Cold Soba Noodle Salad with Sesame and Ginger
Chilled soba noodles tossed with crunchy vegetables and a zesty ginger-sesame dressing for a refreshing lunch. This japanese-inspired salads (vegetarian, gluten-free) ready in about 25 minutes pairs soba noodles, rice vinegar, soy sauce into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. 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
- 8 oz soba noodles
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp, grated fresh ginger
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots
- 1/2 cup, julienned cucumber
- 1/2 cup, shelled edamame
- 2 tbsp roasted sesame seeds
- 2 tbsp, chopped scallions
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook 8 oz soba noodles in a large pot of salted boiling water for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain immediately and rinse under cold water until completely cool. Drain well and set aside.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup rice vinegar, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp sesame oil, 1 tbsp honey, and 1 tsp grated fresh ginger until honey dissolves.
- Step 3: In a large bowl, combine cooled soba noodles, 1/2 cup shredded carrots, 1/2 cup julienned cucumber, and 1/2 cup shelled edamame. Pour dressing over and toss until evenly coated.
- Step 4: Divide salad between plates and top with 2 tbsp roasted sesame seeds and 2 tbsp chopped scallions.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Cold Soba Noodle Salad with Sesame and Ginger take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (20 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 Cold Soba Noodle Salad with Sesame and Ginger?
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 Soba Noodle Salad with Sesame and Ginger?
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 Soba Noodle Salad with Sesame and Ginger 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.
Is Cold Soba Noodle Salad with Sesame and Ginger vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian, gluten-free, vegan based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Simple and delicious.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
