Copycat Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad (5-Minute Viral Side Dish!)

🥢 The Coolest TikTok Salad You’re Not Making Yet

Need a no-cook summer side dish that tastes like it came from a high-end restaurant? This copycat Din Tai Fung cucumber salad delivers that restaurant crunch and flavor in just 5 minutes—no reservations, no waitlist.

Thanks to its viral popularity on TikTok, this recipe has taken over foodie feeds. But the real win? It’s insanely easy to recreate at home using everyday ingredients and zero cooking.

🧑‍🍳 Backstory: My First Bite at Din Tai Fung

I still remember my first bite—cold cucumber, a hit of chili, and just the right amount of garlic. I was hooked. But my wallet? Not so much.

After a few test runs in my kitchen, this DIY Din Tai Fung cucumber salad nails the original: crisp cucumbers, bold tangy dressing, and that addictive chili-garlic flavor.

The best part? You can make it in bulk and eat it all week.—

🛒 Ingredients You’ll Need

Ingredient Why It Works

Persian or mini cucumbers Crunchy, small-seed, skin-on ideal

Kosher salt Pulls out water for max crunch

Rice vinegar light acidity

Soy sauce Savory umami base

Garlic (fresh minced) Sharp flavor punch

Sugar Balances tang + spice

Sesame oil Rich nuttiness

Chili oil or paste Heat with flavor

Optional: sesame seeds Texture & presentation

🔧 Tools You Might Like

> These adjustable mandoline slicers save time and give you perfectly even cucumber slices every time. (As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.)

📋 Recipe Card – Copycat Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad

Yield: 4 servings  Prep Time: 5 minutes  Chill Time: 10 minutes (optional)  Total Time: 15 minutes  Cuisine: Asian, Chinese  Course: Appetizer, Side dish

 Copycat Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad (5-Minute Viral Side Dish!)

Recipe by 30minutebites01@gmail.comCourse: 30-Minute Meals, Quick Lunches, Starters u0026amp; Snacks

Servingsservings

Prep timeminutes

Cooking timeminutes

Calorieskcal

Ingredients

• – 4 Persian cucumbers (or 1 English cucumber)

• – ½ tsp kosher salt

• – 2 cloves garlic, minced

• – 1 tbsp rice vinegar

• – 1 tbsp soy sauce

• – 1 tsp sugar

• – 1 tsp sesame oil

• – 1 tsp chili oil (adjust to taste)

• – Optional: sesame seeds for garnish

Directions

• Slice cucumbers into ¼” rounds. If using English cucumber, peel for softer skin.
• Place in a bowl, sprinkle with salt, and let sit for 5–10 minutes. Pat dry.
• In a separate bowl, mix garlic, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, and chili oil.
• Toss cucumbers with the dressing. Let chill in fridge (optional) for deeper flavor.
• Garnish with sesame seeds before serving.

Notes

• Keep refrigerated for up to 3 days. Best served chilled

🧠 Why This Recipe Works

No cooking required = perfect summer dish

Salting the cucumbers draws out excess water = crispier salad

Flavor balance: sweet, sour, spicy, savory

Restaurant-style presentation, easily elevated with garnishes

Easy to meal prep for busy weekdays or potlucks

🔁 Links To Other Great Recipes To Try

5 No-Cook 30-Minute Summer Dinners – More heat-free ideas

Crispy Smashed Potatoes – Pair this for a viral dinner combo

Frozen Firecracker Cheesecake Bites – Dessert without turning on the oven

💡 Pro Tips

Can’t find chili oil? Sub in Sriracha or a pinch of red pepper flakes in sesame oil.

Too salty? Rinse cucumbers lightly after salting.

Add crunch: Toss in crushed peanuts or crispy onions.

Meal prep hack: Store dressing and cucumbers separately—combine when serving.

💬 Reader Comments

> Rhea: “Better than the restaurant. I added a splash of ponzu and it was chef’s kiss perfection!

”Kevin: “Took this to a BBQ—everyone thought I had it catered!”Tell us what twist you made!

👇Comment below with your favorite way to spice this up!

🙋‍♀️ FAQs

Can I make this ahead of time?Yes! It gets even better after a few hours in the fridge.

Can I use regular cucumbers?You can, but remove seeds and peel them for best results.Is it spicy?

Mildly spicy. Adjust the chili oil to your heat level.

✅ Conclusion

You don’t need to wait in line or drop $12 on a plate of cucumbers anymore. This copycat Din Tai Fung cucumber salad gives you all the crisp, spice, and satisfaction—with none of the wait.

Perfect for parties, meal prep, or solo Netflix snacking, this dish proves once again: TikTok food trends are unstoppable, but recreating them at home is even better.

If you’re obsessed with restaurant dupes, this is your sign to subscribe for more 5-minute foodie hacks.

Tag @30MinuteBites on Instagram and show us your crunchy cucumber creations with #copycatcucumbervibes.