Sichuan Spiced Cucumber (Suan La Huang Gua / 酸辣黄瓜)
Sichuan Province — national Chinese technique
One of the simplest and most refreshing Sichuan preparations: cucumber smashed with a cleaver and dressed with garlic, sesame oil, Zhenjiang vinegar, chilli oil, Sichuan pepper, and a little sugar. The smashing (not slicing) creates irregular surfaces that absorb the dressing more effectively. A ubiquitous starter at Sichuan restaurants and Chengdu street stalls.