This cold sesame noodles recipe is one of the first recipes I ever memorized when I moved away from home. But, let’s be clear, I memorized it, and 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? If you can remember the ratio, you can make 4-ingredient sesame noodle recipe anywhere, anytime!
As a mom of 3 and someone who loves hosting, these noodles are an easy side dish to whip up and can go with a ton of different meals. As easy to make as my Greek or Italian Pasta Salad, this cold sesame noodles recipe is also great to bring to a picnic or potluck. Pack them up, grab a few pairs of chopsticks and enjoy straight from their container!
Balance the flavors
As in many Asian dishes, you want a balance of sweet, salty, sour and spicy in your food. These noodles really take that into consideration and while they aren’t spicy as written, you could certainly add some extra spice to them for an added dimension.
Key Ingredients
- Toasted Sesame oil: Adds a punch of umami to this dish and really brings the sesame flavor forward. You can find the toasted sesame oil at lots of grocery stores, or add it to your next Thrive Market order (use this link to save 30% off your order).
- Soy Vay: This marinade/sauce has a little sweet, a little salty and a lot of flavor. You can find Soy Vay at most major grocery stores, Target, and Amazon.
- Noodles: You want to use a long pasta shape here. I like thin spaghetti, angel hair or fettucine.
🪄The magic in this recipe comes from the two jarred condiments, toasted sesame oil and Soy Vay. Now these should both be pantry staples, but if they aren’t, go out now and add them to your pantry. I usually get mine both at Trader Joes, since they have a house brand of both items that are delicious. You can thank me later.
Step by step directions
First, get a pot of boiling water going on the stove. Once it's come to a boil, season the water with salt cook the pasta according to the package directions.
While the pasta is cooking, whisk the remaining ingredients together.
As soon as the pasta is cooked, drain and add to the mixing bowl.
Toss the noodles with the sesame sauce to combine.
Sesame noodles taste even better then next day and can be eaten warm or cold. Feel free to serve them right after you make them OR pop them into the fridge overnight for an easy make ahead side dish.
How to Store
To make storage of the cold sesame noodles super simple, make them in a glass mixing bowl that has a lid. That way, you can pop them into the fridge and take them with you when you need them. Or take the top off and use the glass bowl as your serving bowl.
Having a lid will also make it easier to mix up the noodles each day to make sure the sesame dressing is being redistributed well after sitting.
Cold sesame noodles will last in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Variations
I'm not normally one to suggest a garnish but here are two that elevate this dish:
- Sesame Seeds: Toasted or plain, sesame seeds just give this dish a little something extra. They provide a nice additional texture and depth of flavor. Simply sprinkle them over the entire dish just before serving.
- Chopped chives: Use kitchen shears to cut your chives up and then sprinkle over the tops of the sesame noodles. They add a nice touch of color and a sweet oniony flavor.
Make it a meal
- Serve this as a side dish to my easy Sesame Ginger Salmon, with your favorite BBQ chicken or some crispy pot stickers.
- Or make it a one dish dinner by adding shredded chicken and more of the sesame dressing.
- Add in steamed veggies (like broccoli) or these charred sugar snap peas for a quick and easy veggie full dinner.
Looking for other simple side dishes?
Check out these other quick and easy recipe ideas:
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📖 Recipe
4 Ingredient Cold Sesame Noodles
Ingredients
- ½ cup Soy Vay
- ½ cup Toasted Sesame Oil
- ⅓ cup Sugar
- 1 lb Thin Spaghetti (or other thin long pasta)
- 4 tablespoons sesame seeds optional
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package directions.
- In a small bowl or mason jar, mix together the soy vay, sesame oil and sugar.
- When pasta is cooked, drain it well, put into a large mixing bowl and then add to the sesame sauce mixture.
- Toss the sauce and pasta thoroughly to coat, then cover and refrigerate for at least a few hours, up to 5 days. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onion just before serving if desired.
Notes
- Sesame Seeds: Toasted or plain, sesame seeds just give this dish a little something extra. They provide a nice additional texture and depth of flavor. Simply sprinkle them over the entire dish just before serving.
- Chopped chives: Use kitchen shears to cut your chives up and then sprinkle over the tops of the sesame noodles. They add a nice touch of color and a sweet oniony flavor.
Matt - Total Feasts says
Looks like a great little dish for a gathering!