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
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
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.
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.
