Need something cold, crunchy, and bold to balance out a warm meal? This spiral cucumber salad is it. Cucumbers get salted just long enough to stay snappy, then they’re tossed with soy sauce, rice vinegar, garlic, chili oil, green onion, and black sesame seeds. It’s the perfect side for dumplings, rice bowls, grilled chicken, or anything fried—fresh, punchy, and ready in minutes.

Ingredients 

Cucumbers

• 6 mini cucumbers or Persian cucumbers (about 1 lb / 450 g total)

• 2 teaspoons salt (for draining)

Dressing

• 1 tablespoon regular soy sauce

• 2 garlic cloves, minced (or finely grated)

• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (or white vinegar)

• 1 tablespoon Chinese chili oil (use more/less to taste)

• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar

• 1 teaspoon sesame oil

• 1 teaspoon black sesame seeds

• 2 tablespoons green onion, thinly sliced (optional)

Instructions

1) Prep the cucumbers

Wash the cucumbers well and slice off the ends.

2) Make the spiral cuts (easy method)

You’ll need two chopsticks (or skewers) per cucumber.

1. Place 1 cucumber between the chopsticks so they run lengthwise along both sides.
   This stops your knife from cutting all the way through.

2. Slice on a diagonal across the top of the cucumber—thin slices, close together—until you reach the end.

3. Flip the cucumber over and straight slices on the other side.

4. Now cut the cucumber in half (crosswise) so it’s easier to toss and eat.

Important: The diagonal angle is what creates the spiral effect. If you cut straight across, it won’t “accordion.”

No time for spirals? Thinly slice the cucumbers instead—still great.

3) Salt to remove extra water (don’t skip)

Put the cucumbers in a large bowl. Sprinkle with 2 teaspoons salt and gently massage for 15–20 seconds.

Let sit 5 minutes (up to 10 minutes max).
Then rinse under cold water 3–4 times until the cucumbers no longer taste salty. Drain very well.

Tip: If your cucumbers seem watery, pat them dry with paper towels after draining. It helps the dressing stay punchy.

4) Mix the dressing

In a small bowl, stir together:
soy sauce, garlic, vinegar, chili oil, sugar, black sesame oil, sesame seeds, and green onion.

Stir until the sugar dissolves.

5) Toss and serve

Pour the dressing over the cucumbers and toss gently so you don’t break the spirals.

Eat right away for maximum crunch—or let it sit 10 minutes for a slightly more “pickled” bite.

Saved this one? Pin it for later — share the image below to your Pinterest board so you can come back to this spiral cucumber salad anytime.

Tips & Tricks for the Best Spiral Cucumber Salad

1) The cut that actually works (your method)

• Side #1: slice diagonally (thin, close together)

• Side #2: flip and slice straight across (thin)
  That combo still creates the accordion/spiral effect, and it’s easier to keep consistent than doing diagonal on both sides.

Tip: Use chopsticks (or skewers) as “stops” so you don’t slice all the way through.

2) Don’t skip the salt step—but don’t overdo it

Salting is what keeps the salad from turning watery 10 minutes later.

• 5 minutes is ideal

• 10 minutes max or the cucumbers start to soften and break

After rinsing, drain really well.

3) Drain like you mean it

Watery cucumbers = diluted dressing.

• Shake the colander hard

• If you want the strongest flavor, pat the cucumbers dry with paper towels before dressing

4) Make the dressing smooth (no gritty sugar)

Stir the dressing for 20–30 seconds until the sugar fully dissolves.
If it’s stubborn, let it sit 1 minute, then stir again.

5) Control garlic intensity

Garlic can take over fast in cold salads.

• Minced garlic = balanced

• Grated garlic = sharper, stronger (use less)

6) Chili oil varies a lot

Some chili oils are mild, others are nuclear.

• Start with 2 teaspoons if you’re unsure

• Add more after tasting

7) Black sesame = better when toasted

If your black sesame seeds aren’t toasted, warm them in a dry pan for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
Add them at the end so they stay crisp and nutty.

8) Let it sit (briefly) for max flavor

• Eat right away = maximum crunch

• Rest 10 minutes = dressing soaks into the cuts and tastes more “restaurant-style”

9) Keep leftovers separate (best trick if you meal prep)

If you’re making it ahead:

• Store cucumbers and dressing separately

• Toss right before eating
  This keeps the cucumbers snappy instead of soggy.

10) Quick “save it” fixes

• Too salty after rinsing? Add a splash more vinegar and a pinch of sugar.

• Too sharp? Add ½ tsp more sugar or a few drops of sesame oil.

• Too mild? Add more green onion and a small pinch of salt to the dressing (not the cucumbers).

Some desserts don’t need a special occasion — they just need you to have two sweet potatoes and a little patience. This Japanese sweet potato crème brûlée is one of those “wait…why is this so good?” recipes: fluffy, roasted satsumaimo split open like a little dessert boat, filled with silky vanilla custard, then finished with a thin sugar crust that cracks the second your spoon hits it.

What I love most is how it looks fancy without being fussy. The oven does the heavy lifting, the custard comes together on the stove in a few minutes, and the torch (or broiler) turns the top into that glossy, glassy shell everyone fights over. If you’ve ever wanted a brûlée moment at home without ramekins, water baths, or any stress, this is the one.

Ingredients

• 2 medium to large Japanese sweet potatoes (satsumaimo)

• Olive oil (for the skins)

• 2 egg yolks

• 2 1/2 tablespoons granulated sugar (plus extra for brûlée topping)

• 2 teaspoons cornstarch

• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 1/4 cups heavy cream

Step-by-step instructions (clear + foolproof)

1) Roast the sweet potatoes

1. Heat oven to 425°F (220°C).

2. Scrub the sweet potatoes and dry them well.

3. Lightly rub the skins with a bit of olive oil.

4. Poke 6–8 holes all over each potato with a fork (don’t skip this—they’ll steam inside).

5. Place on a foil-lined baking sheet and roast for 40–55 minutes, depending on size, until a fork slides in easily.

Tip: If they’re very thick, they may take closer to 55–60 minutes. You want them fully soft inside.

2) Make the custard base

While the potatoes roast:

1. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, sugar, cornstarch, and vanilla until smooth and slightly lighter in color.

2. Slowly pour in the heavy cream a little at a time, whisking constantly, until fully combined.

This slow-pour step helps keep the mixture silky and lump-free.

3) Thicken the custard on the stove

1. Pour the mixture into a small saucepan.

2. Set over low heat and stir constantly with a silicone spatula or wooden spoon, making sure you scrape the bottom and corners.

3. After 5–10 minutes, it will start to thicken. Keep stirring until it looks like a pourable pudding that coats the back of a spoon.

Important: Don’t crank the heat. Low and steady prevents scrambled eggs.

4. Immediately scrape the custard into a clean bowl.

4) Chill the custard (so it sets)

1. Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the custard (touching it prevents a skin).

2. Refrigerate for 30–45 minutes, until cooled and thickened (cool is fine—doesn’t need to be exactly room temp).

5) Split the sweet potatoes (without cutting through)

1. When the potatoes are done, let them cool 10–15 minutes so you can handle them.

2. Slice a slit lengthwise across the top of each potato—don’t cut all the way through.

3. Gently press the ends to open the potato a bit, like a little boat.

6) Fill and brûlée the tops

1. Spoon custard into each potato until generously filled.

2. Sprinkle a thin, even layer of granulated sugar over the custard (about 1–2 teaspoons per potato, depending on size).

If using a kitchen torch:

• Torch the sugar in small circles until it melts, bubbles, and turns deep golden.

If using a broiler:

1. Move an oven rack to the highest position.

2. Place filled potatoes on a baking sheet.

3. Broil for 1–3 minutes, watching constantly, until the sugar melts and browns.

Broiler tip: It can go from perfect to burnt fast—don’t walk away.

Save this to your Pinterest board so you don’t lose it—because you will want that crackly top again.

Tips that make it come out better

• Roast until truly soft. Undercooked potatoes taste starchy and won’t mash slightly when opened.

• Keep custard heat low. If it thickens too fast, it can turn grainy.

• Go light on the sugar layer. A thin layer brûlées into a crisp shell; a thick layer can taste bitter.

• No torch? Broiler works—just stay glued to the oven door.

Storage

This dessert is best right after brûléeing (that crackly top is the whole point).
If you want to prep ahead:

• Make custard up to 2 days ahead and refrigerate.

• Roast potatoes up to 1 day ahead, rewarm slightly, fill, then brûlée right before serving.

Some recipes earn a permanent spot in your “make it again” list, and this Thai cucumber salad is one of mine. It’s cold and crunchy, with that bright lime bite up front, a little sweetness to round it out, and just enough chili heat to keep things interesting. The fish sauce doesn’t make it taste fishy—it just gives the dressing that savory, restaurant-style depth that makes you go back for another forkful.

I reach for this when dinner feels heavy or when I need something fresh on the table fast. It’s the kind of side that plays well with grilled chicken, rice bowls, spicy noodles, or honestly… straight from the bowl while you’re “just tasting.” A quick whisk, a quick toss, a short chill, and it turns into that crisp, punchy salad you’d swear came from your favorite Thai spot.

Ingredients

Dressing

• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice

• 1 teaspoon fish sauce

• 1 tablespoon sugar

• 1 chili pepper, thinly sliced (remove seeds for less heat)

• 1 clove garlic, finely chopped or grated

• 2 tablespoons avocado oil (or canola)

Salad

• 2 English cucumbers, halved lengthwise, seeded, and thinly sliced

• 1/2 cup chopped cilantro

• 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced

• Kosher salt, to taste

• 1/2 cup roasted peanuts, chopped (optional)

Instructions

1) Prep the cucumbers so the salad stays crunchy

1. Slice each cucumber lengthwise.

2. Use a spoon to scrape out the watery seeds (this keeps the dressing from getting diluted).

3. Thinly slice into half-moons.

Optional (but worth it): Put the sliced cucumbers in a colander, sprinkle with a pinch of salt, and let them sit 10 minutes. Pat dry with paper towels. This pulls out extra water and makes the salad extra crisp.

2) Make the lime dressing

In a large bowl, whisk together:

• lime juice

• fish sauce

• sugar

• chili slices

• garlic

• avocado oil

Whisk until the sugar looks mostly dissolved (it doesn’t have to be perfect).

3) Toss everything together

Add the cucumbers, cilantro, and red onion to the bowl. Toss well so every slice gets coated.

4) Chill (or serve right away)

• Best: Refrigerate 15–30 minutes so the flavors soak in.

• Fine: Serve immediately if you’re in a hurry.

5) Finish and taste

Right before serving, taste and adjust:

• Needs more pop? Add a squeeze of lime.

• Too sharp? Add a tiny pinch more sugar.

• Not salty enough? Add a few drops more fish sauce or a small pinch of salt.

Top with chopped roasted peanuts if using.

If this cucumber salad hit the spot, do me a quick favor—save the pin below to your Pinterest board so you can find it fast next time you’re craving something crunchy and fresh (and it helps other people discover it too).

Tips & Tricks for the Best Cucumber Salad

• Use English cucumbers if you can. They’re crisp, thin-skinned, and don’t need peeling. If you’re using regular cucumbers, peel them and scrape out the seeds so the salad doesn’t get watery.

• Seed the cucumbers (don’t skip it). That soft, wet center is what thins out the dressing. A quick scrape with a spoon keeps everything snappy.

• Salt the cucumbers for extra crunch. After slicing, sprinkle with a pinch of kosher salt, let sit 10 minutes, then pat dry. This pulls out excess water and keeps the salad crisp longer.

• Dissolve the sugar fully. Whisk the dressing for a good 20–30 seconds. If the sugar isn’t dissolved, you’ll taste random sweet spots instead of a smooth balance.

• Chili heat is easy to control.

  • Mild: remove seeds and white ribs.

  • Spicy: keep seeds, or add a little more chili.

  • Using flakes? Start with 1/4 tsp—they build fast.

• Slice everything thin and even. Thin cucumbers and onion soak up the dressing better and are easier to eat. A mandoline helps, but a sharp knife works fine.

• Let it chill, but not forever. The sweet spot is 15–30 minutes in the fridge. It gets more flavorful without losing that fresh crunch. After a few hours it’s still good, just softer.

• Add peanuts right before serving. If you mix them in early, they soften. Toss them on top at the end for the best crunch.

• Taste and adjust.

  • More lime = brighter

  • A few extra drops of fish sauce = deeper and saltier

  • A small pinch of sugar = smoother and less sharp

• Make it a meal. Add shredded chicken, shrimp, or a handful of edamame and you’ve got an easy lunch bowl.