This cucumber salad is truly the best I’ve ever made!
Not only because it’s cut in such a fun shape, which is called coir raincoat but the flavor is simply scrumptious! I’ve always loved ordering cucumber salad at different asian restaurants. It is the perfect dish as it’s so refreshing and flavorsome!
This coir rainbow cucumber salad is inspired by a Chinese cucumber salad, adding in gochugaru, which is Korean spice. I find it be more flavorful then intensely spicy and pairs perfect in this cucumber salad with flavors from sweet coconut aminos, coconut sugar and sesame.
Persian Cucumbers For The Win
I absolutely love Persian cucumbers, especially in this dish.
Unlike regular American cucumbers sold at most grocery stores, Persian cucumbers are smaller, less bitter and watery and have more flavor in my opinion.
They work really well in Asian and Middle Eastern dishes because they absorb a lot of flavor and pair well with a variety of spices and salt.
Typically you can find Persian cucumbers sold in packs. I usually get mine at Trader Joes. They even have organic!
The Fun Part: Making the Coir Raincoat Shape
This shape reminds me of an accordion or slinky! Although it may seem intimidating to cut properly, it’s really easy using just a few tricks to do.
*scroll down to see the recipe video as well*
First start by setting your Persian cucumbers down on a cutting board. Persian cucumbers are smaller in shape therefore best for this recipe since they are about 5 inches long and will almost triple in length once cut this way.
Start by surrounding your cucumber with chopsticks by placing a chopstick parallel to the cucumber on each side.
Hold the cucumber in place between the chopsticks and use a sharp knife to cut horizontal lines with a spacing of about 1/4 of an inch all the way down the cucumber.
the front of the cucumber, cutting horizontally down the cucumber
This allows you to use the chopsticks as a stopper to only cut 3/4 of the cucumber, making sure you do not cut through all the way. Then flip the cucumber over onto the other side.
Keeping the cucumber between the chopsticks, begin cutting 1/4 of an inch spaced lines down the whole cucumber. This time cutting it at a slight angle, instead of a straight line. (see below)
the back of the cucumber, cutting at a slight angle
Once you are done cutting on both sides, you should be able to gentle pull on the ends and see an accordion like shape.
Once you have successfully cut your first cucumber, repeat the process and continue on the rest of the Persian cucumbers.
Topping the sliced cucumbers with sea salt, allow to sit about 20 minutes then top with a deliciously sweet and savory marinade and black and white sesame seeds.
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Coir Raincoat Cucumber Salad
Equipment
- 1 pair of chopsticks
Ingredients
- 4-5 Persian cucumbers
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1 1/2 tbsp coconut aminos
- 2 tsp coconut sugar
- 1/2 tsp toasted sesame oil
- 2 tsp gochugaru Korean dried chili
- 1 tsp sesame seeds
- 1 tsp black sesame seeds can sub for regular or vice versa
Instructions
- Onto a cutting board, place a cucumber parallel between a set of chopsticks.
- Using a knife, begin cutting slices about 1/8 inch from one another from top to bottom. Not cutting all the way through the cucumber, using the chopsticks as barrier to only cut about 3/4th of the way down.
- Then flip the cucumber to have the uncut side facing up. Placing it between the chopsticks. Cut the same way on this side, but cutting at a slight diagonal this time.
- Once both sides are cut, you should be able to gently pull apart to see an accordion type shape.
- Repeat this process for all the cucumbers.
- Once cut, place cucumbers into a bowl and top them with 1/2 tsp of sea salt.
- Allow the cucumbers to sit for about 20-30 minutes refrigerated (if you want to keep them cooled)
- Then top with remaining ingredients and carefully mix together until thoroughly combined.
- Enjoy with rice or on its on as a side dish!
It was easy to make with your helpful tips. Delicious & 5 star restaurant presentation!
It was easy to make with your helpful tips. Delicious & 5 star restaurant presentation!
Thank you so much!! So glad you enjoyed 🙂