Soba Noodle Cold Salad (Print out)

A vibrant soba and vegetable dish featuring a creamy nutty dressing and refreshing crisp textures.

# What You'll Need:

→ Noodles

01 - 9 oz soba noodles

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium carrot, julienned
03 - 1 small cucumber, thinly sliced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
05 - 2 spring onions, finely sliced
06 - 1 cup shredded red cabbage (approx. 1.8 oz)

→ Dressing

07 - 3 tbsp smooth peanut butter (or tahini for sesame flavor)
08 - 2 tbsp soy sauce
09 - 1 tbsp rice vinegar
10 - 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
11 - 1 tbsp maple syrup or honey
12 - 1 tsp freshly grated ginger
13 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
14 - 1–2 tbsp water, to thin dressing

→ Garnishes

15 - 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
16 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
17 - 1 small red chili, thinly sliced (optional)
18 - Lime wedges, for serving

# How to Make It:

01 - Boil soba noodles according to package instructions (5–7 minutes). Drain and rinse thoroughly with cold water to halt cooking and remove excess starch. Set aside.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together peanut butter (or tahini), soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, maple syrup or honey, grated ginger, and minced garlic. Add water slowly, 1 tablespoon at a time, until dressing reaches a smooth, pourable consistency.
03 - Add the cooled soba noodles, julienned carrot, sliced cucumber, bell pepper, spring onions, and shredded red cabbage to the dressing. Toss thoroughly to ensure even coating.
04 - Divide the salad among bowls. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds, chopped cilantro, and optional chili slices. Serve chilled with lime wedges on the side.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under half an hour, which means you can make it on a Tuesday night without drama.
  • The dressing is ridiculously creamy and nutty without needing any cream, and it clings to every noodle like it was made for each other.
  • Leftovers stay delicious for days, so meal prep suddenly feels less like a chore.
02 -
  • Rinsing the noodles thoroughly is non-negotiable; skip this and they'll clump into a starchy mess no matter how good your dressing is.
  • The dressing thickens as it sits, so if you're making this ahead, thin it with a splash of water right before serving.
03 -
  • Toast your own sesame seeds in a dry pan for two minutes before sprinkling them on; the difference between raw and toasted is the difference between bland and spectacular.
  • Ginger goes further when you grate it finely, and the texture matters—grated releases more juice and flavor than minced.
Go back