Cold Sesame Noodles Dish (Printable Version)

Chilled noodles coated in creamy sesame sauce served with crunchy fresh vegetables for a refreshing meal.

# Ingredient List:

→ 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 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 Steps:

01 - Prepare noodles following package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water until fully cooled. Toss with 1 tablespoon of sesame oil to prevent sticking.
02 - In a bowl, whisk together tahini, peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey or maple syrup, toasted sesame oil, grated garlic, ginger, and chili oil if using. Slowly add cold water until mixture is smooth, creamy, and pourable.
03 - Place cooled noodles in a large bowl. Pour sauce over and toss thoroughly to coat evenly.
04 - Divide noodles into serving bowls and garnish with cucumber, carrots, spring onions, sesame seeds, cilantro, and crushed peanuts if desired. Serve with lime wedges on the side.
05 - Refrigerate for 10 to 15 minutes prior to serving to enhance flavors, or serve immediately as preferred.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • These noodles come together in under 30 minutes and taste even better the next day, making them your secret weapon for meal prep.
  • The sauce is forgiving and adaptable—thinner or thicker, spicier or mild, it bends to what you have and what you're craving.
  • Something about the combination of creamy sesame, crisp vegetables, and cold noodles just works, especially when life feels too hot or too rushed.
02 -
  • Tahini and peanut butter separate when stored; stir them well before measuring, or your sauce might taste thin and watery rather than rich and creamy.
  • Don't skip the cold water step—adding it gradually lets you control texture instead of ending up with either concrete paste or flavorless soup.
  • Taste the sauce before combining it with the noodles; the noodles themselves are fairly neutral, so your sauce needs to be assertive and delicious on its own.
03 -
  • Toast your sesame seeds in a dry skillet for just 90 seconds until fragrant; this small step transforms them from ordinary to the kind of topping people actually notice and crave.
  • If you find tahini overwhelming, start with less and taste your way up—it's easier to add richness than to remove it once you've overpoured.
  • Keep chili oil separate and let people adjust heat to their preference; what feels perfectly spiced to one person might feel aggressive to another, and allowing choice makes the meal feel more welcoming.
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