California Roll Cucumber Salad (Printable Version)

Crisp cucumbers with imitation crab, sesame mayo, and nori strips—all the flavors of a California roll in a bowl.

# Ingredient List:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 large cucumbers, thinly sliced
02 - 2 scallions, finely chopped

→ Protein

03 - 1 cup imitation crab sticks, shredded

→ Dressing

04 - 1/3 cup mayonnaise, preferably Japanese Kewpie
05 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
06 - 1 teaspoon soy sauce
07 - 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil

→ Toppings

08 - 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
09 - 2 sheets roasted seaweed (nori), cut into thin strips
10 - 1 tablespoon pickled ginger, chopped

# How to Make:

01 - Combine sliced cucumbers and shredded imitation crab in a large mixing bowl.
02 - Whisk together mayonnaise, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and toasted sesame oil in a small bowl until smooth and fully emulsified.
03 - Pour dressing over cucumber and crab mixture. Toss gently to ensure even coating without crushing ingredients.
04 - Mix in scallions and half the sesame seeds. Fold lightly to distribute evenly.
05 - Transfer to serving platter or individual bowls. Top with nori strips, remaining sesame seeds, and pickled ginger. Serve immediately.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It delivers all the creamy, tangy, sesame-rich satisfaction of a California roll without any rice or rolling required.
  • The cucumbers stay crisp and cool, making it the kind of salad that actually refreshes you on a warm day.
  • You can prep everything in under fifteen minutes and still feel like you made something special.
  • It works beautifully as a light lunch, a potluck side, or even a palate cleanser between heavier dishes.
02 -
  • If you add the nori too early, it will lose its crispness and turn chewy, so always add it at the last possible moment.
  • Slicing the cucumbers paper-thin makes a huge difference in how well they absorb the dressing and how elegant the salad looks.
  • If you can't find Kewpie mayo, regular mayo mixed with a tiny squeeze of lemon juice and a pinch of sugar will get you close.
03 -
  • Use a mandoline or a sharp knife to get paper-thin cucumber slices; uneven cuts lead to uneven texture.
  • Toast your sesame seeds yourself in a dry skillet for a few minutes; the aroma is incomparably better than pre-toasted.
  • If you love the flavor of nori, crumble a bit of it directly into the dressing before tossing for an extra layer of oceanic flavor.
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