Restaurant: The Living Kitchen at Zoku Amsterdam
Chef: Sous Chef Ariq Effendi
Working at Zoku since: 2025
How would you describe the Plantage neighbourhood?
A lively and welcoming neighbourhood, full of hidden gems and beautiful places waiting to be discovered.
Why did you choose this recipe?
It’s an easy and delicious recipe made with wonderful seasonal ingredients. Especially on warm summer days, you don’t want to spend too much time in the kitchen. This salad comes together in no time, is wonderfully refreshing and full of flavour.
Recipe: Refreshing Summer Watermelon Salad Perfect for hot summer days! The fried basil adds a delicious crispy crunch, but you can also simply slice the basil into thin strips and sprinkle it over the salad.
Watermelon salad with feta, red onion, mint, fried basil and pickled cucumber
Ingredients
- 1 sweet seedless watermelon, cut into cubes of about 3 × 3 cm
- Juice of 1 lime (about 10 ml)
- Zest of 1 lime
- 250 g Greek feta, crumbled or cut into cubes
- 2 red onions, thinly sliced
- 30 g fresh mint, finely sliced
- 60 g fresh basil
- 2 cucumbers, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- A pinch of salt
- 100 ml olive oil (or use a deep fryer)
Method
- Heat the olive oil in a small saucepan or frying pan to 175°C (or preheat your deep fryer).
- Warm the rice vinegar with a pinch of salt until it just starts to simmer. Pour it over the cucumber slices and leave to cool.
- Toss the watermelon cubes with the lime juice and lime zest, then leave to marinate for a few minutes.
- Fry the basil leaves for about 5 seconds at 175°C. Drain on kitchen paper.
- Combine the watermelon, pickled cucumber, red onion and mint. Scatter the feta over the top and finish with the crispy fried basil.
Enjoy this fresh, crunchy salad on a warm summer’s day! 🌞🥗
Curious about Zoku’s restaurant? Visit their website and reserve your table! Tip: they have a wonderful rooftop terrace with beautiful views over Amsterdam.