When you want something quick, refreshing, and full of flavour, a cold sesame noodle bowl is an easy choice. This sesame noodles recipe combines chewy soba noodles with a creamy, nutty sesame dressing, crisp vegetables, and fresh garnishes. It is simple enough for a weekday lunch but flavourful enough to serve as a light dinner.
For this recipe, Moi Soi Soba Noodles make an excellent base. The noodles are made with wheat flour and buckwheat flour and have a thin, chewy texture with a naturally nutty taste. Moi Soi recommends them for noodle salads and cold preparations as well as stir-fries and soups.
What Are Sesame Noodles?
Sesame noodles are noodles tossed in a savoury sesame-based dressing. They can be served warm, at room temperature, or chilled, depending on the recipe.
For a cold noodle bowl, the noodles are cooked first, cooled, and then tossed with a dressing made from ingredients such as sesame paste or tahini, soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, and a little sweetness. Fresh vegetables add crunch, while spring onions, sesame seeds, or chilli oil can provide the finishing touch.
The result is a simple bowl with a combination of nutty, salty, tangy, and slightly sweet flavours.
Ingredients for Sesame Noodles
For 2 servings, you will need:
For the noodles
- 150 g Moi Soi Soba Noodles
- Water for boiling
- 1/2 teaspoon oil
For the sesame dressing
- 2 tbsp tahini or smooth sesame paste
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp rice vinegar or white vinegar
- 1 tsp honey or sugar
- 1 small garlic clove, finely minced
- 2 to 3 tbsp water, as needed
- Chilli flakes or chilli oil, optional
For the toppings
- 1/2 cucumber, thinly sliced
- 1 small carrot, julienned
- 2 spring onions, sliced
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- Fresh coriander, optional
How to Make Sesame Noodles
Step 1: Cook the Soba Noodles
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the soba noodles and 1/2 teaspoon of oil. Cook for around 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, then drain.
Moi Soi's product instructions recommend boiling the soba for 5 to 6 minutes before straining. The product page also notes that the noodles are ready in around 6 to 7 minutes overall.
Step 2: Cool the Noodles
Transfer the cooked noodles to cold water and rinse gently. This stops the cooking process and cools the noodles for a chilled sesame noodle bowl.
Drain thoroughly so excess water does not dilute the dressing.
Step 3: Make the Sesame Dressing
Add tahini, soy sauce, sesame oil, vinegar, honey or sugar, and minced garlic to a bowl.
Whisk everything together. Add water gradually until the dressing reaches a smooth, pourable consistency.
Taste and adjust the balance. Add a little more vinegar for tanginess, soy sauce for savouriness, or honey for sweetness.
Step 4: Prepare the Vegetables
Thinly slice the cucumber, julienne the carrot, and slice the spring onions.
You can also add shredded cabbage, bell peppers, edamame, or lightly blanched broccoli depending on what you have available.
Step 5: Toss Everything Together
Place the cooled soba noodles in a large bowl. Pour over the sesame dressing and toss gently until the noodles are evenly coated.
Add the vegetables and toss again.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Top the sesame noodles with toasted sesame seeds and spring onions. Add fresh coriander if you like.
For extra heat, finish with chilli flakes or a drizzle of chilli oil.
Serve immediately or chill the bowl for later.
Tips for the Best Cold Sesame Noodles
Do not overcook the noodles
Soba noodles can become soft if they are left in boiling water for too long. Follow the cooking time and drain them promptly.
Rinse after cooking
For a cold noodle recipe, rinsing the cooked soba under cold water helps cool the noodles and prepares them for the dressing.
Thin the dressing gradually
Sesame paste can be thick, so add water little by little. This makes it easier to create a smooth dressing without making it watery.
Toast your sesame seeds
Toasting sesame seeds for a few minutes in a dry pan can bring out their aroma and add extra texture to the noodle bowl.
Add the dressing just before serving
If you are preparing the ingredients ahead of time, keep the noodles, vegetables, and dressing separate until you are ready to eat. This helps preserve the texture of the vegetables.
Easy Variations to Try
One of the best things about a sesame noodle bowl is how easily you can change it.
Spicy Sesame Noodles
Add chilli oil or chilli flakes to the dressing. For a stronger Asian-inspired flavour, you can also add a small amount of Korean Chilli Oil.
Sesame Tofu Noodles
Pan-fry cubes of tofu until golden and add them to the finished bowl. The crispy tofu provides a satisfying contrast to the soft noodles and creamy dressing.
Sesame Chicken Noodles
Add shredded or sliced cooked chicken for a more substantial meal. Toss it with the noodles and dressing before serving.
Crunchy Vegetable Noodles
Add cabbage, carrots, cucumber, bell peppers, and spring onions for plenty of texture and freshness.
Peanut Sesame Noodles
Add a spoonful of smooth peanut butter to the sesame dressing for a richer, nuttier variation. Thin the dressing with a little water until it reaches your preferred consistency.
Why Soba Noodles Work Well in This Recipe
Soba noodles bring a distinctive nutty flavour and chewy texture to a cold noodle bowl. Moi Soi Soba Noodles are made with 55% wheat flour and 30% buckwheat flour, along with water and iodized salt.
The noodles are also versatile enough for hot and cold preparations. Moi Soi suggests using them in stir-fries, soups, noodle salads, and cold dishes.
For more ways to use them, you can explore Moi Soi Soba Noodles and experiment with different sauces, vegetables, and toppings.
How to Serve Cold Sesame Noodles
Cold sesame noodles work particularly well as a quick lunch or light dinner. Serve them with:
- Cucumber and carrot ribbons
- Steamed or roasted vegetables
- Crispy tofu
- Grilled chicken
- Boiled or fried egg
- Spring onions
- Toasted sesame seeds
- Chilli oil
- Fresh coriander
You can also prepare the dressing in advance and keep it refrigerated until you are ready to assemble the noodle bowl.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What noodles are best for sesame noodles?
Soba noodles are an excellent choice because their thin, chewy texture and nutty flavour pair well with sesame dressing.
2. Can sesame noodles be served cold?
Yes. Cooked noodles can be rinsed, cooled, and tossed with sesame dressing to make a refreshing cold noodle bowl.
3. How do you stop soba noodles from becoming mushy?
Avoid overcooking them and drain them promptly. For a cold recipe, rinse the noodles under cold water after cooking.
4. What can I add to sesame noodles?
Cucumber, carrot, cabbage, spring onions, tofu, chicken, egg, mushrooms, and bell peppers all work well.
5. Can I make sesame noodles spicy?
Yes. Add chilli flakes or chilli oil to the sesame dressing. Adjust the amount according to your preferred heat level.
6. Can I prepare sesame noodles ahead of time?
Yes. For the best texture, keep the cooked noodles, vegetables, and dressing separate and combine them shortly before serving.
