Japanese-Inspired Cold Soba Salad with Sesame-Mayo Dressing
A refreshing cold soba noodle salad tossed with crisp vegetables and coated in a creamy sesame-mayo dressing. This Japanese-inspired salad recipe, ready in about 20 minutes, pairs dried soba noodles, cucumber, carrot 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 350 calories and feeds 4, 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 dried soba noodles
- 1 medium, julienned cucumber
- 1 large, julienned carrot
- 3, thinly sliced scallions
- 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 3 tbsp mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 tsp grated fresh ginger
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add 8 oz dried soba noodles and cook for 5 minutes until just tender but firm. Drain and rinse under cold water until completely cool, then drain well.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, combine 1 medium julienned cucumber, 1 large julienned carrot, and 3 thinly sliced scallions.
- Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp mayonnaise, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tbsp sesame oil, 1 tsp honey, and 1 tsp grated fresh ginger until smooth.
- Step 4: Add the cooled soba noodles to the vegetables, pour the sesame-mayo dressing over, and toss gently to coat evenly.
- Step 5: Sprinkle 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds on top and serve chilled for a light and nutty salad perfect for warm days or a healthy side dish.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Japanese-Inspired Cold Soba Salad with Sesame-Mayo Dressing take to make?
Total time is about 20 minutes (15 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 Japanese-Inspired Cold Soba Salad with Sesame-Mayo Dressing?
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 dried soba noodles from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Japanese-Inspired Cold Soba Salad with Sesame-Mayo Dressing?
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 Japanese-Inspired Cold Soba Salad with Sesame-Mayo Dressing 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.
What goes well with Japanese-Inspired Cold Soba Salad with Sesame-Mayo Dressing?
Japanese salads 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.
