salad, this dish is perfect for those who love indulgent flavors. The potatoes are mashed with butter, heavy cream, and Japanese mayonnaise, giving it a velvety texture and a rich flavor. It's then mixed with cucumber, carrots, and corn for added crunch and flavor. It's a great side dish to accompany a savory main course.
If you're feeling adventurous, try making your own sushi rolls at home. It's a fun and interactive activity that allows you to customize your rolls with your favorite ingredients. You can use a variety of fillings such as avocado, shrimp, crab meat, and cucumber. With a little practice, you'll be rolling up sushi like a pro in no time.
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Japanese Onion Soup with Mushrooms
Main Ingredients: Grapeseed Oil, Yellow Onion, Sea Salt, Ground Ginger
A comforting and flavorful soup, Japanese onion soup with mushrooms is a popular dish in many Japanese restaurants. The broth is made with bonito flakes, soy sauce, and mirin, giving it a rich and savory flavor. It's then topped with green onions and shiitake mushrooms, adding a delicious earthy taste to the soup. It's a great starter to any Japanese meal or enjoy it on its own as a light and comforting dish.
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Somen (Japanese Cold Noodles)
Main Ingredients: Noodles, Ice Cubes, Dashi Stock, Soy Sauce, Mirin
Perfect for hot summer days, somen is a refreshing and light dish that is popular in Japan. Thin wheat noodles are served chilled and topped with a variety of toppings such as cucumber, green onions, shiso leaves, and thinly sliced egg. It's then served with a dipping sauce made from sake, mirin, and soy sauce. It's a great way to cool down while still enjoying a delicious and satisfying meal.
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Japanese Farm-Style Grilled Teriyaki Chicken Bowl
Main Ingredients: Teriyaki, Portobellos, Chicken Thighs, Shitake
This hearty and flavorful bowl is a staple in Japanese homes. The chicken is marinated in a homemade teriyaki sauce and then grilled until tender. It's then served on a bed of steamed rice and topped with sauteed vegetables and a drizzle of teriyaki sauce. This dish is a great way to incorporate more vegetables and protein into your diet while still enjoying a delicious and satisfying meal.
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Japanese Restaurant-style Salad
Main Ingredients: Romaine Lettuce, Tomatoes, Cucumber, Red Onion, Chicken
No Japanese meal is complete without a side of salad. This Japanese restaurant-style salad is a delicious and healthy addition to any meal. Made with lettuce, cucumber, carrots, and tomatoes, it's topped with a ginger dressing that is tangy and refreshing. It's a great way to incorporate more greens into your diet while still enjoying a flavorful and satisfying dish.
Karaage, or Japanese fried chicken, is a popular dish in Japan and is often found on izakaya menus. The chicken is marinated in a soy sauce and ginger mixture before being coated in potato starch and deep-fried until crispy. It's then served with a spicy mayo sauce for dipping. It's a great dish to share with friends while enjoying some drinks and conversation.
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Japanese cucumber salad (Cucumber Sunomono)
Main Ingredients: Cucumber, Wakame, Salt, Rice Vinegar, Mirin, Soy Sauce
If you're a fan of the classic Japanese cucumber salad, try this variation made with crab meat and octopus. The addition of seafood adds an extra layer of flavor and texture to the dish. It's a great option for those who want to try something new and different.
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Japanese Potato Salad Croquettes (Korokke)
Main Ingredients: Potatoes, Carrots, Cucumbers, Green Onions, Red Onions
A popular snack in Japan, korokke, or potato croquettes, are a delicious and indulgent treat. Mashed potatoes are mixed with bacon, onion, and cheese, and then coated in panko breadcrumbs and deep-fried until golden and crispy. The result is a crispy and flavorful croquette that is perfect for snacking on or enjoying as a side dish.
The Secret to Perfectly Spiced Cucumbers
When it comes to creating the perfect Japanese spicy cucumber dish, it's all about finding the right balance of flavors. The key to achieving this is in the marinade. Soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil are the main players in this recipe, providing a savory and tangy base for the cucumbers to soak up. But what gives this dish its signature spicy kick? The answer lies in shichimi togarashi, a Japanese spice blend that adds just the right amount of heat and depth of flavor. You can find this spice mix at most Asian grocery stores or make your own by combining chili flakes, toasted sesame seeds, ground ginger, ground Szechuan peppercorns, and nori flakes.
The Importance of Properly Preparing Cucumbers
To ensure that your cucumbers are perfectly seasoned, it's crucial to properly prepare them before marinating. Salt is used to draw out excess moisture from the cucumbers, resulting in a crispier texture and preventing them from getting soggy. Be sure to use kosher salt or sea salt for this step, as table salt can be too harsh and leave your cucumbers too salty. Another important tip is to remove the seeds from the cucumbers before slicing. This not only makes for a cleaner presentation, but also prevents the dish from becoming too watery.
Customize to Your Taste
While this recipe calls for English cucumbers, you can use any variety of cucumbers that you prefer. If you like your dish extra spicy, feel free to add more shichimi togarashi or even some sriracha for an extra kick. You can also add other ingredients to the marinade, such as garlic or ginger, for added flavor complexity. Experiment and find the perfect balance of flavors that suits your taste buds.
Bringing It All Together
Once you have prepared and marinated your cucumbers, all that's left to do is toss them together and let them sit for at least an hour to allow the flavors to meld. This dish can be served as a side dish for a Japanese-inspired meal, or as a healthy snack on its own. The possibilities are endless with this versatile and delicious Japanese spicy cucumber recipe.
In Conclusion
With its bold and flavorful profile, this Japanese spicy cucumber dish is sure to impress. The marinade is the key to achieving the perfect balance of flavors, so be sure to follow the instructions closely. Don't be afraid to experiment and make this recipe your own by adding your favorite ingredients. Enjoy it as a side dish or as a snack, and impress your friends and family with your newfound Japanese culinary skills.
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