Description
Cold Sesame Noodles is a refreshing and flavorful Asian-inspired dish featuring tender noodles coated in a creamy, tangy sesame sauce. Enhanced with fresh cucumber, green onions, and toasted sesame seeds, this easy no-cook recipe makes a perfect main course or side dish that can be served cold or at room temperature. Ideal for warm days or meal prep, it’s a versatile vegan and vegetarian-friendly meal packed with savory, nutty, and slightly sweet flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Noodles
- 12 ounces spaghetti or Chinese wheat noodles
Sesame Sauce
- 3 tablespoons sesame paste or tahini
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon honey or sugar
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 2 to 3 tablespoons warm water (to thin sauce)
Toppings
- 1 cucumber, julienned
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
- Optional: shredded carrots
- Optional: crushed peanuts
- Optional: chili oil
Instructions
- Cook the noodles: Cook the noodles according to the package instructions until they reach an al dente texture. Once cooked, drain them thoroughly.
- Rinse and cool noodles: Rinse the noodles under cold running water until they are completely cooled to stop the cooking process and prevent stickiness. Drain well to remove excess water.
- Prepare the sauce: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the sesame paste or tahini, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey or sugar, minced garlic, grated fresh ginger, and 2 to 3 tablespoons of warm water. Whisk until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Adjust the consistency by adding more water if needed.
- Toss noodles with sauce: Add the cooled noodles to the bowl with the sauce and toss thoroughly until every strand is evenly coated with the creamy sesame dressing.
- Add toppings: Top the dressed noodles with julienned cucumber, sliced green onions, and toasted sesame seeds. For added flavor and texture, optionally add shredded carrots, crushed peanuts, and a drizzle of chili oil.
- Serve: Serve the noodles cold or at room temperature as a refreshing main course or side dish.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, drizzle chili oil over the noodles or sprinkle crushed red pepper flakes.
- These noodles can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Stir well before serving to redistribute the sauce evenly.
- Use maple syrup if making the recipe vegan instead of honey.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Side Dish
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Asian, Chinese
