Cold Sesame Noodle Bowl Cucumber (Printable)

Refreshing noodles with sesame sauce, cucumber, and vibrant herbs. Great for light summer meals and easy lunches.

# What You 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 soy sauce (low-sodium preferred)
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

# Directions:

01 - Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add noodles and cook according to package directions. Drain well and rinse under cold running water until fully chilled. Toss noodles 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, finely grated garlic, grated ginger, and 2 tablespoons water. Add additional water as needed until the sauce is smooth and pourable.
03 - Divide the chilled noodles among serving bowls. Drizzle generously with sesame sauce.
04 - Top each bowl with cucumber, carrots, and spring onions. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds, chopped cilantro, and sliced red chili if desired.
05 - Serve with lime wedges alongside for squeezing over before eating.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It tastes like summer in a bowl, thanks to cooling cucumbers and bright herbs.
  • The creamy sesame sauce is so luscious, you'll want to use it on everything.
02 -
  • If you skip rinsing the noodles thoroughly, they get gummy and heavy—don't make my early mistake.
  • Whisking the sesame sauce in stages makes it creamy and eliminates lumps.
03 -
  • Toss noodles with oil immediately after rinsing—otherwise, they clump fast.
  • Squeeze fresh lime at the table so the zest isn't lost in the sauce.
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