Step 1

Lay the cucumber on a chopping board and smack it hard a few times with the flat blade of a Chinese cleaver or with a rolling pin. Then cut it, lengthways, into four pieces. Hold your knife at an angle to the chopping board and cut the cucumber on the diagonal into 1/8- to 3/8-inch slices.

Step 2

Place in a bowl with the salt, mix well and set aside for about 10 minutes.

Step 3

Combine all the other ingredients (garlic, sugar, soy sauce, vinegar, chile oil and Sichuan pepper, if using) in a small bowl.

Step 4

Drain the cucumber, pour the sauce over them, stir well and serve.