Best Soba Noodle Salad with Sesame
A refreshing cold noodle salad with nutty soba, crisp veggies, and a tangy sesame dressing. This japanese-inspired salads (vegetarian) ready in about 32 minutes pairs soba noodles, water, rice vinegar 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.
Ingredients
- 8 oz soba noodles
- 4 cups water
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 clove, minced garlic
- 1 medium, julienned cucumber
- 1 medium, julienned carrot
- 1 cup, shelled edamame
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring 4 cups water to a boil in a large pot. Add 8 oz soba noodles and cook for 6-7 minutes until al dente. Drain immediately and rinse under cold water until completely cool.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp sesame oil, 1 tsp honey, and 1 minced garlic clove until the honey dissolves.
- Step 3: In a large bowl, toss the cooled soba noodles with 1 medium julienned cucumber, 1 medium julienned carrot, and 1 cup shelled edamame.
- Step 4: Pour the dressing over the noodles and toss gently until evenly coated. Chill for 30 minutes to let flavors meld.
- Step 5: Serve chilled, sprinkled with 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds, and garnish with extra edamame if desired.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Best Soba Noodle Salad with Sesame take to make?
Total time is about 32 minutes (25 min prep + 7 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 Best Soba Noodle Salad with Sesame?
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 soba noodles from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Best Soba Noodle Salad with Sesame?
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 Best Soba Noodle Salad with Sesame 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 Best Soba Noodle Salad with Sesame vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
My partner, who's usually picky, absolutely loved this.
- ★★★★★
Used frozen vegetables instead of fresh and honestly couldn't tell the difference.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
