Steps

1. Peel the skin off the potatoes and remove any eyes.
   🕒 01:30
2. Cut the peeled potatoes into bite-sized pieces.
   🕒 01:43
3. Place the cut potatoes in a bowl and soak in water for about 5 minutes.
   🕒 01:53
4. Drain the water from the soaked potatoes, cover loosely with plastic wrap, and create one opening for steam to escape.
   🕒 02:12
5. Microwave the potatoes at 600W for 5-6 minutes.
   🕒 02:27
6. After microwaving, confirm they are cooked through by inserting a bamboo skewer. Tilt the bowl to drain any excess moisture.
   🕒 02:37
7. Lightly mash the potatoes while they are still hot.
   🕒 03:05
8. Add 1 tsp sugar, 1 tsp vinegar, 1/2 tsp chicken bouillon powder, and 1/2 tsp dashi powder to the roughly mashed hot potatoes, and mash further while mixing well. 【This is the secret!】 Adding vinegar while hot mellows the sharp acidity. Sugar, dashi powder, and chicken bouillon powder dissolve more easily when added while hot.
   🕒 03:18
9. Spread out the mashed potatoes, cover loosely with paper towels to prevent drying, and let them cool to room temperature. 【This is the secret!】 Be sure to let it cool to prevent the mayonnaise from separating.
   🕒 03:54
10. Trim the ends of the 1 cucumber and slice thinly.
    🕒 04:23
11. Place the thinly sliced cucumber in a bowl, sprinkle with 1/2 tsp salt (not part of the listed seasoning), and salt-rub for about 30 seconds.
    🕒 04:33
12. Leave the salt-rubbed cucumber as is for about 5 minutes.
    🕒 04:53
13. Peel the 50g carrot.
    🕒 05:09
14. Cut the peeled carrot in half, then cut each half in half lengthwise, and then slice thinly.
    🕒 05:15
15. Place the thinly sliced carrot in a microwave-safe container, cover loosely with plastic wrap, create one opening for steam, and microwave at 600W for 1 minute.
    🕒 05:27
16. After microwaving, spread out the carrots and let them cool to room temperature.
    🕒 05:43
17. Stack the 4 slices of ham, cut in half, stack again, and cut into 1cm strips.
    🕒 06:05
18. Loosen the cut ham with your hands.
    🕒 06:15
19. Briefly rinse the cucumber left for 5 minutes under water and squeeze out the moisture tightly.
    🕒 06:28
20. Add the thoroughly cooled potatoes, carrots, squeezed cucumber, and loosened ham to a bowl.
    🕒 06:47
21. Add 2 tsp milk, 3 tbsp mayonnaise, and salt and pepper to taste to the bowl, and mix well. 【This is the secret!】 Adding milk results in a mellow finish.
    🕒 06:52
22. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as desired.
    🕒 07:18
23. Plate and serve.
    🕒 07:20