A refreshing cucumber salad is a staple summertime side. When dining at Gyu Kaku Japanese BBQ though, I always fill up on their simple yet crave-worthy cucumber salad. Tossed in a sweet and nutty sesame chili oil dressing, it’s the perfect balance of cool, crisp, and flavorful with every bite. I’ve finally recreated this Gyu Kaku cucumber recipe at home when I need my fix of this moreish salad.

Why You Will Love This Gyu Kaku Cucumber Salad

What I really enjoy about this Gyu Kaku cucumber salad recipe is how it takes just minutes to throw together yet tastes gourmet like their salad dressing. With only a few core ingredients, you likely have everything on hand to make this anytime. It also comes together with minimal chopping or prep work required.

And best of all, the flavor pairing and texture contrast is exceptional. Cool, crisp cucumbers get tossed with the sweet nuttiness of sesame oil and rice vinegar. Savory chili oil and a pinch of sugar balance it out. Every bite bursts with a wonderful mixture of flavors and crunch.

It’s the perfect simple starter or palate cleanser between bites of Korean barbecue. Yet it stands deliciously on its own too. I enjoy this light and healthy Gyu Kaku cucumber salad as a noodle bowl topping or packed for weekday lunches.

How to Make Gyu Kaku Cucumber Salad

With just 20 minutes and a few fridge staples, you can have this crave-worthy cucumber salad ready anytime!

Ingredients You’ll Need:

• 2 Persian or mini cucumbers, chopped
• 1 tablespoon S&B chili oil
• 1 and 1⁄2 teaspoons rice vinegar
• Pinch of sugar
• 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
• Salt and pepper to taste

Kitchen Equipment:

• Cutting board
• Sharp knife
• Mixing bowl
• Measuring spoons

Easy Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Wash and dry the mini cucumbers, then chop them into bite-sized pieces. I like mine around 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 inch thick.
2. In a medium bowl, combine the chopped cucumbers, S&B chili oil, rice vinegar and sugar.
3. Add the sesame seeds and a sprinkle of salt and pepper then toss everything until evenly coated.
4. Taste and adjust any seasonings as desired.
5. Enjoy your tasty cucumber salad immediately for the crunchiest texture and brightest flavors. Leftovers will keep covered in the fridge for 2-3 days.

Chef Tips:

• Persian cucumbers are extra crispy without bitterness from seeds. But English work well too.
• Toast sesame seeds in a dry pan for nuttier flavor before garnishing.
• Adjust vinegar, oil and sugar ratios to taste preferences.

Special Notes for Best Results

To best recreate the Gyu Kaku cucumber salad from my happy food memories:

• Seek out S&B brand chili sesame oil from Asian grocery stores for authentic flavor.
• Slice cucumbers paper thin ideally with a mandoline for tender, delicate texture.
• Chilling allows flavors to penetrate and meld beautifully.

Feel free to riff on this simple salad by adding extras like grated garlic, cilantro, jalapeños etc. But the core formula always applies. Just toss crisp cukes with nutty sesame chili oil and bright vinegar for best results!

Delicious Variations to Try

The beauty of this easy Gyu Kaku cucumber salad recipe lies in how adaptable it is:

Daikon Radish – For extra crunch and mild kick, add shredded daikon radish.

Avocado – Cubed avocado makes a dreamy, creamy contrast to the snappy cucumbers.

Ponzu – Swap rice vinegar for brighter citrus ponzu sauce.

Spicy – Up the heat with Sriracha, crushed red pepper or minced chilies.

Herby – Chopped cilantro, basil or mint give a fresh herbaceous twist.

No matter what flavors you add, it comes together fast. Simply toss thinly sliced cucumbers with umami sweet & spicy oil and vinegar for a bright healthy salad.

Serving Suggestions Beyond Side Salads

While this Gyu Kaku cucumber salad shines as a crisp starter or BBQ side, its versatility extends far beyond that:

• Top poke bowls, sushi rolls, or sashimi slices
• Toss with cold noodles or grains
• Layer into sandwiches and wraps
• Mix into chicken, tuna or egg salad
• Garnish bloody mary’s or gin cocktails
• Blend into cold soups like gazpacho

Crisp cucumber salad with its balanced sweet and nutty dressing complements anything from poke to pasta. I even enjoy this Gyu Kaku cucumber recipe solo as a healthy low-carb lunch with added avo and protein!

Storing Leftovers

Properly stored, leftovers of this easy cucumber salad will keep for 3 to 5 days:

Short-Term

Let chill completely before transferring to an airtight container and storing towards the back of the fridge.

Long-Term

The veggies and acidic dressing don’t lend well to freezing. For longest shelf life up to 5 days, keep stored in an airtight container in the fridge.

Reheating

Simply remove from fridge and let sit out 10 minutes to take off the chill before serving. No special reheating instructions needed for this fresh salad!

Continue to Content

Gyu Kaku Addicting Cucumber Recipe

Yield: 1

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Love the addicting cucumber salad from Gyu Kaku? Learn how to easily recreate this sweet, nutty chili sesame cucumber recipe at home as the perfect starter, side, or poke bowl topper in minutes.

Print

Ingredients

• 2 Persian or mini cucumbers, chopped
• 1 tablespoon S&B chili oil
• 1 and 1⁄2 teaspoons rice vinegar
• Pinch of sugar
• 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
• Salt and pepper to taste

Kitchen Equipment

• Cutting board
• Sharp knife
• Mixing bowl
• Measuring spoons

Instructions

1. Wash and dry the mini cucumbers, then chop them into bite-sized pieces. I like mine around 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 inch thick.
2. In a medium bowl, combine the chopped cucumbers, S&B chili oil, rice vinegar and sugar.
3. Add the sesame seeds and a sprinkle of salt and pepper then toss everything until evenly coated.
4. Taste and adjust any seasonings as desired.
5. Enjoy your tasty cucumber salad immediately for the crunchiest texture and brightest flavors. Leftovers will keep covered in the fridge for 2-3 days.

Conclusion

I hope this easy Gyu Kaku cucumber salad recipe makes its way into your regular recipe rotation. With only a few ingredients likely already on hand, you can have this light, refreshing salad on the table in minutes. The sweet nuttiness of the chili sesame dressing takes humble cucumbers to new crave-worthy heights. Enjoy this as a starter, side, or atop your favorite grain bowls and poke whenever you get a hankering!