1-Step 1: Wash and Prepare the Cucumbers Start by giving your cucumbers a good wash under cold running water. Pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels this is important because excess water can dilute your dressing. Trim off both ends of each cucumber, making flat, even cuts so they stand stable during the spiral-cutting process.

2-Step 2: Create the Spiral Slices Here’s where the magic happens. You’ll need two chopsticks (disposable wooden ones work perfectly) and a sharp knife. Place one cucumber between the two chopsticks, positioned parallel to each other. The chopsticks act as a guard, preventing you from cutting all the way through. Make thin diagonal slices along the top of the cucumber at a 45-degree angle, cutting down until your knife hits the chopsticks. The chopsticks stop the blade, leaving the bottom intact. Space your cuts about 1/8 to 1/4 inch apart for the best results. Flip the cucumber over and repeat the same diagonal slicing on the other side. Now cut the cucumber in half crosswise. When you gently pull on the ends, it should fan out into a beautiful spiral shape. Repeat this process with all six cucumbers.

3-Step 3: Salt and Drain the Cucumbers Transfer your spiral-cut cucumbers to a large bowl. Sprinkle with the 2 teaspoons of salt and give them a gentle massage with your hands, making sure each piece gets coated. This isn’t just for seasoning the salt draws out excess moisture from the cucumbers. Let them sit for exactly 5 minutes. Don’t go longer than 10 minutes, or the cucumbers will become too soft and salty. You’ll notice water pooling at the bottom of the bowl that’s exactly what you want to eliminate.

4-Step 4: Rinse and Drain Thoroughly After the salting period, rinse the cucumbers under cold running water. Do this 3-4 times to remove all the excess salt. Taste a small piece if it still seems very salty, rinse one more time. Drain the cucumbers well in a colander, then transfer to a clean kitchen towel and pat dry. The drier your cucumbers, the better your dressing will coat them.

5-Step 5: Prepare the Dressing While the cucumbers are draining, whisk together your dressing ingredients in a separate bowl. Combine 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon sugar, 1 teaspoon chili oil, and 1 teaspoon sesame oil. Whisk vigorously until the sugar dissolves and everything is well combined. Pre-mixing the dressing ensures even flavor distribution throughout your salad. The sugar needs that extra whisking time to fully dissolve, so don’t rush this step.

6-Step 6: Combine and Serve Return the drained cucumbers to a clean bowl. Pour the dressing over them and add the 2 tablespoons of sliced green onion. Using your hands or a large spoon, gently toss everything together. The key word here is gently you want to coat the spirals without breaking them apart. Serve immediately for the freshest crunch and most vibrant flavor. If you want a deeper taste, pop the salad in the fridge for an extra 10 minutes of marinating time before serving.