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Creamy Cold Sesame Noodles Recipe with Crunchy Veggies

creamy cold sesame noodles - featured image

A refreshing and creamy cold noodle dish tossed in a nutty sesame sauce with crunchy fresh vegetables, perfect for quick lunches or light dinners especially in warm weather.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225g) spaghetti or thin wheat noodles
  • 3 tablespoons tahini (smooth variety)
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce (low sodium recommended)
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
  • 1 garlic clove, finely minced
  • 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger (optional)
  • 23 tablespoons warm water
  • 1 medium carrot, julienned or shredded
  • 1 small cucumber, thinly sliced or julienned
  • 1/2 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 2 green onions, sliced thin
  • Optional: a handful of chopped roasted peanuts or toasted sesame seeds
  • Optional: squeeze of fresh lime juice
  • Optional: chili oil or red pepper flakes for heat

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (225g) of spaghetti or thin wheat noodles and cook according to package instructions (about 8–10 minutes) until just al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain and rinse briefly under cold water to stop cooking, then set aside to cool slightly.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine 3 tablespoons tahini, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup, 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil, minced garlic, and grated ginger if using. Whisk together until creamy. Gradually add 2–3 tablespoons warm water to loosen the sauce to a pourable consistency.
  3. While the noodles are still slightly warm, transfer them to a large mixing bowl. Pour the creamy sesame sauce over the noodles and gently toss to coat evenly.
  4. Julienne or thinly slice 1 medium carrot, 1 small cucumber, 1/2 red bell pepper, and slice 2 green onions thinly. Add them to the noodles and toss again to combine.
  5. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors marry and serve cold.
  6. Before serving, give the noodles a final gentle toss. Sprinkle chopped roasted peanuts or toasted sesame seeds on top for extra crunch and garnish. Optionally, add a squeeze of fresh lime juice and a drizzle of chili oil or red pepper flakes for heat.

Notes

Start mixing tahini with warm water or warm sauce components to avoid graininess. Toss noodles while still warm to help sauce absorb better. Thin, uniform veggie slices improve texture. Chill at least 30 minutes for best flavor. Adjust sauce balance to taste. Optional protein additions include shredded chicken, tofu, or edamame. Use gluten-free noodles and tamari for gluten-free version.

Nutrition

Keywords: cold sesame noodles, creamy sesame sauce, crunchy veggies, easy noodle recipe, summer lunch, vegetarian, gluten-free option