Sesame Noodles

at a glance
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings 4 servings
5 — Votes 8 votes

Every item on this page was chosen by The Fed & Fit team. The site may earn a commission on some products (read more here).

These sesame peanut noodles are made with tons of fresh, crunchy veggies, covered in a ridiculously tasty sesame peanut sauce, and make for a delicious, quick lunch or dinner!

top view of sesame noodles with raw strips of cucumber, red bell peppers, and snap peas in a stone bowl with gold chopsticks resting on the rim all on a marble surface

Y’ALL. Every single time Amber or Cassy (the masterminds behind all of the delicious Fed+Fit recipes we all know and love) create an Asian-inspired dish, I am literally GIDDY with excitement to get into the kitchen and try it out. These two have a real gift when it comes to recipe creation, and the variety in kinds of recipes they create really speaks to that! The Asian-inspired recipes on the site are some of my very favorites (I mean, who doesn’t want a healthier, but even more delicious, take on Mongolian beef?), and this sesame noodle recipe is no exception! Fresh, crunchy veggies combine with a slightly sweet, sesame sauce and ramen noodles to create a dreamy dish that I could eat for every single meal!

Sesame noodles are a Sichuan dish first created in the 70s by Shorty Tang at his restaurant Hwa Yuan in New York City. The noodles were dressed in a sauce made of sesame paste, peanut butter, rice vinegar, a bit of sugar, additional spices such as ginger, garlic, and chile-garlic sauce, and cucumbers, then served cold. They quickly gained popularity in New York and eventually became a staple on takeout menus across the US. You can learn more about the origin of sesame noodles in this article by New York Times writer Sam Sifton.

In this recipe, we’ve adapted the traditional sesame noodles to create a main dish filled with vibrant, crunchy veggies and protein, and opted for ingredients that can easily be found at your local grocery store.

Sesame Noodle Ingredients

While the noodle ingredients are mostly comprised of veggies and noodles (obviously!), the sauce ingredients may feel a little bit intimidating to you if you haven’t made many Asian-inspired dishes. Don’t worry, though – they are all super accessible (your local grocery store is bound to have them) and really bring these noodles to life!

For the Sauce:

  • Sesame Oil – 3 tablespoons of sesame oil really make this sauce – sesame oil is powerful (but oh so delicious), but these are called sesame noodles for a reason!
  • Lime Juice – 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lime juice adds the perfect acidity to the sauce. We always think that fresh is best when it comes to citrus, so instead of buying a bottle of juice, grab 1 lime and juice it yourself!
  • Soy Sauce OR Coconut Aminos – you’ll also need a ¼ cup of soy sauce or coconut aminos here. We love this brand of coconut aminos!
  • Rice Vinegar – 2 teaspoons of rice wine vinegar,…
  • Honey – …1 tablespoon of honey,…
  • Fresh Ginger – …a freshly grated 1-inch piece of ginger (don’t be intimidated by this – just peel an inch-long piece of fresh ginger, then grate it with a zester!),
  • Creamy Peanut Butter – …2 tablespoons of smooth natural peanut butter (no added sugars!), and…
  • Crushed Red Pepper Flakes (Optional) – …¼ teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes finish out the sauce!

For the Noodles:

  • Ramen Noodles – noodles make up the bulk of today’s dish – you’ll need about 10 ounces of ramen noodles, we love these for gluten-free, but if you can’t find them, spaghetti noodles, rice noodles, or even soba noodles work here, too!
  • Avocado or Olive Oil – You’ll need 1 tablespoon of either avocado or olive oil to toss the noodles in! This will really keep the noodles from clumping together.
  • Cucumber – now for the fun part – all of the fresh veggies! You’ll need to julienne ½ of a cucumber,…
  • Red Bell Pepper – …julienne 1 red bell pepper,…
  • Snap Peas – …thinly slice 1 cup of snap peas,…
  • Green Onions – …thinly slice 3 green onions,…
  • Fresh Cilantro – …and chop ¼ cup of fresh cilantro!
  • Protein of Choice – we went with 2 cups of shredded rotisserie chicken here, but this would also be great with pork, shrimp, or even edamame for a vegetarian option.
  • Sesame Seeds – you’ll finish everything off with a teaspoon of sesame seeds!
side view of two bowls of sesame noodles with raw strips of cucumber, red bell peppers, and snap peas in a stone bowl with gold chopsticks resting on the rim all on a marble surface

How to Make Peanut Sesame Noodles

This is a super easy recipe! Once all of your veggies are chopped (which is quite therapeutic, I must say), your noodles are cooked, and your sauce is whisked, you’ll essentially just throw it all together and give it a good mix!

  1. Cook the Noodles – start by cooking your noodles in a large pot according to package instructions until they are al dente. Once they’re done, drain the noodles and rinse them with cold water to stop the cooking process, then toss them with the tablespoon of oil.
  2. Make the Sauce – while the pasta cooks, whisk together the sesame oil, lime juice, coconut aminos (or soy sauce), rice wine vinegar, honey, freshly grated ginger, peanut butter, and red pepper flakes. The sauce should be thin enough to easily drizzle.
  3. Combine the Sauce, Noodles, and Veggies – toss the noodles with the sauce, cucumber, bell pepper, snap peas, green onions, and cilantro, then garnish with sesame seeds.
  4. Enjoy! – You can either eat the dish warm immediately or refrigerate and enjoy as cold sesame noodles!

Add-Ins and Variations

  • Add Extra Veggies – the sky is the limit here – if you’ve got veggies needing to be eaten, chop them up and throw ‘em in the mix!
  • Use Cooked Veggies instead of Raw – if you don’t like the crunch of raw veggies, you can also go ahead and saute your veggies for about 5 minutes over medium heat, then combine them with the noodles.
  • Use Kelp Noodles – to make this dish low carb, use kelp noodles instead of ramen noodles! To soften the kelp noodles, boil a pot of water, add the juice of one lemon, then add the kelp noodles to the pot, and remove it from the heat. Let the noodles soak in the hot water for about 10 minutes before straining!
side view of two bowls of sesame noodles with raw strips of cucumber, red bell peppers, and snap peas in a stone bowl with gold chopsticks resting on the rim all on a marble surface
a large bowl of finished veggie noodle stir fry with tongs in the bowl

Just for You

Asian-Inspired Recipes

Want more recipes like this?

Sesame Noodles Frequently Asked Questions

Q Is sesame pasta the same as tahini?
A

Good question! It’s not. Tahini is ground sesame paste (think: the peanut butter equivalent for sesame seeds), but these sesame noodles are actually made from ramen (rice or regular) and a really yummy peanut sesame sauce!

Q What kind of noodles do you use to make sesame noodles?
A

We used these rice ramen noodles, but feel free to use any ramen noodles that you love!

Q What do you serve with sesame noodles?
A

This sesame noodle dish is loaded with protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats, so it really is a complete meal all on its own. If you’re looking for more veggies, though, feel free to double the veggies in the recipe, steam or saute bok choy with sesame oil and lime juice, or just press the easy button and steam some good ole broccoli to serve alongside the noodles.

Q Can I make Sesame Noodles ahead of time?
A

Absolutely! That’s actually one of the beautiful things about this dish – it can be eaten hot or cold, and it saves really well. Because of this, Sesame Noodles are actually an ideal meal prep lunch option. Make a big batch on Sunday, shred a store-bought rotisserie chicken, and portion the two together in individual containers for easy grab-and-go lunches!

Shop Supplies

Coconut Secret Coconut Aminos (3 Pack) Shop Now
Citrus Juicer Shop Now
OXO Whisk Shop Now

Sesame Noodles Peanut

By: Brandi Schilhab
5 — Votes 8 votes
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Servings: 4 servings
This easy noodle dish has the yummiest sesame peanut sauce and a variety of crunchy veggies for a delicious, crave-worthy meal!

Ingredients  

For the Sauce:

  • 3 tablespoons sesame oil
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce or coconut aminos
  • 2 teaspoons rice wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 inch of ginger freshly grated
  • 2 tablespoons creamy natural peanut butter
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional

For the Noodles:

  • 10 ounces ramen noodles or spaghetti noodles – we used these for gluten-free
  • 1 tablespoon avocado or olive oil
  • 1/2 cucumber julienned (about 1 cup)
  • 1 red bell pepper julienned
  • 1 cup snap peas thinly sliced
  • 3 green onions thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup fresh chopped cilantro
  • 2 cups shredded chicken*
  • 1 teaspoon sesame seeds for garnish

Instructions

  • Bring a pot of water to boil and cook the noodles according to package instructions. Once they are done, drain the noodles, then rinse them with cold water to stop the cooking process, and toss with the tablespoon of oil.
  • Whisk together all ingredients for the sauce. It should be thin enough to easily drizzle.
  • Toss the noodles with the sauce, cucumber, bell pepper, snap peas, green onions, and cilantro, then garnish with sesame seeds. You can either eat the dish warm immediately or refrigerate and eat cold!

Nutrition Information

Nutrition Facts
Sesame Noodles Peanut
Amount per Serving
Calories
653
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
32
g
49
%
Saturated Fat
 
9
g
56
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
8
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
14
g
Cholesterol
 
60
mg
20
%
Sodium
 
2347
mg
102
%
Potassium
 
598
mg
17
%
Carbohydrates
 
58
g
19
%
Fiber
 
4
g
17
%
Sugar
 
10
g
11
%
Protein
 
34
g
68
%
Vitamin A
 
1446
IU
29
%
Vitamin C
 
59
mg
72
%
Calcium
 
70
mg
7
%
Iron
 
5
mg
28
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Recipe Notes

  • For protein, you can use about 1 pound of chicken, pork, or shrimp here. For a vegetarian option, use edamame.
  • For nightshade-free – omit the bell peppers and use more cucumber and snap peas in their place.
  • For low FODMAP – omit the snap peas and use an additional bell pepper in their place.
Meet the Author
Brandi Headshot

Brandi Schilhab

Brandi leads our efforts on content audits, outline construction, website calendar management, and a great deal of writing. She could unashamedly watch reruns of Friends + Harry Potter movies and never get bored!⁠ ⁠ ⁠
Get to know Brandi

Show us!

Did You Make This Recipe?

Share a photo and tag us! We can’t wait to see what you make!

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




  1. Jessica says

    Jessica —  08/25/2020 At 20:58

    5 stars
    My family always loves the asian style meals you’ve created and this one is no exception! It was light, yet very filling. I subbed apple cider vinegar because I realized we didn’t have red wine vinegar and it turned out just fine 🙂

    • Brandi Schilhab says

      Brandi Schilhab —  08/31/2020 At 08:05

      So good to know, Jessica! These noodles are one of my absolute favorites!

  2. Michelle Kopshever says

    Michelle Kopshever —  08/26/2020 At 01:01

    Do you cook the veggies?

    • Brandi Schilhab says

      Brandi Schilhab —  08/31/2020 At 08:06

      We like them raw because they add a nice crunch to the dish. If you prefer cooked veggies over raw, though, feel free to saute the veggies for a couple of minutes while the noodles cook!

  3. Christie says

    Christie —  08/26/2020 At 18:00

    5 stars
    Delicious! And perfect for dinner on a hot day, only have to use the stove to boil the water for the ramen.

    • Brandi Schilhab says

      Brandi Schilhab —  08/31/2020 At 08:07

      Totally agree, Christie! These noodles are the best!

  4. Lena says

    Lena —  08/27/2020 At 14:24

    5 stars
    Thank you for the easy tasty recipe. I have been looking for a good Sesame noodle recipe and finally found it. Thank you!

    • Brandi Schilhab says

      Brandi Schilhab —  08/31/2020 At 08:09

      Wahoo! So glad you enjoyed this, Lena! Thanks for sharing with us!

  5. Susan says

    Susan —  08/29/2020 At 07:11

    5 stars
    Loved this dish – the sauce is delicious! My husband couldn’t get enough. We subbed kelp noodles (low carb, no cooking required, neutral taste) and they worked great. I ate the leftovers for lunch, added some some avocado to stretch what I had left, and I think it may have been even better on the second day. This one is definitely a keeper for a hot day or any time you want a simple, refreshing meal.

    • Brandi Schilhab says

      Brandi Schilhab —  08/31/2020 At 08:12

      Great to know, Susan! So glad you enjoyed it!

  6. Jessica Green says

    Jessica Green —  08/29/2020 At 16:20

    5 stars
    Holy holy moly. This is soooooo good! The flavors are perfect. I used the recommended gluten free noodles and they are perfect! This will definitely be a repeat!

    • Brandi Schilhab says

      Brandi Schilhab —  08/31/2020 At 08:14

      YES!! So glad you love this one, Jessica…I do too!!!

  7. Kelly Ruchti says

    Kelly Ruchti —  09/03/2020 At 06:24

    5 stars
    Holy moly we loved these! I want that sauce on everything! I couldn’t find fresh snap peas, so I used some extra bell peppers and carrot ribbons and it was perfect. Can’t wait to make it again soon!

    • Brandi Schilhab says

      Brandi Schilhab —  09/03/2020 At 08:31

      So glad you guys loved it, Kelly! I agree – that sauce is DELICIOUS!

  8. Jenna says

    Jenna —  09/12/2020 At 23:02

    Just made this tonight. Ummmm YUMMM!! We used edamame instead of snap peas (didn’t have them) and no chix. It made a good substitution. The sauce is so tasty I feel like you could use it for a marinade for other dishes. Another FedandFit recipe WIN (I swear everything I make by them is delicious)

    • Jenna says

      Jenna —  09/12/2020 At 23:03

      5 stars
      I meant to give it 5 stars, whoopsie 🙂

    • Brandi Schilhab says

      Brandi Schilhab —  09/14/2020 At 09:12

      LOL! Thank you, Jenna!!!

    • Brandi Schilhab says

      Brandi Schilhab —  09/14/2020 At 09:12

      So glad you love this one, Jenna!! I agree – that sauce is SO DELICIOUS!

  9. Emily Paulan says

    Emily Paulan —  09/28/2020 At 15:02

    5 stars
    This recipe is now in our weekly rotation! It is so yummy and easy to throw together with minimal cooking time. I subbed almond butter for PB and coconut vinegar for the the rice wine vinegar.

    • Brandi Schilhab says

      Brandi Schilhab —  09/29/2020 At 11:13

      Yay! So glad you guys love this one, Emily!!