Sunomono (cucumber salad) Recipe – Japanese Cooking 101 (2024)

FAQs

What does the Japanese culinary term sunomono mean? ›

Breaking down the word Sunomono, Su means vinegar and Mono means thing, so Sunomono would mean vinegar thing. This just typically means a dish is vinegar based.

Sunomono (酢の物)

The four recipes are Kyuri-su (cucumber sunomono), Tako-su (octopus sunomono), Kani-su (crab sunomono), and kaiso moriwase-su (mixed seafood sunomono).

Japanese cucumbers are smaller and have few to no seeds, making them a wonderful fresh produce item. They have a smooth dark-green skin with light-green internal flesh. The skin is very tender so there's no need for peeling before eating.

While the Sunomono can be as simple as a small dish of cucumber with some sesame seeds, we often mix in seafood such as Tako (octopus) or crab. Tako Sunomono, or Tako-su for short, can also be seen as an appetizer at many Japanese restaurants.

Sunomono refers to specifically quick pickled cucumbers. Therefore, sunomono is a type of tsukemono.

Buta means "pig" or "pork", and don is short for donburi, the Japanese word for "bowl". Butadon originated from the city of Obihiro, Japan.

Kyuri (cucumber)

They are commonly found raw in salads or as a garnish, or pickled in an iced brine. Kyuri are a popular summer time vegetable.

Japanese cucumbers can grow quite long, commonly being picked when they are at least 12 inches. Like other longer varieties, they are thin skinned and have minimal seeds. They are of the sweetest and most flavorful cucumbers.

Japanese cucumbers are an excellent source of vitamins K, A, and C, folic acid, potassium, and silica, which is a trace mineral that helps strengthen connective tissue. Japanese cucumbers in pickled form are an essential component in Japanese cuisine.

Usually, cucurbitacin stays in the stem and leaves, but it can work its way into the fruit, causing bitter cucumbers. Cucumbers tend to grow bitter when the plant is under stress from inconsistent water, fluctuating temperatures or poor soil. The higher the level of the compound, the more bitter the fruit.

Do Japanese cucumbers taste different? ›

It has a crisp texture and mildly sweet flavor without the bitterness of regular cucumbers.

The best way to keep cucumbers fresh is to store cucumbers in the refrigerator. For optimal taste and freshness, consume the cucumbers within seven to ten days of purchasing them from a grocery store or farmers' market.

In Japan, the octopus is considered a delicacy and is often served raw. It is often seen as a symbol of good luck. In the United States, the octopus is not as popular.

Takoyaki - Japanese Fried Octopus Balls - Tiffy Cooks.

Octopus. You can purchase cooked (boiled) octopus (tako in Japanese) in Japanese grocery stores. If you are going to make this snack for a big party, you can purchase a whole cooked octopus at an online sashimi store like Catalina Offshore.

Sunomono (酢の物), which literally means “vinegared dish” is a traditional Japanese side dish which is made with cucumbers among other things.

"This light, refreshing salad is a great start to any Japanese meal. I enjoy this fresh salad as a starter to a sushi dinner or alone for a light lunch.

Overview. Chūka (中華, short for 中華料理 chūka ryōri, literally "Chinese food") is the adjective for Japanese style "Chinese" dishes, or the restaurants in Japan which serve them.