Description
This refreshing Japanese noodle salad features soba noodles tossed with crisp sugar snap peas, red pepper, and cucumber ribbons, all dressed in a creamy sesame tahini dressing. It’s a quick and simple dish perfect for a light lunch or dinner with vibrant flavors and a satisfying texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Noodles and Vegetables
- 200g soba noodles
- 100g sugar snap peas, halved lengthways
- 1 red pepper, deseeded and thinly sliced
- ½ cucumber, sliced or peeled into ribbons
Dressing
- 2 tsp sesame seeds, toasted
- 2 tbsp tahini paste
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 2 tbsp water (for thinning the tahini)
Instructions
- Prepare the dressing: In a small bowl, mix the tahini paste with 2 tablespoons of water until smooth and creamy. Then stir in the soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sugar until the sugar dissolves completely. Set the dressing aside to allow the flavors to meld.
- Cook the noodles: Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the soba noodles according to the package instructions, typically about 4-5 minutes. Once cooked, drain the noodles and rinse thoroughly under cold running water to stop cooking and remove excess starch.
- Assemble the salad: Divide the cooled noodles evenly between two serving bowls. Top each with the halved sugar snap peas, thinly sliced red pepper, and cucumber ribbons for freshness and crunch.
- Serve: Just before eating, pour the prepared sesame dressing evenly over the top of the noodles and vegetables. Sprinkle with the toasted sesame seeds for a nutty finish. Toss lightly if desired and enjoy immediately.
Notes
- To toast sesame seeds, heat them in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until golden and fragrant, stirring frequently.
- Rinsing the noodles under cold water prevents them from sticking together and cools them for this salad-style dish.
- You can substitute tamari for soy sauce to make this gluten-free.
- For extra protein, add grilled tofu or cooked edamame.
- This dish is best served fresh as the vegetables may lose crunch if left too long.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Japanese
Keywords: Japanese noodles, soba noodle salad, sesame dressing, tahini, vegetable noodle salad, quick Japanese recipe
