Cold Sesame Soba Noodle Salad with Julienned Vegetables

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A refreshing, nutty cold soba noodle salad tossed with crisp julienned vegetables and a savory sesame dressing, perfect for warm weather. This japanese-inspired noodles (vegetarian) ready in about 25 minutes pairs soba noodles, large, julienned carrot, medium, julienned cucumber for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Japanese cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook 8 oz soba noodles according to package instructions, about 5-6 minutes. Drain and rinse noodles under cold water until cool, then drain well.
  2. Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp toasted sesame oil, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 1/2 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tsp honey, and 1 tsp grated fresh ginger until well combined.
  3. Step 3: Add the cooled soba noodles to the dressing along with 1 large julienned carrot, 1 medium julienned cucumber, 1 small julienned red bell pepper, and 3 thinly sliced scallions. Toss gently to coat everything evenly.
  4. Step 4: Transfer the noodle salad to a serving bowl and sprinkle with 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds. Chill for 15 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Cold Sesame Soba Noodle Salad with Julienned Vegetables take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (15 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 Cold Sesame Soba Noodle Salad with Julienned Vegetables?

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 Cold Sesame Soba Noodle Salad with Julienned Vegetables?

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 Cold Sesame Soba Noodle Salad with Julienned Vegetables 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 Cold Sesame Soba Noodle Salad with Julienned Vegetables 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.

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