Din tai fung cucumber recipe

When you walk into a Din Tai Fung restaurant, you’re greeted by the smell of dumplings and the sound of chopsticks. The Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad stands out with its refreshing crunch. Now, you can make this dish at home, bringing the taste of Taiwan to your table.

Key Takeaways

• Din Tai Fung is a renowned Taiwanese restaurant chain known for its Michelin-starred dishes, including the famous soup dumplings.
• The Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad is a popular side dish featuring marinated, sliced cucumbers in a sweet, spicy, and soy-based sauce.
• The salad is best served cold and pairs perfectly with rice, noodles, or dumplings, making it a versatile addition to any meal.
• The recipe requires simple, easy-to-find ingredients, such as light soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, garlic, chilli oil, and sesame oil.
• With a balance of flavours and a crunchy texture, this salad is a refreshing and healthful option that can be customized to personal taste preferences.

Understanding Din Tai Fung’s Famous Cucumber Salad

Din Tai Fung is famous for its soup dumplings. But its cucumber salad is also a favourite side dish. This salad perfectly exemplifies Taiwanese cuisine, mixing sweet, salty, and spicy flavours.

History of the Iconic Dish

The cucumber salad at Din Tai Fung is a big hit in Taiwanese food. It shows the creativity and cultural richness of Taiwan. This salad is loved by many around the world.

What Makes It Special

The salad’s charm comes from its mix of flavours and textures. The cool cucumbers and savoury-sweet marinade enhance its taste. This simple dish lets the ingredients shine, showcasing what’s best in dim sum side dishes, Taiwanese cuisine, and Chinese appetizers.

Cultural Significance

The cucumber salad at Din Tai Fung is more than just food. It shows Taiwan’s skill in making simple things special. It’s a key part of the Chinese appetizer experience, showing Taiwanese hospitality and tradition.

“The Din Tai Fung cucumber salad is a prime example of how Taiwanese cuisine can transform the simplest of ingredients into a masterpiece of flavors and textures.”

Essential Ingredients for Authentic Taste

To make the famous Din Tai Fung cucumber salad at home, you need the right mix of flavours. The key ingredients are light soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, garlic, chilli oil, sesame oil, and kosher salt.

Rice vinegar is the usual choice, but you can also use red wine or distilled white vinegar if you can’t find it. Making your own chilli oil adds a spicy touch to the marinade. Together, these ingredients make a dressing that enhances the cucumbers’ crispness.

The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon of mirin, 1 tablespoon of sugar, 1 1/2 tablespoons of sesame oil, 3 cloves of garlic, 1 1/2 tablespoons of soy sauce dressing, and 1 red chilli for garnish. You can make the dressing ahead of time and keep it in the fridge. It’s great for quick meal prep.

• Light soy sauce dressing (preferably reduced sodium)
• Rice vinegar (or red wine/distilled white vinegar)
• Sugar
• Garlic
• Chili oil
• Sesame oil
• Kosher salt

“The secret to an authentic Din Tai Fung cucumber salad lies in the perfect balance of sweet, sour, and savory flavors that complement the crisp texture of the cucumbers.”

By carefully choosing and mixing these ingredients, you can make your cucumber salad as good as Din Tai Fung’s. It will be a dish that pleases your taste buds.

Choosing the Right Cucumbers

Choosing the right cucumbers is key for Din Tai Fung’s cucumber salad. You can use small, thin-skinned “seedless” Persian cucumbers or English cucumbers.

Persian vs English Cucumbers

Persian cucumbers are the top pick for this salad. They are shorter, thinner, and sweeter than regular cucumbers. Their thin skin and lack of seeds make them crunchy and flavorful.

English cucumbers are also good, but they have more water. This can make them less crisp. Still, with the right prep, they can make a great salad.

Proper Selection Tips

• Choose cucumbers that are firm and have smooth, shiny skin.
• Stay away from cucumbers with big seeds or wrinkled skin. They’re not as fresh.
• Go for smaller, slender cucumbers. They have fewer seeds and are crisper.

Storage Guidelines

To keep cucumbers fresh, store them in the fridge’s crisper drawer. Wrap them in a paper towel and put them in a plastic bag. This keeps them moist and crisp.

You can make Din Tai Fung’s cucumber salad at home by picking the right cucumbers and storing them right.

Din Tai Fung Cucumber Recipe: Step-by-Step Guide

You can make Din Tai Fung’s famous cucumber salad at home. It’s a quick and easy vegetarian snack for any time. Follow these steps to get the signature taste of this Taiwanese dish.

1. Slice Persian cucumbers into 1/2-inch rounds. This variety is recommended for its crisp texture and fresh flavour.
2. In a bowl, toss the cucumber slices with a pinch of salt and let them sit for 5-10 minutes. This step helps draw out excess moisture, ensuring maximum crispness.
3. Rinse the salted cucumbers and pat them dry with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel.

For the dressing, combine:

• 2 tablespoons light soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 2 cloves of grated garlic
• 1 teaspoon of chilli oil (or to taste)
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil

Toss the cucumbers in the prepared dressing and let them marinate for at least 10 minutes. The longer the cucumbers sit in the flavorful marinade, the more pronounced the flavours will become.

This quick and easy healthy snack recipe can be made in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Serve chilled and enjoy the refreshing, vegetarian delight!

The Perfect Marinade Formula

Finding the right flavours to make the ultimate soy sauce dressing for your cucumber salad. The secret is in a special marinade that uniquely tastes the cucumbers.

Balancing Flavors

Creating a great marinade means getting the sweet, salty, and spicy just right. You can adjust the ingredients to make it your own.

Sauce Components

• 2 tablespoons light soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1/2 tablespoon sugar
• 2 cloves grated garlic
• 1/2 tablespoon chilli oil
• 1/2 tablespoon sesame oil

Marination Time

For the best flavour, marinate the cucumbers for at least 10 minutes. But marinating them for 4 hours to 2 days will strengthen the flavours. You can change the ingredients to make the soy sauce dressing just right for you.

“The perfect soy sauce dressing is the foundation for a truly authentic Din Tai Fung cucumber salad experience.”

Preparation Techniques for Maximum Crispness

Follow these key steps to achieve the crisp texture of Din Tai Fung’s pickled cucumber salad. First, slice the cucumbers and salt them well. Then, let them sit for 30 minutes. This step removes excess moisture, making the salad crisp.

After resting, rinse the cucumbers under water for 45-60 seconds. Then, dry them with a towel or paper towels. Make sure they are dry. Slice them evenly, about 1/2 or 1/4 inch thick, for even marination and crispness.

Chill the cucumbers for at least 4 hours before serving for the best crispness. This step makes the salad even more refreshing and crunchy.

“The key to a perfectly crisp pickled cucumber salad is in the preparation. Don’t skip the salting and chilling steps – they are essential for achieving that signature texture.”

You can make Din Tai Fung’s pickled cucumber salad at home by following these steps. Serve it as a side dish or appetizer, and enjoy this Taiwanese classic’s authentic flavours and textures.

Mastering the Signature Chili Oil Drizzle

A drizzle of homemade chilli oil is key to truly capturing the essence of Din Tai Fung’s famous cucumber salad. This simple addition adds a vibrant pop of colour. It also infuses each bite with a delightful spicy kick.

Making Homemade Chili Oil

Creating the perfect chilli oil is surprisingly easy. Start by heating high-quality vegetable oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Once the oil is warm, add dried chilli flakes, Sichuan peppercorns, and aromatic ingredients like garlic and ginger.

Allow the mixture to simmer gently for 10-15 minutes, infusing the oil with bold flavours. Strain the oil through a fine-mesh sieve, discarding the solids. Let it cool completely before using.

Application Tips

• Add a small drop of chilli oil to the top of each cucumber slice just before serving. This will create a visually appealing and flavorful presentation.
• Start with a light drizzle of chilli oil and gradually increase the amount based on your desired level of heat and spice.
• The chilli oil can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, making it easy to have on hand for future servings of the Chinese appetizer.

Mastering the signature chilli oil drizzle is the final touch that elevates this classic Chinese appetizer to new heights. With a few simple steps, you can recreate the authentic flavours of Din Tai Fung’s renowned cucumber salad right in your own kitchen.

Presentation and Plating Tips

Stack the marinated cucumber slices neatly on a plate to make your dish look great. Drizzle with chilli oil on top for a burst of colour. For spice and style, add some sliced Fresno chilli peppers.

Chill the dish and serve it on a decorative plate or small bowl. This will highlight the salad’s vibrant colours and textures. The neat stacking, chilli oil, and garnishes will make your dish a hit at the table.

When decorating food, remember the four key elements: balance, colour, texture, and proportion. Focus on the size, shape, and placement of each ingredient. This will create a dish that looks as good as it tastes, making your meal more enjoyable.

din tai fung cucumber

Yield: 2-3

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

🥒 Refreshing, savory, and a touch of spice! Recreate the famous Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad at home with this easy recipe. Perfect as a snack or appetizer, these crunchy cucumbers are bursting with flavor and super simple to make!

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Ingredients

• 1 large cucumber (or 2 Persian cucumbers)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/4 tsp sugar
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
• 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds (optional)

Instructions

1. Prepare the cucumber: Slice cucumber into bite-sized pieces. Sprinkle with salt and let sit for 10 minutes, then drain excess liquid.
2. Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, sugar, and red pepper flakes until combined.
3. Combine and marinate: Pour the dressing over the cucumbers and toss to coat evenly. Let marinate for 20-30 minutes for best flavor.
4. Serve: Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds for garnish if desired. Serve chilled!

Notes

Variations: Add a touch of honey for a hint of sweetness, or sprinkle in some chopped scallions for extra flavor.

Meal Prep: Can be made a few hours in advance and stored in the refrigerator, but best served within a day for optimal crunch.

Nutrition Information

Yield 2-3
Amount Per ServingCalories 40Total Fat 2gCarbohydrates 4gProtein 1g

FAQ

What is the Din Tai Fung cucumber salad?

The Din Tai Fung cucumber salad is a favourite in Taiwan. It consists of sliced cucumbers marinated in a sweet, spicy dressing. This quick and tasty dish goes well with rice, noodles, or dumplings.

What are the key ingredients in an authentic Din Tai Fung cucumber salad?

The main ingredients are light soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, garlic, chilli oil, sesame oil, and kosher salt. Together, they create a sweet, spicy dressing perfect for cucumbers.

Why are Persian or English cucumbers ideal for this recipe?

Persian or English cucumbers are the best because they are seedless and sweeter. They also contain less water than regular cucumbers, making the salad crispier.

How do you prepare the cucumbers to achieve maximum crispness?

To keep cucumbers crisp, salt them and let them sit for 30 minutes. Then, rinse them to remove excess moisture. Chilling the cucumbers before serving also helps.

How do you make the signature chilli oil drizzle?

Making homemade chilli oil is easy. Heat vegetable oil with dried chilli flakes, Sichuan peppercorns, garlic, and ginger. Strain and cool before drizzling it over the salad for a real flavour.

How should the Din Tai Fung cucumber salad be presented?

Stack the cucumber slices neatly on a plate to make the salad look good. Drizzle more chilli oil on top, and add sliced Fresno chilli peppers for a pop of colour.

Source Links

• https://www.whiskaffair.com/din-tai-fung-cucumber-salad/ – Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad