These incredible sesame noodles are even better than takeout!
This recipe is quick, easy, and totally customizable. Tender noodles are tossed in a lusciously creamy and nutty sauce made with sesame paste, peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and a touch of sugar.
This dish is a breeze to prepare and can be enjoyed warm or chilled. I love having these noodles for a quick and easy dinner or lunch throughout the week!
Why You’ll Love These Sesame Noodles
Quick & Easy: You can whip up sesame noodles in less than half an hour! They’re perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute meal-prepping.
Better Than Takeout: Who needs delivery fees, long waits, and putting on nice clothes? Skip all of that! Make sesame noodles that taste even better than the ones at your favorite restaurant.
Versatile Meal: Enjoy the noodles warm, chilled, or at room temperature. Plain or with plenty of toppings. By themselves or as part of a larger meal. You can make these work for practically anything.
Ingredients
- Fresh Chinese Wheat Noodles: Noodles are the foundation of this dish. If you can find them, wheat noodles are best. Spaghetti will work in a pinch, though.
- Chinese Sesame Paste: The rich, nutty flavor is the star of the sesame sauce. If you can’t find it, substitute with tahini.
- Peanut Butter: For added depth of flavor and a more pronounced nutty finish.
- Low-Sodium Soy Sauce: (or tamari) Either of these will add deep, savory notes and a kick of umami flavor.
- Rice Vinegar: For a tangy balance to the savory sauce ingredients. Unseasoned works best.
- Honey or Maple Syrup: For a nice sweetness to round out the other flavors.
- Toasted Sesame Oil: Add just a smidge to enhance the nutty, toasty aroma and taste.
- Ginger & Garlic: My two staples when making anything Asian-inspired. They add earthiness, zing, spice, and robustness.
- Chili Garlic Sauce: (or Sriracha) These ingredients are where the heat and spice come in. Use as little or as much as you like to suit the heat levels to your taste.
- Green Onions & Toasted Sesame Seeds: For topping the dish. They add freshness, crunch, and a little color.
- Optional Toppings: I like cucumber strips, shredded carrots, crushed peanuts, and more! Adjust the toppings to suit your needs.
How to Make Sesame Noodles
For such a hearty, flavorful dish, you won’t believe how easy it is to make:
1. Prepare the noodles. Cook them in a large pot of boiling water according to the package directions. Then, drain and rinse them briefly with cold water. Toss them with sesame oil and set them aside.
2. Make the sauce. Whisk the sesame paste, peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, and chili sauce until smooth. Then, thin the sauce with water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until it’s pourable.
3. Combine. Pour the sauce over the warm noodles and toss well to coat.
4. Garnish and serve. Transfer the noodles to a serving bowl and garnish with green onions, toasted sesame seeds, and optional toppings. Then, serve and enjoy!
Tips for the Best Sesame Noodles
This recipe is almost impossibly simple, but these tips make it even easier.
- Pick the perfect noodles. As mentioned, fresh Chinese wheat noodles work best. Dry spaghetti is another easy option. Others include ramen, udon, soba, or rice noodles.
- Aim for al dente. When cooking the noodles, take about 1 to 2 minutes off the time listed on the package directions. Very slightly undercooking them will keep them from getting mushy.
- Thin the sauce slowly. When you first make it, the sauce will be too thick. You’ll need to thin it with water, but you don’t want to go overboard. Add only a tablespoon of water at a time. Once it gets almost where it should be, drop it to a teaspoon instead.
- Fresh is best. Grate and mince the garlic and ginger yourself for the best flavor. If you’re like me and hate mincing garlic, this little tool from Amazon will help.
- Pack in some protein. You can add fully cooked chicken, shrimp, steak strips, or even tofu. Doing so will turn the dish into a complete meal.
- Serve them cold! I prefer this dish warm or at room temperature. However, you can also enjoy it chilled, making it perfect for meal-prepping.
How to Store
Unfortunately, sesame noodles don’t freeze well. You can refrigerate leftovers for several days, though.
To Store: Place the noodles in an air-tight container in the fridge. They’ll last for up to 5 days.
To Reheat: Reheat the noodles on the stove over medium-low heat. Add a splash of broth or water to help loosen the sauce. If you’re in a hurry, you can also microwave them in 30-second intervals, stirring between each.
Sesame Noodles
4
servings10
minutes10
minutes305
kcalThese easy sesame noodles bring the takeout into your own kitchen! Made with sesame paste, peanut butter, soy sauce, and more, they’re so irresistible.
Ingredients
12 ounces fresh Chinese wheat noodles (or 8 ounces dried spaghetti)
1/4 cup Chinese sesame paste (or tahini)
2 tablespoons peanut butter
2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce or tamari
1 1/2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
2 cloves garlic, minced
1-2 teaspoons chili garlic sauce, to taste (or Sriracha)
2-4 tablespoons warm water, as needed
3 green onions, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
optional toppings: cucumber strips, shredded carrots, crushed peanuts
Instructions
- Cook the noodles in a large pot of boiling water according to package directions until al dente. Drain, rinse briefly with cold water to prevent sticking, and toss with a little sesame oil. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the sesame paste, peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, and chili sauce until smooth. Thin out with warm water, 1 tablespoon at a time, to reach a pourable consistency.
- Pour the sauce over the warm noodles and toss well to coat evenly. Add more water if needed to loosen the sauce.
- Transfer to a serving bowl. Garnish with sliced green onions, toasted sesame seeds, and any other desired toppings.
- Serve the sesame noodles warm or at room temperature. Enjoy!
Notes
- Make extra sauce to have on hand. The flavors develop as it sits. Toss with the noodles when ready to serve.
- Add shredded chicken, tofu, or more veggies like bean sprouts to make it a complete meal.
- Homemade chili oil and Sichuan peppercorn powder will really elevate the dish if you have them.
