Print

Cold Sesame Noodle Cucumber Salad Recipe with Chili Crisp

cold sesame noodle cucumber salad - featured image
Print Recipe

A quick and easy cold sesame noodle cucumber salad with a spicy chili crisp kick, perfect for warm summer evenings. This refreshing dish balances cool, crunchy cucumbers with a creamy sesame dressing and subtle heat.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225g) dry thin wheat noodles like somen or spaghetti
  • 1 large cucumber, thinly sliced or julienned
  • 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
  • 3 tablespoons light soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
  • 2 tablespoons chili crisp
  • 2 stalks green onion, thinly sliced
  • Optional: pinch of crushed peanuts or chopped cilantro for garnish

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (225g) of noodles and cook according to package instructions until just tender, usually 3 to 5 minutes for somen. Avoid overcooking to keep the noodles firm.
  2. Drain and immediately rinse noodles under cold running water to stop cooking and cool the noodles. Toss gently to separate and set aside to drain thoroughly.
  3. While noodles cook, thinly slice or julienne 1 large cucumber. Discard seeds if preferred. Place cucumber in a colander, sprinkle with a pinch of salt, and let sit for 10 minutes to draw out excess water. Gently squeeze to remove remaining moisture.
  4. In a mixing bowl, combine 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil, 3 tablespoons light soy sauce, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 teaspoon sugar, and 1 minced garlic clove. Whisk until sugar dissolves and ingredients blend well.
  5. Add drained noodles and cucumber to the dressing. Toss gently to coat evenly.
  6. Fold in 2 tablespoons chili crisp, distributing spicy oil and crunchy bits evenly.
  7. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions on top. Add crushed peanuts or chopped cilantro if desired.
  8. Refrigerate salad for 10-15 minutes before serving to let flavors meld and noodles chill. Serve cold or at room temperature.

Notes

Rinse noodles under cold water immediately after cooking to prevent sticking and overcooking. Salt cucumber slices and let them sweat to keep salad crisp. Adjust chili crisp amount to control heat level. For gluten-free, use rice noodles and tamari instead of soy sauce. Salad tastes better chilled; add fresh cucumber if prepping early to maintain crunch.

Nutrition

Keywords: cold sesame noodle salad, cucumber salad, chili crisp, summer recipe, easy noodle salad, sesame dressing, spicy noodle salad, vegan, gluten-free option

Find it online: https://noshbelle.com/cold-sesame-noodle-cucumber-salad-recipe-with-chili-crisp-easy-and-flavorful/