Sesame Ginger Cold Noodle Salad

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-26 · Updated 2026-04-26

Chilled noodles tossed in a tangy sesame-ginger dressing with crunchy cucumbers and shredded carrots for a refreshing Korean-inspired salad. This Korean recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 15 minutes, pairs somyeon noodles (thin wheat noodles), cucumber, julienned, carrot, shredded for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 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.

Ingredients

• 8 oz somyeon noodles (thin wheat noodles)
• 1 medium cucumber, julienned
• 1 medium carrot, shredded
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar
• 2 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
• 2 stalks green onions, sliced
• 1/4 tsp (optional) crushed red pepper flakes

The chef’s knife we’d prep this with → Best Chef's Knives for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add 8 oz somyeon noodles and cook for 3-4 minutes until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water until chilled. Drain again well.
2. Step 2: In a bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp rice vinegar, 2 tbsp sesame oil, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tsp grated fresh ginger, and 1 minced garlic clove until smooth.
3. Step 3: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled noodles with 1 medium julienned cucumber and 1 medium shredded carrot.
4. Step 4: Pour the dressing over the noodles and vegetables, tossing gently to coat evenly.
5. Step 5: Sprinkle 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds, 2 sliced green onions, and 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (if using) on top before serving chilled.