Explosively Refreshing Cucumber ‘Tang Tang Yi’
Kim Ga-yeon’s Signature Cucumber ‘Tang Tang Yi’ from ‘Pyeonstaurant’! A Burst of Sweet and Sour Flavors in this Delightful Cucumber Dish.
I usually prefer my cucumbers mixed with spicy gochujang sauce, but when I saw Kim Ga-yeon’s ‘Cucumber Tang Tang Yi’ on ‘Pyeonstaurant’, I was intrigued! This recipe, seasoned with vinegar and sugar, offers an explosion of sweet and sour flavors that’s incredibly refreshing. It’s also super simple to make, making it a perfect light dish for hot summer days. If you love the crisp, tangy taste of cucumbers, I highly recommend giving this unique dish a try!
Main Ingredients- 3 fresh cucumbers
- A pinch of baking soda (for washing cucumbers)
Sweet & Sour Dressing- 0.5 Tbsp coarse salt (for seasoning)
- 1 Tbsp granulated sugar (for sweetness)
- 1.5 Tbsp double-strength vinegar (for tanginess)
- 2 Tbsp minced fresh garlic (for flavor)
- 2 Tbsp ground sesame seeds (for nutty depth)
- 2 Tbsp whole sesame seeds (for garnish and aroma)
- 0.5 Tbsp coarse salt (for seasoning)
- 1 Tbsp granulated sugar (for sweetness)
- 1.5 Tbsp double-strength vinegar (for tanginess)
- 2 Tbsp minced fresh garlic (for flavor)
- 2 Tbsp ground sesame seeds (for nutty depth)
- 2 Tbsp whole sesame seeds (for garnish and aroma)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare your three fresh cucumbers. Sprinkle a bit of baking soda onto the cucumber skins and gently rub them with your hands to wash them thoroughly. This method helps to remove any dirt or residue from the cucumber’s textured surface.
Step 2
After washing, use a vegetable peeler to lightly scrape off the bumpy outer layer of the cucumbers. Then, trim off both ends of each cucumber.
Step 3
Now, it’s time to ‘tang tang’ (hit and break) the cucumbers into bite-sized pieces. Using a rolling pin or the back of a knife, gently tap all over the cucumber. Once the cucumber feels slightly softened, press down with the end of the rolling pin or the tip of the knife as if you’re splitting it in half. This technique helps to break the cucumber naturally while preserving its crispness. Finally, cut the cucumbers into roughly 2-3 cm pieces.
Step 4
If any cucumber pieces are too long or large, use a knife to trim them down to a more manageable size. Aim for pieces that are easy to eat in one bite.
Step 5
Prepare the minced garlic for the dressing. If you have whole garlic cloves, mince them finely with a knife until you have about 2 tablespoons. Using freshly minced garlic will add a deeper, more robust flavor.
Step 6
Now, let’s make the sweet and sour dressing. In a bowl, combine 0.5 Tbsp salt, 1 Tbsp granulated sugar, and 1.5 Tbsp double-strength vinegar according to the recipe. Stir well until the sugar is completely dissolved and there are no clumps. Feel free to adjust the sugar and vinegar to your taste.
Step 7
Add the 2 tablespoons of minced garlic to the dressing and mix. Then, gently add the ‘tang tang’ prepared cucumbers to the bowl. Toss everything together gently so the dressing coats the cucumbers evenly, being careful not to mash them.
Step 8
Finally, add 2 tablespoons of ground sesame seeds and 2 tablespoons of whole sesame seeds to enhance the nutty aroma. Give it another gentle toss to combine. Your delicious Cucumber Tang Tang Yi is almost ready!
Step 9
Transfer the finished Cucumber Tang Tang Yi to a serving plate. The delightful combination of sweet and sour flavors with the fresh cucumber aroma is ready to tantalize your taste buds! It’s a perfect side dish or even a great appetizer.
