Cold Sesame Noodle Bowl Cucumber (Printable)

Chilled noodles, creamy sesame sauce, crisp cucumber, vibrant herbs: a refreshing summer meal.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Noodles

01 - 10 oz thin wheat noodles or soba noodles
02 - 1 teaspoon sesame oil

→ Sesame Sauce

03 - 3 tablespoons tahini or smooth peanut butter
04 - 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
05 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
06 - 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
07 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
08 - 1 clove garlic, finely grated
09 - 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
10 - 2 to 3 tablespoons water, as needed

→ Vegetables & Toppings

11 - 1 large cucumber, julienned or thinly sliced
12 - 2 medium carrots, julienned
13 - 3 spring onions, thinly sliced
14 - 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
15 - 1 small bunch fresh cilantro, chopped
16 - 1 small red chili, thinly sliced (optional)
17 - Lime wedges, to serve

# Steps:

01 - Cook noodles in a large pot according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water until thoroughly chilled. Toss with 1 teaspoon sesame oil to prevent sticking.
02 - In a mixing bowl, whisk together tahini or peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey or maple syrup, toasted sesame oil, grated garlic, ginger, and 2 tablespoons water. Add additional water as needed until the sauce reaches a smooth, pourable consistency.
03 - Divide cold noodles among serving bowls. Generously drizzle with sesame sauce.
04 - Top noodles with cucumber, carrots, and spring onions. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds, chopped cilantro, and sliced chili if desired.
05 - Present with lime wedges for squeezing over each bowl before eating.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The creamy sesame sauce clings to every noodle, making each bite impossibly addictive.
  • Cucumbers and fresh herbs turn this into a chilled lunch that feels restorative and bright—exactly what I crave after a sun-soaked walk.
02 -
  • If the noodles aren’t rinsed thoroughly, they’ll turn gummy and the whole bowl loses its light texture.
  • Doubling the water in the sauce seemed logical at first, but made it bland—add slowly and taste often for the right balance.
03 -
  • Rinsing noodles under running cold water prevents them from sticking and keeps them springy.
  • Toasting your sesame seeds for a minute or two in a dry pan intensifies their nuttiness and gives more crunch.
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