Chinese-style sesame noodles is the perfect dish for spring and summer. The noodles are meant to be eaten cold or at room temperature and are tossed in an easy no-cook sesame sauce that is packed with flavor. This dish is ready in less than 15 minutes.
It felt like summer these last few days in San Diego, with temperatures in the mid 80’s. The warm weather had me craving summer dishes, like these sesame noodles. When I think of summer foods, I always think of sesame noodles because my mom makes them when the weather turns hot.
What are Sesame Noodles?
Traditionally, Chinese sesame noodles is made with egg noodles. The egg noodles are cooked and then cooled under cold water. They are then tossed in a very simple no-cook sauce that is usually made of sesame oil, soy sauce, garlic, chili paste, rice vinegar and peanut butter. Peanut butter might seem like an odd ingredient, but it works quite nicely. It adds a creaminess and subtle sweetness to the sauce and takes away some of the heat from the chili paste.
Sesame noodles is a very common Chinese dish, but the sauce can vary a lot. Some versions are very spicy. Some versions have a thicker sauce with strong peanut butter flavor. I personally prefer a more savory sauce, with just a hint of spice and a little bit of peanut butter.
This is the perfect summer dish because the noodles are meant to be enjoyed cold or at room temperature.
Noodles
This dish is usually made with fresh egg noodles. You can substitute with dried egg noodles if you don’t have fresh ones. Wheat noodles will also work as a substitute.
Sesame Sauce Ingredients
- Seasoned rice vinegar is sweeter and less acidic than regular rice vinegar. You can substitute with regular rice vinegar but you may need to adjust the amount since regular rice vinegar has a much stronger flavor.
- Toasted sesame oil has a more complex flavor compared to regular sesame oil and I think it helps enhance the sesame flavor in this recipe.
- Traditionally, the sauce includes a chili garlic paste, but I used sriracha instead.
- Chinese sesame paste is a thick paste made of toasted sesame seeds. It has a rich, creamy, and nutty flavor. It will enhance the sesame flavor in the sauce and thicken the sauce. However, Chinese sesame paste may be harder to find if you don’t have an Asian grocery stores near you, so you can leave this out.
Sesame Noodles
Ingredients
- 1 lb fresh Chinese egg noodles
- 2 1/2 tbsp toasted sesame oil
- 1 tbsp seasoned rice vinegar
- 2 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp sriracha
- 1 tbsp creamy peanut butter
- 1-2 tsp Chinese sesame paste optional, see notes
- 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1 green scallion finely sliced
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to boil and add in egg noodles. Cook noodles, making sure to separate the strands as they cook, until noodles are al dente. Drain noodles and then run noodles under cold water to cool them down.
- In a medium bowl, add sesame oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, sriracha, peanut butter and sesame paste. Whisk until sauce is uniform (except for the garlic). Taste sauce and adjust as needed.
- Add noodles to a large mixing bowl. Pour sauce over noodles and toss until noodles are evenly coated. Dish out noodles. Garnish with sesame seeds and scallions. Serve at room temperature or cold.
Notes
- Seasoned rice vinegar is sweeter and less acidic than regular rice vinegar. You can substitute with regular rice vinegar but you may need to adjust the amount since regular rice vinegar has a much stronger flavor.
- Toasted sesame oil has a more complex flavor compared to regular sesame oil and I think it helps enhance the sesame flavor in this recipe.
- Chinese sesame paste is a thick paste made of toasted sesame seeds. It has a rich, creamy, and nutty flavor. It will enhance the sesame flavor in the sauce and thicken the sauce. However, Chinese sesame paste may be harder to find if you don't have any Asian grocery stores near you, so you can leave this out.
- Nutrition estimate does not include the Chinese sesame paste.
Nutrition
The nutrition information provided are only estimates based on an online nutritional calculator. I am not a certified nutritionist. Please consult a professional nutritionist or doctor for accurate information and any dietary restrictions and concerns you may have.
I love these noodles! In fact, love las your recipes! I bought your cookbooks, even before I knew you had a blog. Keep them coming! Awesome! Thank you ?
Thanks so much! We’re so glad you love the recipes – and thanks for buying the books, too!
Your pictures are mouthwatering even though I just ate a bowl of noodles! Also I can’t believe it’s been so hot there since it’s been raining in Norcal!
Oh how strange. I thought Norcal was experiencing the same heat wave.
Does this keep well in the fridge? I’d like to make some as meal prep!
Yes it does! It’s a great recipe for meal prep