Cold Sesame Noodles Dish (Printer View)

Tender noodles tossed in a creamy sesame sauce with fresh veggies for a crisp, flavorful meal.

# Components:

→ Noodles

01 - 12 oz wheat noodles or spaghetti
02 - 1 tbsp sesame oil

→ Sauce

03 - 4 tbsp tahini or Chinese sesame paste
04 - 2 tbsp smooth peanut butter
05 - 3 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
06 - 2 tbsp rice vinegar
07 - 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
08 - 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
09 - 2 cloves garlic, finely grated
10 - 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
11 - 1 to 2 tsp chili oil (optional)
12 - 3 to 5 tbsp cold water (to adjust consistency)

→ Vegetables & Toppings

13 - 1 medium cucumber, julienned
14 - 2 medium carrots, julienned
15 - 2 spring onions, thinly sliced
16 - 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
17 - Handful fresh cilantro, chopped
18 - Crushed roasted peanuts (optional)
19 - Lime wedges (optional)

# Method:

01 - Prepare noodles according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water until completely cooled. Toss with sesame oil to prevent sticking.
02 - Combine tahini, peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey or maple syrup, toasted sesame oil, grated garlic, grated ginger, and optional chili oil in a bowl. Whisk in cold water gradually until the sauce is smooth and pourable.
03 - Place cooled noodles in a large bowl. Add sauce and toss thoroughly to coat evenly.
04 - Divide noodles among serving bowls. Top with julienned cucumber and carrots, sliced spring onions, toasted sesame seeds, chopped cilantro, and optional crushed peanuts. Serve with lime wedges if desired.
05 - Refrigerate for 10–15 minutes to enhance flavors or serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's ready in under 30 minutes and tastes even better cold from the fridge the next day.
  • The sesame sauce is silky enough that you'll want to drink it straight from the bowl—no judgment.
  • You can prep everything hours ahead and assemble in minutes, making it the ultimate make-ahead lunch.
02 -
  • Tahini separates in the jar—stir it thoroughly or the sauce will be grainy and the oil pools on top, which I learned the hard way.
  • Cold water is essential for whisking the sauce; warm water will cause the tahini to seize into clumps that never fully smooth out again.
  • The sauce thickens as it sits, especially overnight, so make it slightly thinner than your ideal consistency and it'll be perfect the next day.
03 -
  • Use a microplane grater for the garlic and ginger so they integrate into the sauce invisibly instead of creating little chunks.
  • Taste the sauce before adding it to the noodles—seasoning a warm sauce is much easier than trying to fix it after the noodles soak everything up.
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