Tiger Salad (Lao Hu Cai)

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 0 minutes

Total time: 15 minutes

Servings: 4 servings

Country of Origin

China (Northeastern / Dongbei)

Description

A fiercely vibrant, punchy cold salad that earns its name from its sharp, biting, and untamed flavor profile. It is a coarse, fresh tumble of crisp cilantro leaves, sweet green peppers, and crunchy scallions dressed minimally in toasted sesame oil and salt to let the natural peppery heat of the raw aromatics shine.

Presentation & How It's Eaten

Served piled loosely and high in a rustic bowl. It looks like a wild, textural cluster of varied greens and is enjoyed as an intense, crisp palate cleanser alongside rich, fatty meats or barbecue.

Ingredients

• 1 large bunch fresh cilantro (approx. 2 cups coarsely chopped, stems included)

• 1 long green Anaheim pepper or banana pepper (sliced into thin matchsticks)

• 4 large scallions (cut into 2-inch long thin julienne strips)

• 1 crisp Persian cucumber (cut into thin matchsticks)

The Minimal Dressing:

• 1.5 tbsp pure toasted sesame oil

• 1/2 tsp fine sea salt

• 1/2 tsp granulated sugar

• 1 tsp rice vinegar (optional, for a light tang)

Step-by-Step Directions

1. Prep Cilantro: Wash the cilantro thoroughly and spin or pat it completely dry. Chop it coarsely into large 2-inch pieces. Do not discard the tender stems; they provide the signature crunch of the salad.

2. Julienne Veggies: Core and seed the green pepper, then slice it into matchsticks. Slice the scallions and cucumber into matching thin strips.

3. Combine: Toss the chopped cilantro, green pepper matchsticks, scallion strips, and cucumber matchsticks together in a large mixing bowl.

4. Whisk Dressing: In a tiny cup, stir the toasted sesame oil, sea salt, sugar, and optional rice vinegar together until the salt crystals are dissolved.

5. Dress the Greens: Drizzle the dressing over the salad bowl just minutes before serving.

6. Toss Gently: Use tongs or chopsticks to lift and toss the ingredients gently so you don't bruise the delicate cilantro leaves. Serve cold or at room temperature.

Cooking Tips

• Keep it Coarse: Avoid chopping the ingredients too finely. Tiger salad relies heavily on its rugged, stringy, and wild texture. Keeping the cuts long and coarse preserves the individual crunchy elements and prevents the salad from turning soggy or flat under the oil.

Nutrition Facts

(Estimated per serving)

• Calories: ~50 kcal

• Total Fat: 3.5g

• Saturated Fat: 0.5g

• Cholesterol: 0mg

• Sodium: ~290mg

• Total Carbohydrates: 4g

• Dietary Fiber: 1g

• Sugars: 1.5g

• Protein: 1g