Cold Sesame Noodle Cucumber Bowl (Printable)

Sesame noodles with cucumber, carrot, tangy sauce, cilantro, and lime. Refreshing, quick summer lunch.

# Required Ingredients:

→ 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

# Preparation Steps:

01 - Cook noodles in a large pot of boiling water following package instructions. Drain thoroughly and rinse well under cold water until chilled. Toss with 1 teaspoon sesame oil to prevent sticking.
02 - In a mixing bowl, whisk together tahini or peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, toasted sesame oil, grated garlic, grated ginger, and 2 tablespoons water. Gradually incorporate more water if needed until the sauce reaches a smooth and pourable consistency.
03 - Arrange chilled noodles evenly in serving bowls. Drizzle each portion generously with sesame sauce.
04 - Top each bowl with cucumber, carrots, and spring onions. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds, chopped cilantro, and sliced chili as desired.
05 - Present with lime wedges alongside for squeezing prior to eating.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The secret is tossing cold noodles in sesame oil to make them silky and entirely non-sticky.
  • This bowl is my go-to for summer lunches when I want maximum flavor with minimum effort.
02 -
  • If you skip the cold rinse, the noodles will get sticky and ruin the cool vibe.
  • Switching from peanut butter to tahini tones down the sweetness and makes it nut-free, which changed my approach for potlucks.
03 -
  • Always rinse noodles until they're truly cool—lukewarm won't cut it.
  • The toasted sesame oil should be added last for its fragrance.
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