Spicy & Tangy Summer Delight: Chinese-Style Cucumber Salad with Doubanjiang (Mala Huang Gua Inspired)
Easy Chinese Cucumber Salad with Doubanjiang – A Perfect Summer Side Dish
When your appetite is low, this is the perfect dish! This Chinese-style cucumber salad is incredibly delicious with its sweet, sour, and spicy flavors. We’ve added a touch of Doubanjiang for an exotic twist, similar to Mala Huang Gua. It’s easy to make and incredibly tasty, a true rice companion. The combination of fresh cucumbers and crisp bell peppers, along with the captivating Doubanjiang dressing, will revive your taste buds this summer.
Main Ingredients
- 1 cucumber (medium size)
- 1 mini red bell pepper
Spicy & Tangy Dressing
- 1 Tbsp chili oil
- 1 Tbsp Doubanjiang (spicy broad bean paste)
- 1.5 Tbsp double-strength vinegar (or 3 Tbsp regular vinegar)
- 0.5 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 0.5 Tbsp sesame seeds
- 1 Tbsp chili oil
- 1 Tbsp Doubanjiang (spicy broad bean paste)
- 1.5 Tbsp double-strength vinegar (or 3 Tbsp regular vinegar)
- 0.5 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 0.5 Tbsp sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare all the ingredients for your delicious Chinese-style cucumber salad. Fresh cucumbers and colorful bell peppers are the stars of this dish.
Step 2
Wash the mini red bell pepper thoroughly, remove the stem, and make a slit to remove all the seeds. Then, slice it into the thinnest possible julienne strips. The crispness of the bell pepper will add another delightful texture to the salad.
Step 3
Thoroughly washing the cucumber is crucial. First, use coarse salt to gently rub the cucumber’s surface, removing any residue or blemishes. Then, trim off the very ends, which can sometimes be bitter, and lightly scrape off the bumpy skin if desired for easier eating. Next, cut the cucumber in half lengthwise, and use a teaspoon to scoop out and discard the soft inner seeds. This step helps prevent the salad from becoming watery.
Step 4
Slice the prepared cucumber into bite-sized triangular pieces. Thin slices will allow the dressing to penetrate better, making them even more flavorful. Aim for slices that are not too thick.
Step 5
Place the sliced cucumbers and julienned bell pepper into a large bowl. The vibrant colors are already making your mouth water!
Step 6
Now it’s time to add all the dressing ingredients that will bring this salad to life. Add 1 Tbsp chili oil, 1 Tbsp Doubanjiang, 1.5 Tbsp double-strength vinegar (if using regular vinegar, use 3 Tbsp – this allows you to adjust the tanginess), 0.5 Tbsp brown sugar, 1 Tbsp sesame oil, and 0.5 Tbsp of toasted sesame seeds to the bowl.
Step 7
Gently toss and mix everything with your hands to ensure the dressing is evenly distributed among the cucumbers and bell peppers. Be careful not to overmix, as this could make the cucumbers mushy. Mix gently for thorough coating. Once mixed, your spicy, sweet, and tangy Chinese-style cucumber salad, inspired by Mala Huang Gua, is ready! It’s delicious right away, or you can chill it in the refrigerator for a while for an even cooler and more refreshing treat.
