Spicy Sesame Noodle Salad (Printable Version)

Refreshing chilled noodles in a bold sesame-soy-chili dressing with crisp cucumbers, spring onions, and fresh cilantro.

# 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

# Directions:

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 Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under half an hour and tastes like you spent all day in the kitchen.
  • The dressing clings to every strand of noodle, delivering that perfect balance of nutty, tangy, and spicy in each forkful.
  • You can make it ahead and it actually gets better as the flavors meld in the fridge.
  • It's endlessly adaptable, so you can toss in whatever vegetables or proteins you have on hand.
02 -
  • Rinsing the noodles under cold water is non-negotiable, it stops them from clumping together and keeps the texture just right.
  • If your dressing seems too thick, a teaspoon of warm water will loosen it up without diluting the flavor.
  • Always taste the dressing before adding the noodles, because once everything is mixed, it's harder to fix the balance.
03 -
  • Toast your own sesame seeds in a dry pan for a minute or two, the flavor difference is remarkable.
  • Grate the garlic and ginger on a microplane for the smoothest, most evenly distributed flavor in the dressing.
  • If you're making this ahead, underdress it slightly and add a splash more dressing right before serving to freshen it up.
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