Cold Sesame Noodles Delight (Print Version)

Silky sesame sauce coats cool noodles topped with fresh veggies and crunch, ideal for a light, flavorful meal.

# 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 option
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 - 1 handful fresh cilantro, chopped
18 - Crushed roasted peanuts, optional
19 - Lime wedges, optional

# How to Make It:

01 - Cook noodles according to package instructions. Drain, rinse with cold water until cool, then toss with 1 tbsp sesame oil to prevent sticking.
02 - Whisk together tahini, peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, toasted sesame oil, grated garlic, ginger, and chili oil if used. Add cold water gradually until sauce is smooth and pourable.
03 - Place noodles in a large bowl and toss with the prepared sauce until evenly coated.
04 - Divide noodles into bowls. Top with julienned cucumber, carrots, sliced spring onions, toasted sesame seeds, chopped cilantro, and crushed peanuts if desired. Serve with lime wedges.
05 - For optimal flavor, chill the dish for 10 to 15 minutes before serving or enjoy immediately.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • The sauce is deceptively simple to make but tastes like you've been perfecting it for years.
  • It's genuinely better the next day, which means you can make it ahead and actually enjoy your weekend.
  • The contrast between the cool, creamy noodles and the crisp snap of fresh vegetables is genuinely addictive.
02 -
  • Don't oversoak the noodles when you rinse them—they should be cool but still have some texture, not slippery like eels.
  • If your sauce breaks or looks separated, it just means you need a splash more water whisked in slowly; it'll come back together and taste better than before.
03 -
  • Make the sauce while your noodles are cooking, then everything comes together in minutes—there's no standing around waiting.
  • Toast your own sesame seeds instead of buying them pre-toasted; the difference in flavor is worth the three minutes it takes.
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