Spicy Asian Cold Noodle Salad
This Spicy Asian Cold Noodle Salad is a vibrant and flavorful dish that brings together the deliciousness of buckwheat soba noodles with a zesty and slightly sweet sauce. Ideal for warm days or as a refreshing side dish, this salad features a perfect blend of soy sauce, tahini, and chili oil that provides customizable heat to satisfy your taste buds. Tossed with fresh green onions, this dish can be served as is or paired as a scrumptious dipping sauce for spring rolls and egg rolls. The balance of spiciness makes it versatile for different palates, and you can add your own favorite vegetables or protein to make it a more complete meal. Whether served as a light lunch or at a potluck event, it’s bound to impress!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
soy sauce
1/3 cup (heated until reduced)
molasses
1/2 teaspoon (added to the reduced soy sauce)
sesame oil
1/4 cup (mixed into the sauce)
tahini
1/4 cup (mixed into the sauce)
brown sugar
1/4 cup (mixed into the sauce)
chili oil
1 tablespoon (mixed into the sauce)
balsamic vinegar or red wine vinegar
3 tablespoons (mixed into the sauce)
green onion
1/2 bunch (sliced)
salt
to taste (added into the sauce)
soba noodles
1/2 lb (boiled, drained, and chilled)
Instructions
1
In a small saucepan, heat the soy sauce over medium heat until it reduces by half, stirring occasionally.
2
Once reduced, lower the heat and add the molasses. Warm for about 1 minute, stirring to combine, then transfer the mixture to a mixing bowl.
3
Stir in the sesame oil, tahini, brown sugar, chili oil, and vinegar until well blended. Adjust salt to taste.
4
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the soba noodles and cook according to package instructions, usually about 3 minutes.
5
Once the noodles are cooked, drain and immediately plunge them into a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process.
6
After a few minutes, drain the noodles again and rinse under cold water to remove any excess starch.
7
Combine the cold noodles with the sauce mixture and sliced green onions. Toss until well coated.
8
Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld. Serve cold, garnished with additional green onions if desired.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Spicy Asian Cold Noodle Salad?
It is a vibrant and flavorful dish featuring buckwheat soba noodles tossed in a zesty, sweet, and spicy sauce.
What type of noodles are used in this recipe?
This recipe specifically uses buckwheat soba noodles.
How do I prepare the soy sauce for the dressing?
Heat the soy sauce in a small saucepan over medium heat until it reduces by half, stirring occasionally.
Why should I reduce the soy sauce?
Reducing the soy sauce concentrates its flavor and creates a thicker base for the dressing.
When do I add the molasses?
Add the molasses once the soy sauce has reduced, warming it for about 1 minute while stirring.
What ingredients make up the sauce?
The sauce consists of reduced soy sauce, molasses, sesame oil, tahini, brown sugar, chili oil, and balsamic or red wine vinegar.
Is this salad spicy?
Yes, it contains chili oil which provides a customizable heat level.
Can I adjust the spice level?
Yes, the heat is customizable based on the amount of chili oil you choose to add.
What kind of vinegar works best for this salad?
You can use either balsamic vinegar or red wine vinegar.
How long do I cook the soba noodles?
Cook them according to the package instructions, which is typically about 3 minutes.
What is the purpose of the ice bath?
Plunging the noodles into ice water immediately stops the cooking process to keep them from becoming mushy.
Should I rinse the noodles after they are cooked?
Yes, rinse them under cold water after the ice bath to remove excess starch.
Can I make this salad in advance?
Yes, it is a great make-ahead dish and should be chilled for at least 30 minutes before serving.
How should this noodle salad be served?
It should be served cold, garnished with additional green onions if desired.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this recipe is vegetarian-friendly.
Can I add other vegetables to this salad?
Absolutely, you can add your own favorite vegetables to make it a more complete meal.
Can I add protein to this dish?
Yes, you can easily add your favorite protein to customize the salad.
What role does tahini play in the recipe?
Tahini adds a creamy texture and a nutty depth of flavor to the sauce.
What else can I use the sauce for?
The sauce can also be served as a scrumptious dipping sauce for spring rolls and egg rolls.
What gives the sauce its sweetness?
The sweetness comes from the combination of molasses and brown sugar.
Is this salad good for hot weather?
Yes, its refreshing nature makes it ideal for warm days.
Can I serve this at a potluck?
Yes, it is a great dish for potluck events and is bound to impress guests.
What is the texture of the finished dish?
The dish features smooth, chilled noodles tossed in a rich, slightly creamy sauce with fresh, sliced green onions.
How many ingredients are required?
The recipe calls for 10 main ingredients, including the noodles and seasoning.
Why is the salad chilled before serving?
Chilling for at least 30 minutes allows the flavors to properly meld together.
What kind of onions are used?
The recipe uses half a bunch of sliced green onions.
Is it necessary to salt the sauce?
Salt should be added to the sauce mixture to taste before tossing with the noodles.
Can I use regular pasta instead of soba?
While soba provides a specific flavor, you could substitute other noodles, though it will change the dish's profile.
What is the main flavor profile of the dish?
The profile is a balance of savory soy, nutty tahini, sweet sugars, and zesty chili heat.
How much sesame oil is needed?
The recipe requires 1/4 cup of sesame oil for the dressing.