Chilled Sesame Ramen Noodle Salad with Crunchy Vegetables

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-06 · Updated 2026-05-06

A refreshing no-cook salad featuring tender ramen noodles tossed with crisp vegetables, toasted sesame seeds, and a tangy soy-ginger dressing. This Asian-inspired no-cook recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 15 minutes, pairs instant ramen noodles (uncooked), shredded carrot, thinly sliced red bell pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 4, 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.

Ingredients

• 2 packs instant ramen noodles (uncooked)
• 1 cup shredded carrot
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced red bell pepper
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced cucumber
• 1/4 cup chopped green onions
• 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tsp grated fresh ginger
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
• 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro

Instructions

1. Step 1: Break 2 packs of uncooked instant ramen noodles into bite-sized pieces and place in a large bowl.
2. Step 2: Add 1 cup shredded carrot, 1/2 cup thinly sliced red bell pepper, 1/2 cup thinly sliced cucumber, and 1/4 cup chopped green onions to the bowl.
3. Step 3: In a separate small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tsp grated fresh ginger, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil, and 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes until the honey dissolves and the dressing is smooth.
4. Step 4: Pour the dressing over the noodles and vegetables, tossing gently to combine and coat everything evenly.
5. Step 5: Sprinkle 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds and 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro on top, then chill in the refrigerator for 15 minutes before serving to let flavors meld.