Creamy Cold Noodles with Cucumber (Printable View)

A creamy and flavorful cold noodle dish with peanut sesame sauce and cucumber.

# What You Need:

→ Noodles

01 - 350 g dried wheat noodles such as Chinese wheat noodles, spaghetti, or soba

→ Sauce

02 - 4 tbsp peanut butter creamy, unsweetened
03 - 2 tbsp toasted sesame paste tahini or Chinese sesame paste
04 - 2 tbsp soy sauce
05 - 2 tbsp rice vinegar
06 - 1 tbsp sesame oil
07 - 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
08 - 1 garlic clove, finely grated
09 - 1–2 tsp freshly grated ginger
10 - 1–2 tsp chili-garlic sauce optional, to taste
11 - 3–4 tbsp warm water to thin sauce as needed

→ Toppings

12 - 1 large cucumber, julienned or thinly sliced
13 - 2–3 scallions, thinly sliced
14 - 2 tbsp roasted peanuts, roughly chopped
15 - 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
16 - Fresh cilantro or mint leaves optional
17 - Lime wedges optional

# How To Make It:

01 - Cook the noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water until completely cool. Set aside to drain thoroughly.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together peanut butter, sesame paste, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey or maple syrup, garlic, ginger, and chili-garlic sauce if using. Add warm water a tablespoon at a time until a smooth, pourable sauce forms.
03 - Place the cooled noodles in a large mixing bowl. Add most of the sauce and toss to combine thoroughly. If the noodles are too sticky, add a little more water or sauce until evenly coated.
04 - Arrange noodles on serving plates. Top generously with cucumber slices, scallions, chopped peanuts, sesame seeds, and fresh herbs. Serve with lime wedges if desired. Drizzle with any remaining sauce.
05 - Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate for up to 2 hours before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • This dish screams summer, making it the ideal way to enjoy warm weather with minimal cooking.
  • The peanut-sesame sauce is versatile, and you can customize it to match your taste or dietary preferences.
02 -
  • Never underestimate the importance of cooling the noodles completely; warm noodles can ruin the dish!
  • Adjust the sauce's thickness with warm water until it's just right for you.
03 -
  • Using freshly grated garlic and ginger enhances the dish's aroma; don't skip this step!
  • For a subtle sweetness, try maple syrup—it adds a different depth.
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