Spicy Sesame Noodle Salad (Printable)

Chilled noodles in a bold sesame-soy-chili dressing with crisp cucumbers, spring onions, and fresh cilantro. Ready in 25 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Noodles

01 - 8.8 oz dried wheat noodles or soba noodles

→ Dressing

02 - 3 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
03 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce
04 - 1.5 tablespoons rice vinegar
05 - 1 tablespoon chili oil
06 - 1 tablespoon smooth peanut butter
07 - 1 teaspoon sugar or honey
08 - 1 garlic clove, finely grated
09 - 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger

→ Vegetables and Toppings

10 - 1 medium cucumber, julienned or thinly sliced
11 - 2 spring onions, thinly sliced
12 - 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
13 - 0.25 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
14 - 0.25 cup roasted peanuts, roughly chopped

# How-To Steps:

01 - Cook noodles according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water until completely cool. Set aside.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, chili oil, peanut butter, sugar, garlic, and ginger until smooth and well combined.
03 - Add the cooled noodles to the bowl with the dressing. Toss well to coat evenly, ensuring all noodles are thoroughly dressed.
04 - Add cucumber, spring onions, and half the sesame seeds, cilantro, and peanuts. Toss gently to combine all ingredients.
05 - Transfer to a serving platter or individual bowls. Sprinkle with remaining sesame seeds, cilantro, and peanuts. Serve immediately or chilled.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It comes together in under half an hour and tastes like you spent all day on it.
  • The dressing is bold and nutty with just enough heat to wake up your palate.
  • You can eat it cold straight from the fridge, making it perfect for meal prep or hot days.
  • It's endlessly adaptable depending on what vegetables or proteins you have on hand.
02 -
  • Rinsing the noodles under cold water is non-negotiable, or they'll turn gummy and stick together in one sad clump.
  • Grate the garlic and ginger finely so they dissolve into the dressing instead of leaving harsh, chunky bits.
  • If you're making this ahead, reserve some dressing on the side and toss it in just before serving to refresh the noodles.
03 -
  • Toast your sesame seeds in a dry pan for a few minutes until fragrant, it makes a noticeable difference in flavor.
  • Use a microplane to grate the garlic and ginger directly into the dressing for maximum flavor and minimal effort.
  • If you don't have chili oil, mix a pinch of red pepper flakes into regular sesame oil and let it sit for a few minutes.
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