Asian-Inspired Sesame Noodle Salad

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A light and crunchy noodle salad with sesame dressing, shredded carrots, and edamame for a nutritious twist on a classic dish. This asian-inspired salads (vegetarian, low sodium option) ready in about 35 minutes pairs ramen noodles, carrots, edamame into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 4.2 (11 ratings) Prep: 25 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Asian cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Cook 8 oz ramen noodles according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water. Set aside to cool.
  2. Step 2: Grate 2 medium carrots into fine shreds. Remove edamame from pods and blanch in boiling water for 2 minutes. Drain and cool.
  3. Step 3: In a large bowl, combine cooled noodles, grated carrots, and blanched edamame. Finely chop 1/4 cup cilantro and add to the bowl.
  4. Step 4: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp sesame oil, 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, and 1 tbsp honey. Pour the dressing over the noodle mixture. Toss until well coated. Sprinkle with 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Asian-Inspired Sesame Noodle Salad take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (25 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Asian-Inspired Sesame Noodle Salad?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ramen noodles from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Asian-Inspired Sesame Noodle Salad?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Asian-Inspired Sesame Noodle Salad for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Asian-Inspired Sesame Noodle Salad vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian, low sodium option based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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