Smashed Cucumber Salad (Pai Huang Gua)

Method

1. 1

   Lay the cucumbers flat and whack them with the side of a cleaver or a rolling pin until they crack along their length, then tear or cut into bite-size chunks.

   💡 You want cracked and craggy, not puréed — two or three firm smacks per cucumber.

2. 2

   Toss the pieces with the salt in a colander and let them drain for 10 minutes.

   💡 Salting first pulls out water that would otherwise dilute the dressing.

3. 3

   Whisk the garlic, vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil and chili oil into a dressing.

4. 4

   Shake the cucumbers dry, toss with the dressing and let them sit 5 minutes.

5. 5

   Scatter with toasted sesame seeds and serve cold, ideally alongside something rich or spicy.