Cold Sesame Noodles Delight (Printable)

Silky sesame sauce coats chilled noodles and fresh veggies for a refreshing, flavorful dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ 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 for vegan)
08 - 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
09 - 2 cloves garlic, finely grated
10 - 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
11 - 1–2 tsp chili oil (optional)
12 - 3–5 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 - 1 handful fresh cilantro, chopped
18 - Crushed roasted peanuts (optional)
19 - Lime wedges (optional)

# Cooking Steps:

01 - Boil noodles according to package directions, drain, then rinse under cold water until completely cooled. Toss with 1 tablespoon sesame oil to prevent sticking.
02 - Whisk together tahini, peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, toasted sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and optional chili oil. Gradually incorporate cold water until a smooth, pourable sauce forms.
03 - Place noodles into a large bowl and thoroughly toss with the prepared sesame sauce to ensure even coating.
04 - Distribute noodles into serving bowls, topping each with julienned cucumber, carrots, spring onions, toasted sesame seeds, chopped cilantro, and optional crushed peanuts. Serve with lime wedges on the side.
05 - For enhanced flavor, chill the assembled dish for 10 to 15 minutes before serving, or serve immediately if preferred.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The sauce is genuinely creamy and rich despite being completely dairy-free, thanks to the magic of tahini and sesame oil.
  • You can make the whole thing in under 30 minutes, and it gets better if you prep it ahead for lunch the next day.
  • One bowl, endless toppings—adjust the crunch and heat level to match whatever mood you're in.
02 -
  • The sauce will thicken slightly as it sits, especially if you chill it, so always hold back a little water when whisking—you can add more easily, but you can't take it out.
  • Cook the noodles until they're cooled completely, not just lukewarm; warm noodles will absorb the sauce too aggressively and turn gluey.
  • Taste the sauce before tossing the noodles—once everything is combined, it's harder to adjust seasoning, so don't be afraid to tweak it now.
03 -
  • Toast your own sesame seeds in a dry pan for two minutes if you have time—they taste exponentially better than the pre-toasted versions that have been sitting around.
  • If you find the sauce too thick or thin on a particular day, cold water is your secret weapon for adjusting consistency without changing the flavor balance.
  • Don't be stingy with the lime juice at the end; it's the final note that makes people say they love this bowl, even if they can't quite figure out why.
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