These sesame noodles are one of the first recipes I ever memorized when I went to grad school. Let’s be clear, I memorized it, but still called my mom every time I went to go make them. Was it ½, ½, and ⅓ or is it ⅓, ⅓, and ½? You’ll see what I mean when we get into the recipe. I just wanted to be sure I got it right.
This recipe is one my my go-to recipes when I’m asked to bring a dish for something. In grad school, we often served it as part of Shabbat dinner because it made great leftovers for the rest of the week and they are even better the next day.
Now that we are getting into football season (Go Blue!), these sesame noodles make a great addition to any tailgate or game watching party. Having a potluck? These noodles travel well and can be put together in just a few minutes. It’s the almost perfect dish!
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How simple are these sesame noodles to make?
Really, really simple. With only 4 real ingredients and one garnish, these come together in just one bowl and are finished being made as soon as your pasta is done boiling.
The magic in this recipe comes from the two jarred condiments. The first is toasted sesame oil and the second is Soy Vay. Now these should both be pantry staples, but if they aren’t, go out now and add them to your pantry. You can thank me later.
The sesame oil adds a punch of umami to this dish and really brings the sesame flavor forward, while the Soy Vay has a little sweet, a little salty and a lot of flavor. As in so many Asian dishes, you want a balance of sweet, salty, sour and spicy, These noodles really take that into consideration and while they aren’t spicy by the recipe, you could certainly add some spice to them for an added dimension.
You can find the toasted sesame oil and Soy Vay at most major grocery stores, Target, and Amazon. I usually get mine both at Trader Joes, since they have a house brand of both items that I find to be perfect in this recipe.
How important is the sesame seed garnish?
I'm not normally one to suggest a garnish, but in this case the added sesame seeds give this dish a little something extra. They provide a nice additional texture. I like using both toasted and plain sesame seeds. Sprinkle them over the entire dish just before serving.
How do you make sesame noodles?
First, get a pot of boiling water going on the stove. Once it's come to a boil, season the water with salt and drop the pasta in. Then set a timer based on the directions on the package.
In a mixing bowl, while the pasta cooks, whisk the remaining ingredients together. As soon as the pasta is cooked, drain and add to the mixing bowl. Toss with the sauce to combine and voila, sesame noodles!
TIps and Tricks:
- You’ll want to make the sesame noodles ahead of time. Even the day before. They are great at room temperature or cold.
- Make sure to add the noodles to the sauce mixture while they are still hot, it will help them absorb all the delicious flavor in this dish.
- Serve this as a side dish to an easy salmon recipe, with your favorite BBQ chicken or some crispy pot stickers. They are versatile and go with so many flavor profiles.
Looking for other simple sides and pasta dishes? Check out these other great recipes:
📖 Recipe
simple sesame noodles
Ingredients
- ½ cup soy vey
- ½ cup toasted sesame oil
- ⅓ cup sugar
- 1 lb pasta any shape
- 4 tablespoons sesame seeds optional
Instructions
- in a large pot bring water to boil
- in a large mixing bowl mix soy vey, sesame oil and sugar together
- once water is boiling, salt the water and add the pasta, cooking according to package directions
- when pasta is cooked, drain and add to the sauce mixture
- toss thoroughly to coat, cover and refrigerate for at least a few hours
- garnish with sesame seeds just before serving if desired
Notes
Nutrition
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Matt - Total Feasts
Looks like a great little dish for a gathering!