Steps

1. Rub the cucumbers to remove any bumps or thorns.
   🕒 01:00
2. Sprinkle salt on the cucumbers and let them sit.
   🕒 01:08
3. Trim the ends off the salted cucumbers.
   🕒 01:30
4. Make accordion cuts on 2 cucumbers, being careful not to cut all the way through. This is the key! Make fine, even cuts about halfway down the cucumber, and do the same on the other side.
   🕒 01:49
5. Place the cut cucumbers in 1% salt water and let them sit until softened, for about 30 minutes.
   🕒 02:29
6. In a bowl, mix 100cc vinegar, 100cc water, 3 tbsp sugar, and 1 tbsp light soy sauce. Stir well until the sugar is dissolved to make the sweet and sour marinade.
   🕒 02:43
7. Add the softened cucumbers to the sweet and sour marinade, cover with paper towels, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. This is the key! This sweet and sour marinade is versatile and can be used for various pickled vegetables. It can be stored in the refrigerator for over a week.
   🕒 03:16
8. Cut the marinated cucumbers into bite-sized pieces and arrange them on a plate.
   🕒 04:15
9. Grate 1 cucumber and squeeze out the excess water thoroughly.
   🕒 04:31
10. To the grated cucumber, add 2 tbsp vegetable oil, 2 tbsp vinegar, 1 tsp sugar, 1/2 tsp salt, and a pinch of pepper, and mix well. This is the key! Using olive oil instead of vegetable oil will give it a Western flavor, and adding yuzu pepper or chili powder instead of black pepper for spiciness also tastes great.
    🕒 04:54
11. Chill the prepared dressing thoroughly in the refrigerator.
    🕒 05:32
12. Tear 1/2 head of lettuce into pieces, soak in water to make it crisp, and drain well.
    🕒 05:52
13. Toss the lettuce with the chilled cucumber dressing and serve on a plate.
    🕒 05:56
14. Smash 2 cucumbers with the side of a knife. This is the key! Smashing them creates cracks, making it easier for the seasoning to penetrate.
    🕒 06:11
15. Cut the smashed cucumbers into about 5cm lengths for easy eating.
    🕒 06:36
16. In a bowl, mix 1 tbsp sesame oil, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp vinegar, 1 tsp sugar, 1 tsp grated garlic, 2 tsp white sesame seeds, and a pinch of ichimi. This is the key! You can omit the grated garlic or substitute it with ginger if you prefer. It's recommended to omit it if serving to children.
    🕒 06:47
17. Toss the cut cucumbers with the combined seasonings and chill in the refrigerator until just before serving.
    🕒 07:23
18. Mound the cucumbers high in the center of a serving dish and serve.
    🕒 07:32