Chilled Somen Noodles with Ginger-Sesame Dipping Sauce

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

Light and refreshing chilled somen noodles served with a zesty ginger and sesame dipping sauce, perfect for warm days or a simple snack. This japanese ready in about 10 minutes pairs somen noodles, water, ginger root for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 2, 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: 5 min Cook: 5 min Serves 2 Japanese cuisine 280 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring 4 cups of water to a rolling boil in a large pot. Add 200 g somen noodles and cook for exactly 2 minutes, stirring gently to separate strands.
  2. Step 2: Immediately drain the noodles and rinse under cold running water until completely chilled and no longer sticky.
  3. Step 3: Place 1 cup crushed ice in a serving bowl and spread the chilled noodles on top to keep cool.
  4. Step 4: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tbsp mirin, 1 tsp sugar, 1 tsp sesame oil, and 1 tbsp freshly grated ginger until sugar dissolves and sauce is fragrant.
  5. Step 5: Stir in 2 tbsp chopped scallions and 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds into the dipping sauce.
  6. Step 6: Serve the chilled somen noodles alongside the ginger-sesame dipping sauce, garnished with 4 shiso leaves if using, allowing diners to dip noodles as desired.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Chilled Somen Noodles with Ginger-Sesame Dipping Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 10 minutes (5 min prep + 5 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 Chilled Somen Noodles with Ginger-Sesame Dipping Sauce?

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 somen noodles from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Chilled Somen Noodles with Ginger-Sesame Dipping Sauce?

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 Chilled Somen Noodles with Ginger-Sesame Dipping Sauce for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Chilled Somen Noodles with Ginger-Sesame Dipping Sauce?

Japanese japanese 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.

What others are saying

Related recipes