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These cold sesame noodles are a quick, simple noodle salad of chewy noodles and fresh, crisp vegetables in a light, flavorful sesame-soy dressing. A fuss-free, wholesome, delicious meal for home, on the go, and entertaining plus ready in just 15 minutes!
Chilled Sesame Noodle Salad in Under 15 Minutes
Noodle recipes are some of the best for quick, low-fuss, inexpensive, and delicious meals; there’s something for every mood. Whether that’s cooked veggie chow mein, a warm cucumber soba salad, chilled garlic sesame soba noodles, or this cold noodle salad.
These cold sesame noodles are light, refreshing, healthy, require minimal cooking, and are ready in just 15 minutes (though leaving them to marinate for 30 minutes will make them even better!). That makes them perfect for the warmer summer months when you don’t feel like cooking, though they’re enjoyable year-round.
You also only need a handful of pantry staples to assemble a meal packed with savory, nutty, delicious flavors and chewy, crunchy textures. Unlike most cold sesame noodle recipes, this version can be made without sesame paste/peanut butter for a lighter, brighter dish. Plus, you can adapt it with other veggies and proteins you have on hand.
Depending on the noodles you use, this recipe is also gluten-free and 100% vegan. Best of all, this sesame soy noodle salad is make-ahead friendly, travels well, and is great for feeding a crowd. So whip up a batch for your next BBQ, potluck, picnic, and more.
The Ingredients
9 inexpensive, pantry-friendly ingredients make up this sesame noodles recipe.
![ingredients for Asian Noodle Salad [Cold Sesame Noodles] measured out against a white background](https://plantbasedonabudget.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Sesame-Noodle-Salad-Plant-Based-on-a-Budget-11.jpg)
- Noodles: There are several types of noodles you could use for this Asian noodle salad, including soba noodles (buckwheat noodles), rice noodles (our preferred option), ramen, etc. Other types will also work (even spaghetti). Check they don’t contain eggs.
- Shredded carrot: This adds crunch and color to the cold Asian noodle salad.
- Cilantro: If you aren’t a cilantro fan, sliced green onions (scallions) and/or parsley, Thai basil, or mint could work.
- Sesame seeds: To garnish the sesame noodle salad. For extra aromatic flavor, toast them in a dry skillet until fragrant and browned. Add extra crunch with chopped peanuts or cashews.
Sesame Soy Dressing
- Aromatics: Using fresh garlic and ginger will yield the best flavor, but it’s possible to use powdered versions of either/both in a pinch.
- Sesame oil: To infuse the dressing for noodle salad with sesame flavor, use toasted sesame oil.
- Soy sauce: You can use regular or reduced-sodium soy sauce. If you’re gluten-free, use coconut aminos or tamari instead.
- Lime juice: To add brightness and depth, use fresh lime juice. Lemon juice will work, too, or rice vinegar.
- Vegan Worcestershire sauce: (optional) This ingredient will add extra tangy depth but isn’t 100% necessary. It’s also worth noting that many brands aren’t gluten-free.
What Else Could I Add To The Noodle Salad?
- Protein: To make a heartier meal, add crispy tofu, tempeh, or another meat alternative.
- Spice: Add heat with some sliced red chilies, red pepper flakes, or chili paste (like sambal oelek). You could also garnish with chili oil.
- Sesame paste: For a creamier sesame noodle salad, add 2-3 tbsp Chinese sesame paste, tahini, and/or peanut butter to the dressing (mix separately before tossing it with noodles). Add hot water (tsp at a time) for a thinner consistency.
- Greens: Finely chopped spinach or kale (massage the latter with the sesame oil to tenderize it first).
- Sweetener: If you want to balance the salty, tart flavors of the cold noodles, a drizzle of maple syrup, agave, coconut sugar, brown sugar, etc., will work.
- Vegetables: There are plenty of veggies you could use to boost the color, nutrients, and texture in this cold sesame noodles recipe.
- Blanched broccoli or broccoliniSnow peas/mangetoutSugar snap peasMatchstick/julienne cucumberJulienne bell pepper (red, orange, or yellow—not green)Steamed edamameShredded cabbageJulienne radishes
- Sliced avocado
You could also reduce prep time by relying on a pre-prepared slaw mixture.
How to Make Cold Sesame Noodles?
- 1) First, cook the noodles according to their package instructions (usually soaking/cooking them in hot water for just a few minutes). Then drain and allow them to cool.
Rinsing the noodles with cold water can help to cool them down quickly. However, slightly warm noodles will absorb the dressing better.
- 2) Meanwhile, mince the garlic, chop the cilantro, shred the carrots, and juice the lime.
![ingredients for Asian Noodle Salad [Cold Sesame Noodles] measured out against a white background alongside a glass mixing bowl](https://plantbasedonabudget.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Sesame-Noodle-Salad-Plant-Based-on-a-Budget-12.jpg)
- 3) Transfer all the ingredients to a bowl and toss well to thoroughly coat. Then transfer the sesame noodle salad to the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes (1-2 hours is even better) to chill and for the flavors to meld. Enjoy!
Optionally, mix all the sesame dressing ingredients in a separate bowl first to ensure it’s thoroughly combined.
Recipe Notes
- Be careful not to overcook the noodles: They can become sticky/stodgy if overcooked but are wonderfully chewy when al dente.
- For more flavor: Toast the sesame seeds until fragrant and browned for a more aromatic, nutty flavor.
- Tweak the dressing: Adjust the amount of any ingredient to taste.
- It’s highly customizable: There are plenty of ways to adapt this recipe using the proteins and veggies you have on hand, so enjoy experimenting for a noodle salad that will never bore.
- For a low-carb version: Try using zucchini noodles.
Do You Eat Sesame Noodles Hot or Cold?
This recipe is best enjoyed at room temperature or chilled (though it’s technically possible to enjoy them warm).
Enjoy the vegan noodle salad alone, or serve it as a side dish alongside your favorite protein, cooked veggies, dumplings, etc.
Storage Instructions
You can prepare the sesame-soy dressing in advance and store it in the fridge for 1-2 weeks.
Store any leftover cold sesame noodle salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. It’ll taste even better on day two, though it may get a little ‘dry’ over time — so top up with a splash more dressing or vegetable stock if needed.
We don’t recommend freezing it, as the texture of the fresh veggies and herbs will become mushy/unappealing.
Other Easy Vegan Salad Recipes
- Mediterranean Lentil Salad
- Fresh Crunchy Peanut Salad
- Fresh Quinoa Salad
- Everybody’s Favorite Bean Salad
- Pita Panzanella Salad
- Summer Pasta Salad
- French Potato Salad
Photos by Alfonso Revilla
Noodle Salad [Cold Sesame Noodles]
Video
Ingredients
- 1 (~16 ounce) package of Asian noodles
- 1 large carrot, grated
- ¼ cup of sesame seeds
- ⅓ cup of sesame oil
- ⅓ cup of soy sauce
- 1 lime, squeezed
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ teaspoon of ginger powder
- ¼ cup of chopped cilantro
- If you have vegan worcestershire sauce, like this, add a teaspoon of it
Instructions
- Cook the noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and allow to cool.
- In a large bowl, add the cooked noodles with all the other ingredients. Stir until thoroughly mixed, and place in the refrigerator until chilled. Serve cold.
Notes
- Be careful not to overcook the noodles: They can become sticky/stodgy if overcooked but are wonderfully chewy when al dente.
- For more flavor: Toast the sesame seeds until fragrant and browned for a more aromatic, nutty flavor.
- Tweak the dressing: Adjust the amount of any ingredient to taste.
What are Asian noodles?
This was delicious and so easy!! Thank you!
Gotta love the easy and delicious recipes! 🙂
I definitely need to try this recipe out
You’d love it!
Wow! These noodles are so tasty and quick to put together!
Yess! I love how quick these are to whip up too! So good!
This sesame noodle salad is so fresh and delicious! I am definitely going to be making this a lot more this summer … thanks for the recipe!
It’s the perfect summer salad!
These Sesame Noodles are incredible! Very easy to make and perfect for an at work lunch!
Agreed – definitely great as a packed lunch!
Yum, yum, yum! I’m crazy about these sesame noodles!
You and me both! They’re soooo good!
I loved this noodles salad! The flavors were super sharp, just like I like them on my Asian food!
Same! Such a delicious noodle salad!
Such a simple salad, but so delicious and satisfying. Love that it’s so quick to put together.
Right?! The simple recipes are the best!
I love this cold noodle salad! It’s packed with flavor and perfect for lunch!!
Right?! So simple and so delicious!
I’m oil free. What else could I use.? or can I just leave it?
You can use a little bit of water/ veggie broth or omit the oil all together.
Love how quickly this noodle salad comes together! This is my new go-to lunch!
Same! So quick and easy to whip up!
Love how quick this noodle salad comes together!
This noodle salad will make a great addition to my meal prep lineup. I do a different noodle bowl every week. Thanks for sharing!
So true! It’s such a great noodle dish to add to the mix!
Awesome noodle salad! The whole family loved it, and they seem to can’t get enough of it!
So glad to hear that! They’re definitely a hit at our house too!
I was worried at first about the 1/3 cup of sesame oil but it was perfect! I love noodle dishes like this one where I have the ingredients on hand. Thanks!
It’s always nice when the recipe calls for simple pantry staples!
This sesame noodle salad is so delicious. I love how quickly it comes together.
Right?! So easy and simple to whip up!!
These sesame noodles are incredible! Super easy to make and the flavor is outstanding!
Agreed! The flavor is soooo good!
loved it. it’s in my cookbook now.💜😁
That’s so awesome! So glad you enjoyed it! It’s a yummy recipe!