Cold Sesame Noodle Bowl Cucumber (Print Version)

Creamy sesame noodles with crisp cucumber, carrots and vibrant herbs, perfect for a quick, refreshing 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 - 2-3 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

# How to Make It:

01 - Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Prepare noodles according to the manufacturer's instructions. Drain well and rinse thoroughly under cold water until fully chilled. Toss noodles with 1 teaspoon sesame oil to prevent sticking.
02 - In a mixing bowl, combine tahini or peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey or maple syrup, toasted sesame oil, grated garlic, and grated ginger. Whisk to blend. Add 2 tablespoons water, then gradually incorporate additional water until the sauce reaches a smooth, pourable consistency.
03 - Divide cold noodles among serving bowls. Generously drizzle sesame sauce over noodles.
04 - Arrange cucumber, carrots, and spring onions atop each bowl. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds, chopped cilantro, and sliced chili if desired.
05 - Offer lime wedges alongside each bowl for squeezing prior to eating. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes like summer and feels light, but it fills you up without any fuss.
  • The creamy sesame sauce is so easy to whisk together, I now make it for salad dressings, too.
02 -
  • If you forget to rinse noodles until they're cold, the sauce goes gummy instead of creamy.
  • Using fresh ginger and garlic makes the sesame sauce taste sharper—pre-minced just isn't the same.
03 -
  • Always start with less soy sauce than you think and build up—it’s easy to go salty.
  • Drizzling sesame oil at the very end preserves its aroma and keeps the taste vivid.
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