Cold Sesame Noodles (Printable)

Silky sesame sauce coats chilled noodles topped with fresh vegetables for a bright, satisfying 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 for vegan option
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

# Method:

01 - Prepare noodles according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water until fully chilled. Toss noodles with 1 tablespoon sesame oil to prevent sticking.
02 - Whisk together tahini, peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey (or maple syrup), toasted sesame oil, grated garlic, grated ginger, and chili oil if desired. Gradually add cold water until the sauce reaches a smooth, pourable consistency.
03 - Place noodles in a large bowl and pour sauce over. Toss thoroughly to coat all noodles evenly.
04 - Divide noodles into serving bowls. Top with cucumber, carrots, spring onions, sesame seeds, cilantro, and crushed peanuts if using. Serve with lime wedges on the side.
05 - Refrigerate for 10 to 15 minutes to enhance flavors, or serve immediately according to preference.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Ready in 25 minutes with almost zero active cooking time once the water boils.
  • Tastes even better the next day, making it the ideal make-ahead lunch for work or picnics.
  • The sauce is forgiving—you can adjust it to your heat tolerance and preferred thickness without ruining anything.
02 -
  • If you add the water all at once instead of gradually, the sauce can break or become grainy—whisking is your friend here.
  • These noodles are better slightly underdressed than overdressed; you can always add more sauce, but you can't take it out.
03 -
  • Toast your own sesame seeds in a dry pan for two minutes—they smell incredible and taste infinitely better than pre-toasted ones.
  • Keep an ice bath ready: if you're not serving immediately, plunge the drained noodles into ice water for 30 seconds to stop the cooking dead and ensure they stay tender.
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