Cold Soba Sesame Ginger Salad (Printable)

Chilled soba and crisp vegetables tossed in a zesty sesame-ginger dressing for a light, vibrant meal.

# What You Need:

→ Noodles

01 - 250 g dried soba noodles

→ Dressing

02 - 3 tbsp toasted sesame oil
03 - 2 tbsp soy sauce (use tamari for gluten-free)
04 - 1 tbsp rice vinegar
05 - 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
06 - 1 tbsp freshly grated ginger
07 - 1 clove garlic, finely minced
08 - 1 tsp chili flakes (optional)
09 - Juice of ½ lime

→ Salad

10 - 1 medium carrot, julienned
11 - 1 small cucumber, julienned
12 - 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
13 - 2 spring onions, thinly sliced
14 - 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
15 - 1 handful fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)

# How-To Steps:

01 - Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the soba noodles and cook according to package instructions (usually 4–5 minutes). Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and remove excess starch. Set aside.
02 - In a small bowl, whisk together all dressing ingredients until well blended.
03 - In a large bowl, combine the cooked and cooled soba noodles, carrot, cucumber, bell pepper, and spring onions.
04 - Drizzle the sesame ginger dressing over the salad. Toss gently to coat everything evenly.
05 - Transfer to serving plates or a platter. Top with toasted sesame seeds and fresh cilantro if using.
06 - Serve immediately or chill for 30 minutes for enhanced flavor.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The tangy sesame dressing clings to every strand, making each forkful deliciously addicting.
  • Even on the busiest days, it offers a fast, refreshing meal that doesn&apost feel like a compromise.
02 -
  • If you skimp on rinsing the soba noodles, they&aposll turn into a gummy, tangled mass—I learned that lesson quick.
  • Whisking the dressing vigorously makes it silky and helps it cling to the noodles much better.
03 -
  • Wetting your hands before tossing the noodles helps keep them from clumping and makes mixing easy.
  • Drizzle a bit of dressing onto the veggies before tossing with noodles for brighter, more balanced flavor.
Go Back