Asian-Style Sesame Ginger Noodle Salad

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-30 · Updated 2026-06-30

Cold noodles tossed in a bright sesame ginger dressing with crunchy vegetables for a refreshing and light meal. This Asian-inspired salad recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 20 minutes, pairs rice noodles, carrot, red bell pepper 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 280 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.

Ingredients

• 8 oz rice noodles
• 1 large, julienned carrot
• 1 medium, thinly sliced red bell pepper
• 1 medium, seeded and julienned cucumber
• 3, thinly sliced green onions
• 1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar
• 2 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp, grated fresh ginger
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1, minced garlic clove
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

The chef’s knife we’d prep this with → Best Chef's Knives for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add 8 oz rice noodles and cook according to package instructions until just tender, about 4-5 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking; set aside.
2. Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp rice vinegar, 2 tbsp sesame oil, 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger, 1 tbsp honey, 1 minced garlic clove, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes until well combined.
3. Step 3: Add the cooled noodles to the dressing along with 1 large julienned carrot, 1 medium thinly sliced red bell pepper, 1 medium seeded and julienned cucumber, 3 thinly sliced green onions, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro. Toss gently to combine.
4. Step 4: Sprinkle 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds over the top and serve chilled or at room temperature.