Celery Sunomono is a light and refreshing Japanese-style salad made with crisp celery tossed in a sweet and tangy vinegar dressing, then sprinkled with sesame seeds. While celery isn’t a traditional vegetable in Japanese cuisine, it works surprisingly well in Sunomono. Its fresh, herbal flavor pairs beautifully with the bright sweet-and-sour dressing, creating a clean and vibrant side dish that’s both simple and satisfying.

What’s Celery Sunomono?

Sunomono is a classic Japanese salad made by lightly marinating/pickling vegetables — and sometimes seafood — in a sweetened vinegar dressing. Unlike many Western-style salads, it typically doesn’t include oil, which makes it especially light, clean, and refreshing. Traditional Sunomono often features ingredients such as cucumber, daikon radish, and Wakame seaweed, sometimes paired with seafood like octopus or eel. But the beauty of Sunomono is its simplicity — many vegetables that can be enjoyed raw, such as carrots, cabbage, and even celery, work wonderfully in Sunomono style.

Light, crunchy, and hydrating, celery brings both freshness and gentle nutritional support to your meals. It’s not only delicious in this dish, but also offers several benefits. Celery stalks are rich in potassium, a mineral that helps regulate fluid balance in the body. Getting enough potassium may help reduce water retention and support healthy blood pressure levels. Because potassium is water-soluble, enjoying celery raw — as in Celery Sunomono — is a great way to make the most of its nutrients. Celery also contains dietary fiber, particularly insoluble fiber. This type of fiber absorbs water and adds bulk, helping to support regular and comfortable digestion. In addition, fiber serves as food for beneficial gut bacteria, contributing to a balanced digestive environment.

Rice vinegar has been appreciated for generations not only for its bright, refreshing flavor but also for its gentle health-supporting qualities. It’s often associated with easing fatigue, supporting healthy blood pressure, and helping moderate blood sugar spikes after meals. Rice vinegar also has natural antibacterial properties and is believed to support gut health.

By preparing celery as Sunomono, you bring together the crisp freshness of the vegetable and the soft acidity of rice vinegar. It’s a simple combination, yet one that feels both nourishing and uplifting — a light side dish that refreshes the palate and complements almost any meal.

Tips for Celery Sunomono

Sunomono traditionally doesn’t include oil, but a small splash of sesame oil can add a lovely aroma and subtle richness to the dish. It’s optional, but highly recommended if you enjoy a slightly deeper flavor.
For the best texture, take a moment to remove the tough strings from the celery stalks. This simple extra step gives the salad a smoother, more pleasant mouthfeel and makes each bite even more enjoyable.

We like to add a thin slice of Takanotsume red chili pepper for a gentle kick. If you prefer no heat, simply leave it out — the salad will still be bright and refreshing.
Be sure to adjust the amount of sugar to your taste. Sugar softens the sharpness of the vinegar and creates a more balanced, mellow flavor, so it plays an important role in the dressing. Feel free to reduce or increase it depending on how sweet or tangy you like your Sunomono.
This simple salad pairs well with almost any meal, but it’s especially delicious alongside richer dishes like Tonkatsu. The crisp texture and light acidity help cut through heavier, fried flavors, making each bite feel refreshing.

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