Pasta/ Recipes/ Vegetarian

Quick Sesame Soba Noodles

If I had to pick only five meals to eat for the rest of my life, this would be one of them.

It would be completely impossible for me ever to just pick ONE meal, so I’ll give you a top five. Other contenders would probably be my mom’s linguine and clams, boneless buffalo wings from Chili’s, white chicken chili and shrimp Étouffée.

But oh, how I love these sesame noodles!! I’ve actually been making them for years {and shared a version of the recipe on the blog back in 2007}, and they just can’t be beat. I’ve made several variations of this dish, sometimes substituting peanut butter or almond butter for the tahini or honey for the sugar, but there’s just something about this recipe in its original form that remains the absolute best.

All you need is 20 minutes and a few staple ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen right now. Are you ready?

Want to know another reason why I love this recipe so much? Because with it, the dinner opportunities are endless!

You can serve these noodles on their own, sprinkled with some raw veggies like in the photo {my favorite way to enjoy them!}….or you can sear up some tofu and add that to the noodles. You could add chicken, beef or pork. You could also serve these as a sidedish to any meal.

And guess what else? They are another one of those meals that is better the next day!

The sauce is made up of a lot of different, but staple, condiments. Tahini, canola oil, sugar, rice vinegar, soy sauce, red pepper, ginger and garlic make up this sweet and spicy noodle sauce. If you have extra, drizzle it over raw veggies!

These sesame noodles taste best served cold or room temperature. I can’t wait to hear what you guys think — I know you’ll love ’em as much as I do!!

Quick Sesame Soba Noodles

serves 4

Print this Recipe!

Ingredients:

for sauce—

1/2 cup tahini (sesame seed paste)

1/4 cup canola oil

about 3/4 cup hot water (depending on how thick or thin you like your sauce)

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup rice vinegar

1/2 cup soy sauce

1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

2 tsp fresh minced ginger

1 tsp minced garlic

for assembly—

sliced raw sugar snap peas

thinly sliced green onions

sesame seeds

8 oz dry soba noodles

Directions:

Cook soba noodles according to package directions. When done, drain and rinse noodles immediately in cold water. Set aside.

To make the sauce, combine all ingredients (tahini through garlic) in a food processor or blender. Process until very smooth. Add the hot water last, while the motor is running on your food processor or blender. You may not need all 3/4 cup water — just add enough until desired consistency is reached. This sauce shouldn’t be too thick or overly thin and runny.

To serve, pour desired about of sauce over noodles and top with sliced snap peas, green onions and sesame seeds.

Time:

20 minutes

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  • Ashley @ LibertyBelles
    October 19, 2012 at 3:54 am

    Oh this looks so good and easy to make. Definitely want to add it to the list!

  • Michelle @ Eat Move Balance
    October 19, 2012 at 4:40 am

    I have actually never had soba noodles before. I wonder how they differ from other noodles in taste, texture and nutrition.

    • Heather
      October 19, 2012 at 11:12 am

      The taste is ‘nuttier’ in my opinion and they’re definitely softer in texture that Italian noodles (from my experience with them). They’re really tasty and if you get them at an Asian food store they’re much cheaper than the ones they mark up at the grocery store!

  • Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat
    October 19, 2012 at 4:41 am

    This might just be my dinner tonight! I love Asian food and there are a few Asian-inspired dishes I could probably eat every night without getting bored. Oh, and I second your comment about noodles making awesome leftovers!

  • Molly @ RDexposed
    October 19, 2012 at 5:10 am

    I don’t think I’ve had anything with soba noodles before.
    Also, let it be known that my kitchen is so bare that I have almost none of those ingredients right now!

  • Laura (Blogging Over Thyme)
    October 19, 2012 at 6:28 am

    Yum! I have a package of soba noodles in the pantry right now. This looks so good! I love meals like this.

  • Abby@ Totes Delish
    October 19, 2012 at 6:47 am

    I never know what to do with the Soba noodles, this looks so so good!

  • deva by definition
    October 19, 2012 at 8:06 am

    I have a package of soba noodles I am slowly working my way through. I’m definitely bookmarking this recipe for next time I want soba!

  • Olviya@servingsisters.com
    October 19, 2012 at 8:11 am

    These noodles look delicious!!! Can’t wait to make them.
    On another note,
    My husband and I wanted to come to your SF book signing tonight , but we live in Sacramento & aren’t sure if we will make it in time after work.. How long does the signing usually last for?

    Thanks!

    • jenna
      October 19, 2012 at 8:12 am

      oh no! The event is from 7-8 tonight… I hope you guys can make it but I totally understand if you can’t! It would be great to meet you!

  • joelle (on a pink typewriter)
    October 19, 2012 at 8:37 am

    They look yummy!!!!! May need to pick up some soba noodles for the weekend..

  • elizabeth @ chronic venture
    October 19, 2012 at 8:46 am

    yumm this looks so delicious and simple!

  • Kitchen Mommy
    October 19, 2012 at 9:04 am

    Delish! Something a little different for us this fall…

  • Averie @ Averie Cooks
    October 19, 2012 at 9:25 am

    Perfect looking noodle plate and love using noodles to make fast and easy meals. They are so versatile!

  • Liz @ Tip Top Shape
    October 19, 2012 at 10:06 am

    This looks delicious!! I know what I’m having for dinner 😀

  • Gia
    October 19, 2012 at 10:11 am

    Love! What about sesame oil though? It is heaven in an oil. Hah. Would add a dash.

    • krys
      October 19, 2012 at 10:32 am

      Gia, Tahini is sesame 😉

  • Angela @ Happy Fit Mama
    October 19, 2012 at 10:12 am

    I love soba noodles! Just had something similar for dinner the other night with a sauce made from PB. Yum!

  • Amanda @ Once Upon a Recipe
    October 19, 2012 at 11:07 am

    These look awesome – and SO easy. Love it.

  • Alisha @ Alisha's Appetite
    October 19, 2012 at 11:10 am

    Ummmm this looks amazing! I need to make that sauce ASAP and put it over everything.

  • Caroline L.
    October 19, 2012 at 11:37 am

    Something VERY similar is on my top 5 last meals, except that’s served in a broth and the noodles are more gelatinous… I’m making it sound super weird, but it’s tasty!

  • Jen Papaya
    October 19, 2012 at 12:33 pm

    My mom made a variation of these noodles in HUGE batches every year for our pasta party potluck dinners on the night before our swimming championship meets. They always stood out against the buffet of italian pasta dishes. Until this day, whenever I run into an old teammate from my childhood, they always mention my mom’s chinese noodles!

  • Cfayla Johnson
    October 19, 2012 at 1:06 pm

    This looks delicious!

    I am all about eating raw food, and would probably not eat this myself, but I have several friends who consult me for healthy recipes. This is definitely going to be one of them!

    Thank you for sharing, Jenna!

  • Kristen @ notsodomesticated
    October 19, 2012 at 1:31 pm

    Oh wow, this recipe makes me so happy. Love!

  • Andrea @ The Skinny Chronicles
    October 19, 2012 at 2:30 pm

    Oh, I am so making these this weekend. Just as soon as I finish baking those salted caramel chocolate cookie bar things.

  • Lia
    October 19, 2012 at 5:45 pm

    Yummmm! I need more Soba Noodles in my life and I like sesame anything. This is the perfect “bring to work” meal too, especially since it is best cold. Thanks!

  • Stephie @ Eat Your Heart Out
    October 19, 2012 at 6:09 pm

    I’ve never had soba noodles, but you’ve inspired me to give this a try!

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin
    October 19, 2012 at 7:05 pm

    I love sesame soba noodles! I’ve never thought to use tahini in the sauce though. But seeing as how tahini is good in pretty much everything, I know this will be good!

  • Kristin
    October 19, 2012 at 7:10 pm

    You. are. so. awesome. I love sesame soba noodles! Hooray!

  • Stephanie@nowirun.com
    October 19, 2012 at 9:56 pm

    That looks fabulous! I think it might be something my kids and husband would like, too. I like that you mentioned it could be a side dish b/c then, if they don’t like it (and I do), there is more for me and other things for them to eat!!!

    Hope all is well on the book tour!

  • amy walters, aDESIGNdock
    October 20, 2012 at 7:03 am

    Look how pretty this looks?!…the colour is amazing.

  • Rachel F
    October 20, 2012 at 7:27 am

    Omg what an amazing giveaway! I always buy fair trade but it’s so expensive for me. To win would be amazing

    • HilJo
      October 20, 2012 at 1:36 pm

      Hi!! Just to let you know, and maybe you already noticed, but this is not the giveaway post–that is the next one 🙂 So you should comment over there if you want to win!! (Of course I also want to win, as do several hundred people…but may the odds be in our favor!)

  • Kari@Loaves and Dishes
    October 20, 2012 at 1:21 pm

    I could eat soba noodles once a week, and am always looking for a new sauce. This one reminds me of a peanut dressing but with by beloved tahini.

  • Sharon
    October 20, 2012 at 1:38 pm

    Oh this looks so good! I’ve been making the version I found on Tasty Kitchen for a while now: http://tastykitchen.com/blog/2011/01/step-by-step-recipe-last-minute-sesame-noodles/

    I really love all the fresh veggies in this version-so colorful and tasty!

    …but I really want to try your version with the Tahini dressing too!

  • Joey
    October 21, 2012 at 10:52 am

    Yum! I just made the sauce, looking forward to having this for dinner tonight.

  • Jess
    October 21, 2012 at 7:30 pm

    OO, Jenna – you made my day! I’ve got all these ingredients at home, and some random CSA veggies, to boot. I know what we’re having for dinner tonight! Awesome, easy recipe!

  • Jen
    October 23, 2012 at 7:50 pm

    I just made this tonight for my husband and I. Added a red pepper, edamame and cilantro and it was so good! I could eat that sauce on anything.

  • Laura
    October 24, 2012 at 9:15 pm

    My husband loves this style of Asian noodles so I am pinning these to try for him.

  • Kathryn
    October 26, 2012 at 1:19 pm

    Looks divine but seems like a LOT of oil? Any suggestions on paring it down or perhaps using other oils? I’m gonna try it- but I only use canola for baking so it seems weird to me.

  • Amy @C'est Cali Vie
    October 28, 2012 at 11:45 am

    I made this and it is my new favorite dish!!! So yummy!! Thanks, Jenna!

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  • erin
    November 1, 2012 at 10:39 am

    girl, you had me at sesame (and your buffalo wing addiction). i just started reading, and after getting through a few posts, the word kindred spirit comes to mind.

  • Anna
    November 3, 2012 at 5:46 pm

    I have the same brand of tahini sauce but mine is rock hard, it’s impossible to use, won’t even melt on the stove. How did you deal with that? How do you store the jar?

  • Ashlee Winship
    November 5, 2012 at 2:43 am

    The reason why I like noodle dishes is because of their easy preparation. There are lots of variety of noodle dishes but this one looks most promising. People have different tastes but I just have a soft heart for foods with sesame seeds. Thanks for this recipe.

  • Jeff
    November 6, 2012 at 11:13 am

    Looks Amazing I could eat that for Dinner tonight.

  • Natalie
    January 23, 2013 at 11:47 am

    Hi! I bought the ingredients to make this tonight 🙂 Do you have nutritional info for the sauce?

  • Karen T.
    January 23, 2013 at 5:40 pm

    This is DELICIOUS! A hit with my husband. I’ll definitely be making this again. Thank you, Jenna!

  • Deanna
    February 3, 2013 at 12:30 pm

    I tried this recipe the other night and it was awesome. Definitely my favorite soba noodle recipe so far. Is there anything I can do to substitute the sugar in this? My boyfriend is a total health nut and won’t eat it otherwise.

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    February 9, 2013 at 10:50 am

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  • luna
    April 30, 2013 at 3:09 pm

    i find the sauce very sweet – i would cut the sugar in half. I also cut the soy in half due to a low sodium diet and i am glad i did as it would have over powered the sauce

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  • SOYOUNG
    May 25, 2014 at 9:29 pm

    It looks like a Buckwheat noodle. In Asia, it is a very health food and thought that avoiding fat! If you have chance to eat buckwheat soba, think sodium but delicious.
    thank you, for your recipe

  • Morgan
    October 19, 2014 at 12:59 am

    Thanks so much for this great recipe! I was googling for recipes using soba noodles, and came across this one. I made it that night (a few weeks ago), and again tonight, and it was a hit both times! I ended up having a lot more of the sauce then I needed the first time around, so I halved the sauce part this time and it worked out well. Super yum! Thanks!

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