Cold Shanghai-Style Sesame Noodles with Scallions and Cucumber

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-29 · Updated 2026-05-29

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

Chilled wheat noodles tossed in a savory sesame paste sauce, brightened with fresh scallions and crunchy cucumber for a refreshing cold noodle dish. This Chinese-inspired noodle recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 21 minutes, pairs dried wheat noodles, soy sauce, black vinegar 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: 6 min Serves 4 Chinese cuisine 320 cal/serving

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Ingredients

8 oz dried wheat noodles
3 tbsp sesame paste (tahini or Chinese sesame paste)
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp black vinegar
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp sesame oil
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 cup cucumber, julienned
2 tbsp scallions, thinly sliced
1 tsp chili oil (optional)
3 tbsp hot water

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Instructions

Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 8 oz dried wheat noodles and cook for 5-6 minutes until just tender but firm. Drain noodles and rinse under cold running water until completely cool; drain well.
Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp sesame paste, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp black vinegar, 1 tsp sugar, 1 tsp sesame oil, 1 minced garlic clove, and 3 tbsp hot water until smooth and creamy.
Step 3: Transfer cooled noodles into a large mixing bowl. Pour sesame sauce over noodles and toss gently but thoroughly to coat every strand.
Step 4: Add 1/2 cup julienned cucumber and 2 tbsp thinly sliced scallions. Toss again to distribute evenly.
Step 5: Drizzle 1 tsp chili oil over noodles if desired for a spicy kick. Serve immediately or chilled as a refreshing appetizer or light meal.