Cold Chinese Sesame Noodles are a great make-ahead dish for lazy summer days or for entertaining. This has been in my recipe repertoire for over 20 years, and continues to be my go-to dish for summer entertaining. Keep it vegetarian, or add some shredded cooked chicken for a main course meal.
I grew up eating a cold sesame noodle dish similar to the recipe I’m sharing today. Since this noodle dish can be assembled ahead of time, and is served cold, it’s perfect for picnics, summer barbecues, or for casual meals throughout the summer. These noodles would go well with Thai Barbecue Chicken, Grilled Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken, and Grilled Thai Curry Cilantro Garlic Chicken.
These cold Chinese sesame noodles are best made a day ahead so the noodles have time to soak in the soy sesame dressing. Chinese black vinegar is a more traditional ingredient for the dressing, but you can substitute balsamic vinegar.
Julienned snow peas, cucumber strips, and red bell peppers are tossed into these cold Chinese sesame noodles just before serving for some color and crunch. Finely shredded carrots, thinly sliced napa cabbage or red cabbage, or blanched bean sprouts would also be nice additions.
If you want to add some vegetarian protein, julienned pressed tofu or edamame would be good. For non-vegetarians, Chinese Poached Chicken would be a great protein addition. You can serve the protein on the side so your guests can choose their favorite.
Serve with some Chinese hot chili sauce or chili oil on the side if you like.
Try serving these Cold Chinese Sesame Noodles at your next barbecue or picnic. It goes really well with grilled foods.
Watch how easy these Cold Chinese Sesame Noodles are to make:
Cold Chinese Sesame Noodles
Ingredients
Cold Sesame Noodle Ingredients
- 1 pound dried noodles soba noodles, udon noodles or regular spaghetti
Cold Sesame Noodle Sauce Ingredients
- 1/4 cup sesame oil
- 1/4 cup black soy sauce
- 1 1/2 tablespoons Chinese black vinegar or balsamic vinegar
- 1 1/2 tablespoon organic sugar
- 1 tablespoon hot pepper oil optional
- 1/4 cup scallions finely sliced
Garnishes
- Julienned red bell pepper
- Julienned Cucumber
- Snow Peas trimmed, cut into thin slivers
- scallions minced
- toasted black sesame seeds
- Chinese chili sauce or chili oil
Instructions
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Cook soba noodles until al dente. Drain and rinse well under cold water until chilled; drain again. Place in a large bowl.
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Combine Sesame Noodle Sauce Ingredients.
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Stir half of Sesame Noodle Sauce into soba noodles and toss. Add more sauce to taste. Toss well so all the noodles are well covered.
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Chill overnight.
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Just before serving too with garnishes.
Recipe Notes
Adapted from The Martha Stewart Cookbook
If you like this recipe, you might also like:
Cool Noodles with Green Pesto and Soy Sesame Dressing
Soba Noodles with Miso Gochujang Cucumber Pickles
It has been hot and even humid here in the West so a refreshing salad from Martha is the perfect choice!
That sounds like such a fun group to be a part of. This recipe looks and sounds delicious. I love the crunch from the veggies in soba noodles. Yummy!
This sounds like a recipe that could become a quick favorite in my house…perfect for summer or lunch boxes! Great pick 😀
ooo homemade veggie soba noodles!! this looks so good! i've actually never looked at any of martha's cookbooks before! and i'm gonna check out the other posts too 😀
What a perfect recipe choice for this week's challenge. I love noodles of all sorts and these are perfect for holiday parties. I hope you enjoy the weekend. I'm thrilled you decided to join us. Take care. Blessings…Mary
What a fun concept! Beautiful photo of the noodles and great recipe adaptation. Happy 4th.
Jeanette, I am thinking that I would love, more than anything, to come and live with you and eat and cook together. There is not one thing that you post here that does not have me absolutely drooling!! I am going to make this! It looks perfect to bring to the beach, actually!
First of all, welcome! The group is growing … and 'that's a good thing'! Sorry, had to say that! Second, love the presentation of the noodles! So perfect! Like a little bouffant of carbs! Love it!
I love this type of dish. And this one sounds fabulous, especially with the black soy sauce!
I'm glad everyone is liking this cold noodle dish – it is perfect for a hot summer picnic!
Wish I lived near all of you so we could share all our favorites!
I can't tell you how much I love soba noodles. It's my go-to dish in both summer and winter.
Do people have picnics and barbecues on 4th July? I just realised that I will be spending 4th July in US,because of work. I'm actually looking forward to that 🙂
Happy July 4th !!
I like the changes that you mader to the original – just lovely and so healthy. Great summer dish!
'Tis the season — I've been craving sesame noodles, too, and tasted an amazing version this week while on vacation that I'm going to try to replicate. They are completely addictive, aren't they?
I love Martha, and cold noodle dishes like this!
I'm so glad you're joining in on the fun, Jeanette! and with such a great recipe! I adore sesame noodles and i'm sure that Martha's recipe would top all others!
Hi Jeanette,
The salad looks perfect for a hot, humid afternoon and I am willing to give it a try if you are the one vouching for MS. I have tried several of her desserts within the past year from her Living magazine and online. Somehow nothing turned out right in those recipes. It might be me!
I will save this recipe for a hot Saturday lunch!
I adore cold Asian noodles when the weather gets hot. The soba noodles probably don't stick when made ahead as much as Chinese egg noodles would. My kids actually love soba, so I think I'll make some soon!
There is almost nothing I love more than cold sesame noodles on a 90-degree night!
It is so hot right now, I think I might just make another batch of these cold noodles!
I've been looking for a good soba noodle recipe recently. So glad I found this! Thanks for the inspiration.
I had to pin this for later- this looks absolutely amazing!!
Thanks Clancy – this has been a warm weather favorite for years, and I’m looking forward to making it again soon.
Jeanette, I have yet to perfect the “pasta twirl” you have it down girl. These noodles look amazing!
Hi Jeanette! First time here and I love this noodle recipe! I can’t wait to try it!
Hi Sook, so glad you stopped by – this has been a favorite for BBQ’s and picnics for many years – enjoy!
Great recipe Jeanette. Perfect for summer lunch boxes too! Or flights… It packs well! This is versatile, as you can get creative and add all sorts of your favorite things; baked tofu bites, other veggies, bean sprouts, etc. Garnishing with chopped green onions, or a few cilantro leaves makes it pretty. Or, just simply plain as written is yummy! 😉
Thanks Suzi – I love your suggestions of things to add – sounds so good!
OoooOoo this dish sounds amazing! Love it!
These look so pretty! A new soba restaurant opened up near me and have spent far too much money. . .I”ll have to give these a shot the next time the craving hits!
This sounds so perfect and light for hot summer days! Love the blend of flavors. Total bonus that it’s perfect to pack for a picnic. Thanks for sharing!