Spicy Sesame Noodle Salad (Printable)

Vibrant chilled noodles in sesame-soy-chili dressing with crisp cucumbers, spring onions, and fresh herbs. Easy, vegetarian, and dairy-free.

# 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, optional
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, optional

# 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 if using, sugar, garlic, and ginger until smooth.
03 - Add cooled noodles to the bowl with dressing. Toss well to coat evenly.
04 - Add cucumber, spring onions, and half the sesame seeds, cilantro, and peanuts if using. 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 tastes better cold, so you can make it ahead and let the flavors soak in while you do something else.
  • The chili oil gives it just enough kick to feel exciting without burning your mouth off.
  • You can eat it straight from the fridge at midnight and feel like youre treating yourself, not just scrounging.
02 -
  • Rinse the noodles thoroughly under cold water or theyll stick together in a gummy clump and ruin the texture.
  • Taste the dressing before adding the noodles, you want it slightly stronger than you think because the noodles will dilute it.
  • If you make this ahead, hold back some of the dressing and toss it in just before serving so the noodles dont soak it all up.
03 -
  • Use kitchen shears to cut the spring onions directly over the bowl, it saves time and a cutting board.
  • Toast extra sesame seeds and keep them in a jar, theyll make everything you cook taste more intentional.
  • If the dressing seems too thick, whisk in a teaspoon of warm water at a time until it loosens up and coats the noodles easily.
Go Back