Spicy Sesame Noodle Salad (Printable)

Refreshing chilled noodles in a bold sesame-soy-chili dressing with crisp vegetables and fresh herbs. Quick, easy, and vegetarian.

# 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

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Cook the 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.
03 - Add the cooled noodles to the bowl with the dressing. Toss well to coat evenly.
04 - Add cucumber, spring onions, and half the sesame seeds, cilantro, and peanuts. Toss gently to combine.
05 - Transfer to a serving platter or individual bowls. Sprinkle with remaining sesame seeds, cilantro, and peanuts. Serve immediately or chilled.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together faster than takeout and tastes like you put in way more effort than you actually did.
  • The balance of heat, tang, and toasted sesame is so good you might forget to share.
  • You can eat it cold straight from the fridge the next day and it somehow tastes even better.
02 -
  • Rinsing the noodles under cold water is non-negotiable, skip it and you'll end up with a gummy clump instead of silky strands.
  • Make the dressing first and taste it before adding the noodles, it's way easier to adjust the balance when it's just sauce in a bowl.
03 -
  • Toast your sesame seeds in a dry pan until they smell nutty and start to pop, it takes two minutes and makes a huge difference.
  • If you can't find chili oil, mix a neutral oil with red pepper flakes and let it sit for ten minutes before using.
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