Chili Oil Drizzled Cold Sesame Noodles

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

Chilled wheat noodles tossed in a creamy sesame sauce and finished with a fiery homemade chili oil for a refreshing yet spicy appetizer. This chinese-inspired noodles ready in about 20 minutes pairs wheat noodles, tahini, soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 3, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 10 min Serves 3 Chinese cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Cook 8 oz wheat noodles in a large pot of boiling salted water for 4-5 minutes until just tender; drain and rinse under cold water to cool completely.
  2. Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp tahini, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tsp sugar, and 2 tsp sesame oil until smooth and creamy.
  3. Step 3: To make the chili oil, heat 1/4 cup vegetable oil in a small saucepan over medium heat until shimmering; add 2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes, 1 tsp crushed Sichuan peppercorns, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tsp minced ginger. Stir for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not burnt, then remove from heat.
  4. Step 4: Toss the cooled noodles with the tahini sauce until well coated.
  5. Step 5: Drizzle 2-3 tbsp of the homemade chili oil over the noodles and gently toss to distribute the heat evenly.
  6. Step 6: Garnish with 2 thinly sliced scallions and 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds before serving chilled.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Chili Oil Drizzled Cold Sesame Noodles take to make?

Total time is about 20 minutes (10 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 Chili Oil Drizzled Cold Sesame Noodles?

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 wheat noodles from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Chili Oil Drizzled Cold Sesame Noodles?

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 Chili Oil Drizzled Cold Sesame Noodles for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 3 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 3). 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.

What goes well with Chili Oil Drizzled Cold Sesame Noodles?

Chinese noodles like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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