Crispy and Delicious Pickled Young Cucumber (Nokak) Salad
Summer Delicacy! A Sweet and Tangy Nokak Salad Made with ‘Old Cucumbers’
Nokak, commonly known as ‘old cucumbers’, are cucumbers left on the vine for about 30 days past their usual harvest time. They are firmer, offer a more satisfying chew, and their unique refreshing taste and aroma are perfect for whetting your appetite during the summer. This recipe shows you how to make a delicious nokak salad with a soy-based dressing that requires no complicated cooking—just simple mixing! You can watch the detailed cooking process starting from 01:16 in the video.
Main Ingredients
- 1 Nokak (Young Cucumber)
- 1/2 tsp Salt (10g)
Seasoning
- 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce (30ml)
- 2 Tbsp Vinegar (30ml)
- 1.5 Tbsp Sugar (20g)
- 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce (30ml)
- 2 Tbsp Vinegar (30ml)
- 1.5 Tbsp Sugar (20g)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, it’s time to peel the nokak. Unlike regular cucumbers, nokak can have a thicker, tougher skin, so use a vegetable peeler to carefully remove the peel. Removing the skin helps maintain its crisp texture.
Step 2
After peeling, avoid the seedy core of the nokak and use only the fleshy part for a crisp bite. Use a mandoline or a julienne peeler to thinly slice the nokak into fine strips. Cutting them too thick might reduce the satisfying chewiness, so thin slices are preferable.
Step 3
Place the julienned nokak into a large bowl. Add 1/2 teaspoon of salt and gently mix. Let it sit for about 10 to 15 minutes to draw out the moisture. This step helps reduce any potential bitterness and further enhances the crisp texture of the nokak.
Step 4
You’ll notice that the nokak has become moist as its water content has been extracted. Now, rinse the salted nokak gently under clean water 1 to 2 times. Be careful not to wash it for too long, as this might affect how well it absorbs the seasoning.
Step 5
Drain the rinsed nokak thoroughly, ensuring as much water as possible is removed. You can gently squeeze out the excess water with your hands, but avoid squeezing too hard, as this can diminish the nokak’s crispness. Properly draining the water is crucial for the seasoning to adhere well and create a delicious salad.
Step 6
Add all the prepared seasoning ingredients to the drained nokak: 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, 2 tablespoons of vinegar, and 1.5 tablespoons of sugar. Gently mix everything with your hands until the seasoning is evenly distributed. This results in a delicious nokak salad! Feel free to add a little minced garlic or sesame oil to your preference.
