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- 8 oz soba noodles (or any preferred noodles) - 2 tablespoons sesame oil - 2 tablespoons soy sauce - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar - 1 teaspoon chili paste (adjust for spice level) - 1 tablespoon peanut butter or tahini - 1 teaspoon grated ginger The main ingredients create the base of our dish. Soba noodles give a great texture. You can use any noodle you love. Sesame oil adds a nutty flavor that really shines. Soy sauce and rice vinegar bring saltiness and tang. Chili paste adds heat, so you can adjust it. Peanut butter or tahini gives richness and a creamy mouthfeel. Grated ginger adds a fresh note and a nice zing. - 2 green onions, sliced - 1 small cucumber, julienned - 1 carrot, julienned - Fresh cilantro for garnish Fresh ingredients add crunch and color. Green onions give a mild onion flavor. Cucumber adds freshness and a cool bite. Carrots bring sweetness and a vibrant orange hue. Fresh cilantro enhances the dish with its unique taste. These veggies make the dish pop and are fun to eat! - 1 clove garlic, minced - 1 tablespoon sesame seeds Garlic adds depth and a savory kick to the dish. Sesame seeds provide a nice crunch and a hint of nuttiness. These seasonings round out the flavor profile, making the dish even more delicious. Mix everything well, and you will enjoy a perfect blend of tastes! {{ingredient_image_1}} To start, bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Use enough water to cover the noodles fully. Once boiling, add 8 oz of soba noodles. Cook them according to the package instructions, usually about 4-5 minutes. When the noodles are ready, drain them well. Rinse them under cold water to stop the cooking process. This helps keep them firm and prevents sticking. Set the noodles aside while you prepare the dressing. Now, let’s make the dressing. In a small bowl, add 2 tablespoons of sesame oil, 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, and 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar. Next, add 1 teaspoon of chili paste for heat, but you can adjust this based on your spice level. Then, stir in 1 tablespoon of peanut butter or tahini, 1 teaspoon of grated ginger, and 1 clove of minced garlic. Whisk all these ingredients together until smooth. Taste the dressing and add more chili paste if you want it spicier. In a large mixing bowl, add the cold noodles. Pour the dressing over the noodles and toss them gently. Make sure the noodles are evenly coated. Next, it’s time to add the veggies. Add the sliced green onions, julienned cucumber, and julienned carrot to the bowl. Toss everything together until the vegetables are well mixed. Now, transfer the spicy sesame cold noodles to a serving platter or individual bowls. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top and garnish with fresh cilantro. Enjoy your meal! To get the best taste in your spicy sesame cold noodles, adjust the chili paste. You can add more or less based on your spice preference. If you want a mild dish, start with a small amount. Taste as you mix the dressing. For spicy lovers, feel free to add extra chili paste. This way, you create a perfect balance of flavor and heat just for you. Serving your noodles well can impress anyone. Try using a shallow bowl for a lovely look. Create a nest with the noodles in the center. Layer the julienned cucumber and carrot on top. Sprinkle sesame seeds over everything for a nice touch. You can also add a wedge of lime on the side. The lime gives a fresh squeeze that brightens the dish. Feel free to play with different noodles or ingredients. Soba noodles are great, but you can use rice noodles or even spaghetti. Each noodle brings its own charm. You can also swap peanut butter with tahini for a richer taste. Adding different vegetables, like bell peppers or snap peas, can change the dish too. This lets you make the recipe your own and enjoy new flavors. Pro Tips Adjust the Spice Level: Feel free to modify the amount of chili paste based on your preference for heat. Start with a small amount and gradually increase to find your perfect balance. Chill the Noodles: After rinsing the noodles, let them sit in cold water for a few minutes to ensure they are thoroughly chilled, enhancing the refreshing quality of this dish. Extra Crunch: For added texture, consider incorporating other crunchy vegetables like bell peppers or radishes, which will not only enhance the flavor but also provide more color. Make Ahead: This dish can be prepared in advance. Store the noodles and dressing separately to keep everything fresh, and combine them just before serving. {{image_2}} You can easily make this dish vegetarian or vegan. Simply swap the peanut butter with tahini, if you like. Use soy sauce as your base. You can also add more vegetables. Try bell peppers, snap peas, or broccoli. These will add color and nutrition. You can make these noodles fit your needs! For extra protein, add some chicken, shrimp, or tofu. Cook the chicken or shrimp until it's done. Tofu can be marinated and sautéed for flavor. Cut the protein into bite-sized pieces. Toss it with the noodles and veggies. This makes a filling meal, perfect for lunch or dinner. You can change the flavor with different sauces. Try a hoisin sauce for sweetness. Or use a spicy chili sauce for more heat. You can also mix in a bit of lime juice for tanginess. Each sauce gives the noodles a new twist. Feel free to mix and match until you find your favorite! To store spicy sesame cold noodles, place them in an airtight container. This keeps them fresh. Make sure the noodles are completely cool before sealing. They can last up to three days in the fridge. If you notice any liquid, drain it before serving. To reheat cold noodles, you can use warm water. Place the noodles in a bowl and cover them with hot water for a few minutes. Stir gently to warm them. You can also microwave them for about 30 seconds. Just add a splash of water to keep them moist. You can freeze spicy sesame cold noodles, but they may lose some texture. To freeze, place the noodles in a freezer-safe bag. Remove as much air as possible before sealing. They should keep for up to three months. When ready to use, thaw them in the fridge overnight before reheating. Soba noodles are thin noodles made from buckwheat flour. They have a nutty taste and a firm texture. Soba noodles are popular in Japanese cuisine. They cook quickly, usually in 4 to 5 minutes. You can use them hot or cold in many dishes. They pair well with sauces and dressings. If you can’t find soba, you can use any noodle you like. Yes, you can make this recipe ahead of time. Cook the soba noodles and chill them in cold water. Store the noodles and the dressing separately in the fridge. Combine them just before serving. This way, the noodles stay fresh and do not get soggy. You can also cut the veggies ahead. Just keep them in a sealed container to stay crisp. You can easily adjust the spice level in this dish. Start with 1 teaspoon of chili paste for a mild kick. If you want more heat, add more chili paste to the dressing. You can also use fresh chili peppers for added spice. Just chop them finely and toss them in with the noodles. Taste as you go to find your perfect heat! This blog post outlined how to make delicious cold noodles. We discussed key ingredients like soba noodles, sesame oil, and fresh veggies. I detailed step-by-step instructions, from cooking the noodles to preparing the dressing. You learned tips for flavor, presentation, and variations to fit different diets. Lastly, we covered storage and reheating methods. Simply put, this dish is both fun and flexible. Enjoy crafting your perfect bowl!

Spicy Sesame Cold Noodles

A refreshing and spicy noodle dish perfect for warm weather.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Asian
Servings 4
Calories 300 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 8 oz soba noodles
  • 2 tablespoons sesame oil
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon chili paste
  • 1 tablespoon peanut butter
  • 1 teaspoon grated ginger
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 2 green onions sliced
  • 1 small cucumber, julienned
  • 1 carrot julienned
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
  • to taste fresh cilantro for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Cook the noodles: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the soba noodles and cook according to the package instructions (usually about 4-5 minutes). Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.
  • Prepare the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, chili paste, peanut butter, ginger, and garlic until smooth. Adjust the spice with more chili paste if desired.
  • Combine noodles and dressing: In a large mixing bowl, add the cold noodles. Pour the dressing over the noodles and toss gently until they are evenly coated.
  • Add the veggies: To the bowl with the noodles, add the sliced green onions, julienned cucumber, and carrot. Toss until the vegetables are mixed well with the noodles.
  • Garnish and serve: Transfer the spicy sesame cold noodles to a serving platter or individual bowls. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top and garnish with fresh cilantro.

Notes

Serve in a shallow bowl, creating a nest of noodles and topping it with the julienned vegetables and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. Add a wedge of lime on the side for an extra fresh squeeze!
Keyword cold dish, noodles, spicy, vegan