Bursting with bright colors, this spicy Asian noodle salad tossed with a homemade sesame dressing gets a gold-star for being an easy weekday meal. Tossed with fresh veggies for crunch, it’s satisfying and delicious.
If you’re looking for more easy salad recipes, be sure to try these Asian chicken mason jar salads, this Asian chicken salad with sesame ginger dressing, and this Asian cucumber salad recipe!
Why You’ll Love This Asian Noodle Salad
When the heat’s too much to handle, this easy Chinese noodle salad is the perfect 25-minute chilled meal. Coated in a light sesame dressing, you’ll love the crunch from all the peppers, carrots, and cucumbers against the tender rice noodles.
Here are some more reasons to love this salad:
- Flavor-packed. With tamari for umami, Sriracha for heat, and cilantro for some fresh herbiness, the whisked dressing is the secret to this recipe’s flavor. Plus, lots of fresh ginger and garlic can’t hurt either. For a meal where you only have to boil the noodles and toss everything else in raw, you’ll be surprised that it’s bursting with Asian flare.
- Gluten-free. Made with rice noodles, you don’t have to worry about serving this to anyone with gluten allergies. It’s also less inflammatory.
- Vegetarian/vegan. Everything about this recipe is plant-based! After you taste it, you’ll wish all plant-based recipes were this good.
- Great for work lunches. Pack your salad in serving-size portions so that you have a bunch of grab-and-go lunches for the week.
What You’ll Need
This recipe calls for your favorite Asian ingredients like tamari and Sriracha. Check the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact amounts.
For the Noodles
- Rice noodles – You could also substitute with soba noodles or another pasta if you like.
- Red and yellow peppers – Any color of bell pepper works in this recipe.
- Cucumbers – I prefer to use Persian cucumbers.
- Napa cabbage – Be sure to thinly chop/shave your cabbage before you begin.
- Green onions – Sliced red onions will also work here.
- Carrots – Grated carrots add another pop of color and great texture to this salad!
For the Sesame Dressing
- Toasted sesame oil – This adds a unique, sort of nutty flavor to the dressing that you’ll love.
- Avocado oil – Peanut oil is a great swap.
- Lime juice – Feel free to use lemon juice.
- Tamari sauce – You can use regular or low-sodium soy sauce as well.
- Rice wine vinegar – Cooking sake is also okay.
- Fresh cilantro – For a hint of citrusy flavor.
- Fresh ginger – I do not recommend substituting with dried ginger for this recipe.
- Garlic cloves – Freshly minced garlic is the way to go!
- Sriracha sauce – To give the dressing a bit of kick – you can omit this if you’re not a fan of spice.
- Honey – Please use raw honey or agave syrup. No maple syrup.
How to Make Asian Noodle Salad
No one can complain about making a 3-step salad. Check the recipe card at the bottom of the post for more detailed instructions.
- Whisk the dressing. Mix the sesame oil, avocado oil, lime juice, tamari, rice wine vinegar, cilantro, ginger, garlic, Sriracha, and honey in a small bowl until well combined. Set it aside.
- Cook the noodles. Add the rice noodles to a pot of boiling water and cook them according to the package instructions. Drain the noodles and rinse them with cold water immediately to stop the cooking process. Don’t overcook them.
- Toss the salad. Place the noodles, red pepper, yellow pepper, cucumbers, cabbage, carrots, and green onions in a large bowl. Add the sesame dressing and toss to combine everything. Then, serve and enjoy!
Tips for Success
These are gold-star tips that you can apply to all of your noodle salad recipes. You’re welcome!
- Use ground spices. Use ground garlic and ginger if that’s all you’ve got on hand.
- Add protein. Grilled tofu and tempeh are amazing plant-based protein options. If you want to add some animal protein, go for grilled chicken, shrimp, or beef.
- Prep-ahead. Make the dressing and boil the noodles in advance so you just have to throw everything together for an even quicker dinner.
- Meal-prep. If you love mason jars or just meal-prepping for the week in general, fill your containers with serving-size portions of this noodle salad. All you have to do is remove it from the fridge later and reheat it (or not.)
- Use leftover veggies. Leftover steamed broccoli and mushrooms are great options for this dish. You can even use frozen veggies, just thaw and drain them well first.
Serving Suggestions
This Asian noodle salad recipe is the perfect main dish. If you want to keep things plant-based, top it with grilled tofu. Otherwise, I just add any leftovers from my Asian grilled flank steak or crockpot Asian meatballs on top.
Or, you could serve these noodles alongside my air fryer shrimp or honey sriracha chicken thighs. When I’m in the mood for a bowl-style dinner, I’ll also add in some of my Asian brussel sprouts.
Should Rice Noodle Salad Be Served Warm or Cold?
One of the best things about this Asian noodle salad is that you can serve it warm or cold. I love it straight out of the fridge when it’s summer, or on days when the thought of reheating food is too overwhelming.
How to Store Leftovers
Wondering what to do with leftovers? Here’s how to save them for later:
- To store. Once fully cooled, refrigerate any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Keep it away from heat and sunlight when on the counter for reheating or serving.
- To reheat. Pop it into the microwave for up to a minute or until warm. You can also heat it in a pan over medium heat for 7-8 minutes. Unfortunately, this recipe doesn’t freeze well.
More Asian-Inspired Recipes
If you loved this Asian noodle salad, be sure to check out these other Asian-inspired recipes!
- Asian Baked Chicken Wings with Raspberry Hoisin Glaze
- Teriyaki Salmon with Asian Noodle Salad
- Easy Banh Mi Lettuce Wraps
Asian Noodle Salad
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 1x
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Stove
- Cuisine: Asian
Description
Bursting with bright colors, this spicy Asian noodle salad is tossed with fresh crunchy veggies and a spicy sesame dressing for a flavor party in your mouth. It only takes 25 minutes to make!
Ingredients
- 1 pound rice noodles
- 1 red pepper, julienned
- 1 yellow pepper, julienned
- 1 1/2 cups julienned cucumbers
- 2–3 cups shaved napa cabbage
- 1/3 cup diced green onions
- 1 cup grated carrots
- optional: chopped peanuts, sesame seeds, cilantro for garnish
Spicy Sesame Vinaigrette:
- 6 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 3 tablespoons tamari sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
- 2/3 cup fresh cilantro
- 2 tablespoons fresh ginger
- 2 garlic clove
- 2 teaspoons sriracha sauce
- 2 teaspoons honey
Instructions
- In a small bowl, add toasted sesame oil, avocado oil, lime juice, tamari sauce, rice wine vinegar, cilantro, fresh ginger, garlic cloves, sriracha sauce, and honey. Whisk the mixture until everything is combined. Set aside.
- Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add rice noodles and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain noodles and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. (be careful not to overcook or they will end up really starchy)
- Place the noodles in a large bowl, and add red pepper, yellow pepper, cucumbers, napa cabbage, carrots, green onions, and spicy sesame dressing. Toss to combine everything.
Notes
- To store. Once fully cooled, refrigerate any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Keep it away from heat and sunlight when on the counter for reheating or serving.
- To reheat. Pop it into the microwave for up to a minute or until warm. You can also heat it in a pan over medium heat for 7-8 minutes. Unfortunately, this recipe doesn’t freeze well.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 842 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
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19 comments on “Asian Noodle Salad”
I was looking for an Asian noodle salad recipe and came upon this post. I used the recipe, but I’m more enthralled with your post about our perception of God. It is not often that I run across something like this when I’m browsing internet, and it was a pleasant surprise to see another soul who loves her Abba and is openly seeking to know Him better. Your comments are an inspiration to me and, I’m sure, to many others who will read it. May the Lord continue to lead you onto more and more exciting paths in His presence! As your sis in Him, I love you and appreciate your boldness to speak out.
A believer in North Carolina
As a Buddhist, I don’t see God the same way most people do, but I do respect others’ religious beliefs. Anyhow, I love that this dish is packed with so many vegetables! Love them all!
So glad to hear that. I think we need more of that in the world, agreeing to disagree but coexisting in LOVE! 🙂
That song has a great message! So needed in today’s crazy world.
As for this salad and that dressing – well, it’s exactly the thing I could happily make and eat over and over again.
Definitely Dara! I think we need all the hope we can get right now!
And I’m so with ya on the salad front… this could be my lunch every day this week!
This salad sounds delicious! I am definitely tucking this recipe in my pin board for later!
Awesome! You’ll love it Sharon!
Wow. Deep thoughts and even deeper questions.
I’ll stick to commenting about your Asian noodle salad. I love it, and all the flavors you’ve packed into it!
haha… sorry to go all deep on ya. I’ve just been struggling and this is my way of getting it out. 🙂
Then I ease it up with a tasty recipe hehe … seems to work! 🙂
Beautiful thoughts and a beautiful dish, as always. It’s so easy to get swept up in the “bad” that happening right now. I’ve shed many tears worrying for my sons future, for my friends who put themselves in danger every day. There is still so much beauty in this world. Thanks for the beautiful song lyrics, it helped me as well.
Agreed! Beauty overcomes all. Sometimes I think walking in the opposite spirit helps overcome those fears, I’ve definitely been realizing that over the past couple of days. Glad the lyrics encouraged you too Michelle! 🙂
This noodle salad looks so perfect and light for summer!
Regarding the G*d question… that’s a heavy thing ask. For me, it’s more of a feeling of purposefulness and a lifetime full of lessons.
Thanks so much Laura, it’s definitely perfect for the summer!
You are right, definitely a deep question and it’s been on my mind the past couple of weeks so I wanted to share it. 🙂 I agree I think that if we live lives filled with purpose our hearts will be full, when we have no purpose, goal or thing to hope for we are lost.
What a light & fresh dinner idea! 🙂 And I LOVE that dressing!
Thanks Carrie! 🙂 The dressing definitely is the bomb!
I need more Asian dishes with a lot of flavor! This looks amazing!
Pretty sure we all do… asian dishes just make life better! (so do tex-mex dishes) hehe
Thank You for sharing your recipes. Also thank you for sharing your thoughts that a lot of us are having these days. Enjoyed the words of the song that I have never heard. So glad to know that as you are sharing that you also know that when we get got up in the worries and cares of the world we are not keeping our focus on the one true Loving and caring GOD that we have and its hard to remember that He is in control. Jesus is the best thing in our lives, he is true, he is faithful, He keeps interceding for us to our heavenly Father. God bless you and your family. Keep up your good work. You sound like a beautiful young lady.
Thank you so much LaVonne! You totally encouraged my heart today! Reading this post just made my day. So honored to know people like you read my blog. 🙂 Muah!