10/07/2026
We've heard shio-konbu is trending in Korea right now! 🇰🇷✨ Shio-konbu (Japanese Salted Kelp) is one of our absolute favorite Japanese ingredients, and today we will show you how to make a quick cucumber salad, Izakaya style, for our followers all over the world! 🥒🍻
Today's recipe features a brilliant Japanese cooking technique called "Itazuri" (板ずり)—rubbing cucumbers with salt on a cutting board. This simple 1-minute hack makes the surface of the cucumber incredibly smooth and helps it absorb all the delicious seasonings!
Paired with the ultimate UMAMI flavor of shio-konbu and the fun "smashing" method, this will be your new favorite addictive side dish. 🥢
Addictive Izakaya-Style Smashed Cucumbers🥒🍻
🛒 Ingredients (Serves 2):
2 cucumbers (Japanese or Persian cucumbers work best!)
1 tsp. salt (for rubbing/Itazuri)
[A] 2 tbsp. shio-konbu (Japanese Salted Kelp)
[A] 2 tsp. toasted white sesame seeds
[A] 1 tsp. sesame oil
[A] 1/4 tsp. salt
【Steps】
1. Cut off both ends of the cucumbers. Sprinkle with salt and rub them back and forth on a cutting board for about 1 minute (This is "Itazuri"!).
2. Rinse off the salt with water. Place the cucumbers in a plastic bag and gently smash them with a rolling pin. Break them into bite-sized pieces by hand.
3. Squeeze out excess water from the cucumbers and pat them dry with a paper towel. (This keeps the salad crunchy and prevents it from getting watery!)
4. In a bowl, combine the cucumbers and all the [A] ingredients. Mix well until combined.
Tips and Notes:
Serve immediately and enjoy the ultimate Izakaya-style crunch! 🥢
Recipe by Shiori Hara san (Nadia Artist) Translated & brought to you by TOKYO RECIPES 🗼 Find more authentic Japanese recipes at the link in our bio!
https://tokyo-recipes.com/en
