Description
Delicious sesame noodle bowls bring Asian-inspired comfort straight to your kitchen, blending savory sauces with tender noodles and crisp vegetables. Rich umami flavors and quick preparation make this dish a perfect weeknight meal for hungry souls craving bold, satisfying cuisine.
Ingredients
Scale
Sesame Noodle Bowls
Main Ingredients:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) noodles (spaghetti, soba, rice noodles, or ramen)
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 cup thinly sliced bell peppers
- 1 cup chopped cucumber
Protein and Garnish:
- 1 cup cooked shredded chicken, tofu, shrimp, or edamame
- ½ cup sliced green onions
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro (optional)
Sesame Sauce Ingredients:
- ¼ cup soy sauce (use low-sodium if preferred)
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (optional, for sweetness)
- 1 tablespoon sriracha (optional, for spice)
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Immerse the noodles in a generously salted boiling water bath, allowing them to dance and soften until they reach a perfect al dente texture. Quickly transfer to a colander and rinse with cold water to halt the cooking process, then set aside to cool and prevent further transformation.
- Craft a vibrant sesame elixir by whisking together the umami-rich soy sauce, nutty sesame oil, tangy rice vinegar, golden honey, fiery sriracha, zesty ginger, aromatic garlic, and toasted sesame seeds until they meld into a harmonious blend of flavors.
- Transform your vegetables into a colorful medley of textures – julienne the carrots into delicate matchsticks, slice bell peppers into crisp crescents, and chop green onions into delicate rings that will add brightness to the dish.
- Merge the cooled noodles with the prepared vegetable orchestra in a spacious mixing vessel, then cascade the sesame sauce over the ingredients, gently tossing to ensure each strand and slice is lovingly coated with the fragrant dressing.
- Enhance the bowl with a protein companion of your choice – whether it’s tender shredded chicken, silky tofu, succulent shrimp, or protein-packed edamame – integrating it seamlessly into the noodle landscape.
- Present the noodle creation in individual serving bowls, crowned with refreshing cucumber slivers, verdant cilantro leaves, and a sprinkle of additional toasted sesame seeds to provide a final flourish of texture and visual appeal.
Notes
- Customize noodle types by swapping wheat noodles with gluten-free rice noodles or zucchini spirals for a low-carb alternative.
- Balance sauce intensity by adjusting sriracha and honey levels, ensuring a perfect harmony of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors.
- Enhance meal prep by preparing sauce and chopping vegetables in advance, storing separately to maintain freshness and crunch.
- Elevate protein options by marinating chicken, tofu, or shrimp in extra sesame sauce before cooking for deeper, more complex flavor profiles.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 30mg