• About
    • About Me
      • resources for a simple blog
    • Work with Me
  • Recipe Index
    • Purees
    • Brunch
    • Dessert
    • Dinner
    • Drinks
    • Lunch
    • Side Dishes
    • Snacks
  • Disclosures
  • Subscribe
  • The Beginners Guide to Simple Meal Planning

Simple Gray T-Shirt

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Subscribe
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Subscribe
×
Home » Recipes

4-Ingredient Cold Sesame Noodles

Published: Jul 1, 2024 by Marni Katz · This post may contain affiliate links ·

Jump to Recipe
pin for pinterest
pin for pinterest
pin for pinterest
pin for pinterest

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!

Sesame noodles in a bowl with chopsticks

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

ingredients for sesame noodles
  • 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.

soy vay, sesame oil and sugar for a dressing in a jar

As soon as the pasta is cooked, drain and add to the mixing bowl.

sesame dressing being poured over noodles

Toss the noodles with the sesame sauce to combine.

tossing dressing with cooked pasta in a mixing bowl

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.

cold sesame noodles in serving bowl with chopsticks

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.
sesame noodles in a bowl

Looking for other simple side dishes? 

Check out these other quick and easy recipe ideas:

  • mason jar of onion oil with whole yellow onions next to it
    2 Ingredient Onion Oil
  • pieces of apple kugel stack with sliced apples
    Apple Matzo Kugel
  • carrot puree in a small glass dish
    Simple Carrot Puree (for babies and adults)
  • ramekin of lemon butter with cut lemons
    Simple Lemon Butter Sauce (2-Ingredients)

Did you try this recipe and and love it? 😍 Let me know by leaving a comment below or 5 ⭐ rating!

And make sure to sign up for my newsletter and follow along on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook for more simple recipes! Remember to tag us on social channels when you make a recipe at #simplegraytshirt! I 💖 seeing what you’re up to in the kitchen!

📖 Recipe

cold sesame noodles swirled in a bowl with chop sticks

4 Ingredient Cold Sesame Noodles

Marni Katz
These 4 Ingredient Cold Sesame Noodles are super simple to make and packed with flavor. Cook your favorite noodles, toss them in a homemade sesame sauce, sprinkle with sesame seeds and fresh green onions. It’s a perfect make ahead dish for busy nights or to share with friends at a picnic or potluck. Serve it warm or cold, and feel free to add your favorite veggies or proteins.
5 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 10 minutes mins
Total Time 15 minutes mins
Course Side Dish
Cuisine Asian
Servings 8 servings
Calories 394 kcal

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

For the optional garnish:
  • 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.
Like many pasta salads, this dish is a great make ahead recipe.  Just be sure to mix it up each day so that the sesame dressing is always evenly distributed.

Nutrition

Calories: 394kcalCarbohydrates: 53gProtein: 9gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 2gSodium: 535mgPotassium: 174mgFiber: 2gSugar: 10gCalcium: 54mgIron: 2mg
Keyword easy noodles, noodle recipe, sesame noodles
Tried this recipe?Let me know what you think!

More Recipes

  • artichoke baked pasta in a baking dish
    6-Ingredient Artichoke Pasta Bake (No Spinach Needed!)
  • funfetti dip in a glass bowl with sprinkles surrounded by dipping options
    4-Ingredient Funfetti Dip (from a cake mix)
  • two chocolate sandwich cookies next to a glass of milk.
    4-Ingredient Chocolate Sandwich Cookies (from a cake mix)
  • brownie mix cookies stacked 5 high with a glass of milk in background
    4-Ingredient Brownie Mix Cookies

About Marni Katz

Marni Katz is the recipe developer, photographer and writer behind Simple Gray T-Shirt. She wants to help people keep things simple in the kitchen. With simple recipes, easy menu ideas and plenty of tips and tricks along the way, she wants getting a meal on the table to be as simple as putting on your favorite gray tee!
"I want to inspire you to get back in the kitchen and do this, because you can!"

Comments

  1. Matt - Total Feasts says

    September 11, 2019 at 3:51 pm

    5 stars
    Looks like a great little dish for a gathering!

    Reply
5 from 2 votes (1 rating without comment)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

I'm so glad your here!

As a busy mom of three, I believe in keeping recipes simple. 7-ingredients or less is my goal, and everything is kid-tested and approved!

More about me

Most Popular Recipes

  • slice of pudding pie on a plate with whip cream and a fork
    Vanilla Pudding Pie with Graham Cracker Crust

  • vanilla mouse in a glass jar with a graham cracker
    2 Ingredient Vanilla Mousse (aka Whipped Pudding)

  • chocolate pudding pie with a slice removed, garnished with crushed oreos
    No Bake Chocolate Pudding Pie

  • three ingredient garlic butter sauce in a mason jar with cloves of garlic
    3-Ingredient Garlic Butter Sauce


12 Months - Dinner Done E-Book

Grab this printable e-book and get 12 months of dinner ideas and 52 weekly theme ideas, with video tutorial bonus and other great extras!

grab your copy now!

As Seen In

as featured in with logos from media features

Footer

↑ back to top
12 months dinner done pin

Don't know what to make for dinner?

Get my 12 Months - Dinner Done eBook!

12 months of dinner ideas done for you AND an easy to use method for creating dinner menus your family will LOVE!

Grab it here!

Details

  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Accessibility Policy

Stay In Touch

  • Sign Up! for emails
  • Instagram
  • Facebook

About

  • About
  • FAQ
  • Contact

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2025 Foodie Pro on the Feast Plugin

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.