Cucumbers

Cucumber / xiyar

Flavor and role

Watery, cool and crunchy. Eaten raw or salted.

Typical dishes and uses

Tzatziki and cacik, Greek salad, Korean cucumber salad (oi muchim), chilled soup, served with pad thai and fresh spring rolls.

Substitutes

Zucchini (raw, thinly sliced), celery (for crunch). For tzatziki, salt the cucumber and squeeze out the water.

Storage

Refrigerate 1 week. Too cold and they go soft, so wrap in newspaper and keep in the vegetable drawer.

Main countries

China · Türkiye · Korea

Used in this book

Nasi GorengSouvlakiNasi LemakBánh Mì Thịt Nướng (Grilled Pork Bánh Mì)Cơm Tấm Sườn Nướng (Broken Rice with Grilled Pork Chop)FattoushGado-GadoAndalusian GazpachoGreek salad (horiatiki)Pork Gyros PitaHainanese chicken riceJjajangmyeon (Korean Black Bean Noodles)Larb Gai (Thai Minced Chicken Salad)Mul-naengmyeon (Cold Buckwheat Noodles in Icy Beef Broth)SabichChicken Satay (Sate Ayam)Miso-sesame baba ganoushCrackling Roast Pork Bánh Mì (Bánh Mì Heo Quay)Bulgogi Kimchi Bánh MìBánh Mì Rice BowlCrispy Bánh Xèo Shrimp Salad BowlRed-Braised Beef Rice BowlCrispy Bibimbap Rice BitesBún Chả Burger with Pickled Carrot and Sriracha MayoChicken Tikka Burrito with Mint RaitaNikkei Salmon Ceviche with Soy and SesameShrimp Ceviche Tostadas with Avocado CremaChicken Biryani BurritoBiryani Chicken Rice BowlChicken Karahi TacosWine-Braised Chicken Paprikash with Butter Nokedli and Cucumber SaladCharcoal Cơm Tấm Sườn Chả with Steamed Egg MeatloafPerilla Oil Chicken Bibim-Kalguksu BowlFalafel Banh Mi with Quick Pickles and Sriracha Tahini MayoBaked Falafel Crunch BowlRestaurant-style fattoush with za'atar pita crisps and pomegranateMexican-style fattoush with tortilla crisps and avocadoLabneh fattoush toastSmashed Potato Salmon BowlWhipped Ful & Tahini Toast with Za'atarGado-Gado with Pressed Rice Cakes and Shrimp-Paste Peanut SauceGado-Gado Rice Paper RollsCrispy Smashed Potato Gado-Gado PlatterMacerated Gazpacho with Garlic CroutonsMexican-Style Jalapeño-Lime GazpachoGazpacho Granita Tomato & Burrata SaladCoconut-Poached Pork and Tiger Prawn Summer RollsSalmon Poke Summer RollsMarinated-feta horiatiki with tomato-water dressingHoriatiki-fattoush with za'atar fetaWhipped feta horiatiki toastGreen Curry Fried Rice with Crispy Fried EggWasabi-Miso Guacamole with Sesame Gyoza ChipsStacked Gyros Loaf with Sumac Onions and Dill TzatzikiGyros al Pastor Tacos with Charred Pineapple and Lime TzatzikiSheet-Pan Gyros Nachos with Pita Chips and Whipped FetaSlow-poached Hainanese chicken riceHainanese chicken sandoGanjjajang with Pork Shoulder and Crispy Fried EggMasala Kartoffelpuffer with Mint Raita (German x Indian)Beef & Braised Burdock Kimbap with Rolled OmeletteTeriyaki Salmon Avocado KimbapGochujang köfte lettuce wraps (ssam)Lu Rou Tacos with Quick Cucumber PicklesMomo Smash Tacos with Achar MayoPyongyang-Style Mul-naengmyeon with Brisket and ShankGazpacho Tomato NaengmyeonBibim-naengmyeon GimbapNasi Goreng Spesial with Prawns and Crispy ShallotsNasi Lemak with Spiced Fried Chicken (Ayam Goreng Berempah)Sambal Anchovy Coconut OnigiriSambal Fried Chicken Nasi Lemak BurgerNyama Choma Gua Bao with Kachumbari Slaw and Pili-Pili Mayo (Kenyan x Taiwanese)Gochujang Salmon Poke BowlRendang beef tacosSabich with Haminados Eggs and ZhugEggplant Katsu Sabich SandoSabich Deviled EggsChicken Satay Tacos with Acar PicklesSatay Chicken Rice Bowl with Crispy ShallotsCold Shabu Salad Bowl with Sesame PonzuTeriyaki Salmon Smørrebrød with Wasabi MayoCrunchy Rye Smørrebrød Bowl with Jammy EggsSom Tam Summer RollsMasala Buttermilk Fried Chicken with Mint RaitaPork Neck Souvlaki with Homemade Yogurt FlatbreadGochujang Pork Souvlaki Wrap with Sesame TzatzikiSouvlaki Loaded FriesSuya Steak Crunch Salad with Peanut-Lime DressingRestaurant-Style Köttbullar PlateShrimp Tempura OnigirazuCaramel Pork and Egg Mayo ToastTom Kha Creamy Chicken Rice BowlCrispy Tofu-Pouch Udon Salad Bowl

Updated 2026-10-10