Toasted Sesame Noodle Salad with Burmese Chili-Lime Dressing

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Cold noodles tossed with toasted sesame seeds and a bright chili-lime dressing reminiscent of Burmese street flavors. This asian-inspired salads ready in about 20 minutes pairs rice vermicelli noodles, sesame seeds, scallions, thinly sliced 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.

★ 4.6 (9 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 5 min Serves 4 Asian cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add 6 oz rice vermicelli noodles. Cook for 3-4 minutes until tender but still firm, then drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking.
  2. Step 2: In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast 3 tbsp sesame seeds for 3-4 minutes until golden and fragrant, stirring frequently to avoid burning. Set aside to cool.
  3. Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp lime juice, 2 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 2 tbsp vegetable oil, 1 minced garlic clove, 1/2 tsp red chili flakes, and 1/2 tsp salt until sugar dissolves.
  4. Step 4: In a large mixing bowl, combine drained noodles with 3 thinly sliced scallions, 1 julienned carrot, 1 julienned cucumber, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro.
  5. Step 5: Pour the chili-lime dressing over the noodles and toss gently to coat evenly.
  6. Step 6: Sprinkle the toasted sesame seeds on top and toss lightly one more time before serving chilled or at room temperature.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Toasted Sesame Noodle Salad with Burmese Chili-Lime 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 Toasted Sesame Noodle Salad with Burmese Chili-Lime 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 rice vermicelli noodles from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Toasted Sesame Noodle Salad with Burmese Chili-Lime 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 Toasted Sesame Noodle Salad with Burmese Chili-Lime 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 Toasted Sesame Noodle Salad with Burmese Chili-Lime Dressing?

Asian 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.

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