Description
A quick and easy cold sesame noodle bowl recipe ready in 5 minutes, perfect for hot days. Creamy, refreshing, and packed with flavor, this dish is a crowd-pleaser and ideal for summer.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 ounces (170g) thin spaghetti or Asian-style noodles (soba or rice noodles for gluten-free)
- 3 tablespoons tahini
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari (gluten-free tamari if needed)
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger (optional)
- 1 small garlic clove, minced
- 2–3 tablespoons warm water
- 1/4 cup chopped scallions
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots or cucumber matchsticks
- Optional: crushed peanuts or chopped cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 6 ounces (170g) of noodles and cook according to package instructions (usually 7-9 minutes for spaghetti, less for rice noodles). Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Drain and rinse noodles under cold water until completely cool to stop cooking and prevent clumping. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, combine 3 tablespoons tahini, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon honey, minced garlic clove, and grated ginger if using. Whisk together.
- Slowly add 2-3 tablespoons warm water to the sauce to reach a creamy but pourable consistency. Adjust water gradually.
- Add the cooled noodles to the sauce bowl. Toss with tongs or two forks until noodles are evenly coated and sauce clings without pooling.
- Sprinkle 1/4 cup chopped scallions, 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds, and shredded carrots or cucumber on top. Optionally add crushed peanuts or chopped cilantro.
- Chill in the fridge for 10-15 minutes or serve immediately at room temperature.
- Enjoy with chopsticks or a fork.
Notes
Rinse noodles thoroughly under cold water to prevent clumping. Toast sesame seeds lightly in a dry pan for 1-2 minutes to enhance flavor. Sauce can be made up to 3 days ahead and whisked again before use. For vegan version, substitute honey with maple syrup or agave. For gluten-free, use rice noodles and tamari sauce. Add protein like shredded chicken, tofu, or edamame for a heartier meal.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 7-9 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approximatel
- Calories: 400
- Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 50
- Protein: 10
Keywords: cold noodles, sesame noodle bowl, quick dinner, creamy sesame sauce, summer recipe, easy noodles, vegetarian, gluten-free option