Tako Sunomono (Octopus Salad) is yet another variation of Sunomono, sliced vegetables soaked in sweet vinegar sauce. While the Sunomono can be as simple as a small dish of cucumber with some sesame seeds, we often mix in seafood such as Tako (octopus) or crab.
Tako Sunomono, or Tako-su for short, can also be seen as an appetizer at many Japanese restaurants. If you have made Sunomono before, you can simply add some slices of boiled or sashimi grade octopus (you can find them at Japanese supermarkets.) We like to add some thinly sliced fresh ginger for a refreshing flavor. Feel free to add sesame seeds or squeeze lemon juice if you like!
Tako Sunomono (Octopus Salad) Recipe
Octopus and cucumber salad with a rice vinegar dressing
Ingredients
- 2 Japanese or 3 Persian cucumbers
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 – 1/2 lb octopus
- 1 tbsp dried Wakame seaweed (rehydrated in water)
- 3 Tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1/4 tsp soy sauce
- ginger (peeled and thinly sliced)
Instructions
- Slice cucumbers thinly and place them in a bowl. Stir in salt, and let it sit for 5 minutes. Squeeze water out from cucumbers.
- Slice boiled or sashimi grade octopus thinly.
- In a bowl, mix rice vinegar, sugar, and soy sauce together until sugar dissolves. Add cucumbers, sliced octopus, and wakame seaweed. Mix in (or top with) sliced ginger.
Video
7 Comments
What is the yield?
Grande Chef,
about 4 servings.
Where do you purchase the Tako? Is it already cooked or do you have to cook it? Also, where do you purchase sushi grade Tuna?
Doumo arigatou gozaimasu.
Terri,
Tako is almost always sold boiled. Japanese grocery stores like Nijiya and Mitsuwa. If they are not near you, you could try other Asian Stores or an online store like Catalina Offshore Products.
I ordered Tako from “Fresh Direct” and then I saw your video the same day!
Arigato!!! I can’t wait to make! OISHI!
I live in an area where there are no Japanese markets. And the mail order option you provided is obscenely expensive (not even sure they carry tako last time I looked). There are quite a few Asian markets in my area that sell raw octopus. Could you please provide instructions & a recipe on how to prep these for Tako Sunomono? Thanks!
This is delicious side dish. Thank you for the recipe. For the folks that can’t find Tako, try cooked shrimp.