This was supposed to be cookies. I baked them again, Huey ate them again. I don’t want to talk about it. Yes, I am a fool. Moving right along to soba noodles!
I have a major thing for cold noodle salads. Whenever I get something from the prepared food counter at a store like PCC or Whole Foods, I always end up gravitating toward the Asian noodle salads. So when thinking about what to make for my moms group this week, I figured it was about time I make and share my own.
Sesame Soba Noodle Salad
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 4 minutes
Ingredients (6 servings)
-
1 (9.5oz) package soba noodles
-
1 red bell pepper, chopped
-
2 green onions, finely chopped
-
1 loose cup cilantro leaves, minced
-
1 (12oz) package shelled edamame
-
sesame seeds (optional garnish)
For the Dressing
-
3 tablespoons sesame oil
-
1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
-
1 tablespoon tahini
-
2 teaspoons honey
-
salt to taste
Instructions
I love cooking with soba noodles because they are so easy to prepare and keep cold. They cook in just a few minutes, and the thin, chewy texture is unique and different from what you expect from Italian pasta.
But before cooking the noodles, prepare all of the raw ingredients. Chop the bell pepper, thinly slice the green onion (or scallion), and mince the cilantro. Add veggies and herbs to a large mixing bowl.
Prepare edamame according to package directions. If frozen, cook for a few minutes in warm water to bring up to room temperature. Make sure your edamame is shelled (no one likes to eat chewy pods!).
One the veggies are all prepped, go ahead and cook the noodles. Soba noodles only cook for 4-5 minutes, so don’t wander too far.
Once the noodles are cooked, drain in a colander and rinse with cold water immediately. In a separate bowl, whisk together all ingredients for the dressing.
Combine noodles, veggies, and dressing in the mixing bowl and toss until everything is well combined. Sprinkle with sesame seeds to garnish, serve, and enjoy!
This salad is great served immediately, or it can be prepared ahead of time and served cold from the refrigerator. The edamame add a great healthy protein component that helps make this dish a complete meal!
This was so easy and simple to make, and I’m making a point to stock soba noodles along with my other pantry goods from now on. It’s one of those dishes that feels fancy and fussy, but it actually came together in less than 15 minutes from start to finish. Great for quick, healthy dinners or for portioning out for lunches all week.
I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!
76 Comments so far
Leave a comment
I’m such a sucker for cold soba noodles. Do you know if there are wheat-free versions? You should have let Huey write a guest post for this recipe :).
[Reply]
Sarah G. Reply:
May 29th, 2012 at 1:51 pm
I was just about to write an excited comment about this being a gluten-free recipe… I saw on the noodle package that the noodles are made from buckwheat which is a gluten-free grain. Yay for my celiac household!! Thanks again for a great idea, Emily.
[Reply]
Omg, those cookies are never going to make it on the blog! I guess that means they are really good!
[Reply]
Looks yummy!
Your puppy cracks me up. Though I’m sure you’re not laughing. Hope all those cookies don’t make him sick.
[Reply]
hahaha, i can’t believe huey got to them again!
this looks great…might have to try them tomorrow!
[Reply]
Love that they cook so fast! Makes for a great weeknight dinner :)
[Reply]
I’m in love with Huey. Partly because he looks so much like my dog, partly because he’s just as ornery as my dog! I’ve been there wayyyy too many times before, and sometimes you just have to laugh (and drink a glass of wine… which you don’t do… kombucha??) and appreciate how clever they really are!
[Reply]
No, really? That is a dog after my own heart. I love cookies too. :) I have been looking for a good sesame oil dressing for my soba salads! I had finally given up and I made one recently that I loved with almond butter instead (http://emmycooks.com/2012/05/10/buckwheat-soba-salad-with-spicy-almond-sauce/ if you want to try it–it has a few more ingredients but is so, so good, which I can say because it’s not my recipe). :) I’m going to give the sesame version another try with your recipe–tahini, of course! I think that’s what mine was missing. Thank you!
[Reply]
Your dogs are too cute! I have a new puppy, and I’m slowly learning puppies are never wrong! They have a mind of their own!
[Reply]
I’d love to be a dog in your house!
[Reply]
I’ve never had soba noodles before – they look awesome, and if they’re 100% buckwheat, then they are gluten free. Win, win. I think I might have to pick up a package!
[Reply]
I LOVE making hot and cold soba noodle dishes!
[Reply]
Love this recipe! looks so simple yet delicious
[Reply]
Indy does not partake in the cookie stealing?
[Reply]
Emily Malone Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 6:54 pm
Indy is terrible for other reasons, but Huey is the mastermind behind all food stealing. :)
[Reply]
I’ve recently learned about soba noodles and how quick and easy they are. They’re definitely a staple in my pantry. Sorry to hear about your cookie monster.
[Reply]
Looks like it’s time for me to give Soba noodles a try!
[Reply]
Our pup just got to feast on some shortcake! Bad, but not quite as bad as 2 batches of cookies. What a bummer!
[Reply]
Oh Huey has one happy (or maybe unhappy with all those cookies!) belly right now!
[Reply]
This looks awesome! A great recipe to bring for a picnic or cookout!
[Reply]
This looks scrumptious! My dog doesn’t eat my cookies, but she rolls in disgusting things outside and then I have to bathe her. Oh, canines! They are lucky they are so lovable :)
[Reply]
Poor Huey! I bet that’s one he’ll of a stomach ache. Although I seem to recall he’s eaten worse.
[Reply]
Obviously, those cookies are Huey approved ;-)
[Reply]
I am a complete animal lover and have a dog myself, so please don’t hate me for this comment – but if that had been my dog – I would have laid into her so bad the first time – she would have never thought about doing it again!!
[Reply]
Emily Malone Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 6:54 pm
I did! Huey is the most stubborn and independent dog I’ve ever met. It’s amazing.
[Reply]
This looks delicious! I have been looking for dishes to bring to work for lunch this summer. This will be great!
[Reply]
Oh Huey! Apparently he approves of your baking though so that’s a compliment, right?!?!?!
[Reply]
I’m sorry, but Huey makes me laugh. Maybe a second career in catering for dogs?
[Reply]
I just have to ask- where are you leaving these cookies?? Are your dogs tall enough to eat things off the counter? In any case, the soba noodles look great, and I am happy to have a small dog that can’t get to any of my food. :P
[Reply]
Jules Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 10:00 am
My guess is he’s tall enough to reach…my dog is smaller so he can not. For this reason, he teams up with the cat to steal food. The cat can hop up on the counter, and will push the food to the floor, where both of them get to feast on it.
[Reply]
Annie Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 12:32 pm
OMG I lol’d when I read this, you’ve got quite the fur family!
[Reply]
Emily Malone Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 6:51 pm
That is hilarious!
[Reply]
Jules Reply:
May 26th, 2012 at 12:34 am
The best thing about it is, they usually hate each other. But when there is food to be stolen, they put their differences aside.
[Reply]
Emily Malone Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 6:53 pm
This was on the very back of the counter, on top of a cutting board and cooling rack. And YES – they can get things from aaaanywhere. It’s amazing.
[Reply]
Oh my gosh, Huey is in trouuuuuble! Happy weekend!
[Reply]
I had the same question as Amy – where were these batches of cookies left? For some reason I keep picturing them on a coffee table or something. I have two dogs that can reach the counter/table, etc but I have never had them jump up to eat anything off them. Of course there is a very clear distinction in our house of people vs. pets – no pets on furniture, no pets eating scraps from the table, etc. Maybe they just know not even to try. ha ha. Poor Huey must have a terrible stomachache!
The soba noodles do look great though, I even have all the ingredients, so I know what we’re having for lunch today! Thanks!
[Reply]
Emily Malone Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 6:52 pm
They were left on the back of the counter. BUT — when I left them there, I knew Huey would be locked in the bedroom with us overnight. But then when I got up to feed Cullen at 2am, I left the door cracked and Huey (who obviously hadn’t stopped thinking about them) saw the opportunity. I heard the cooling rack crash while I was feeding Cullen!
[Reply]
Jan Reply:
May 27th, 2012 at 2:16 pm
That is HILARIOUS! I imagine Huey obsessing all night about the cookies and then seizing the moment when the door was open.
[Reply]
Oh Huey!!! What is the magic ingredient that is so irresistible?
*Dog Psychiatry warning* Maybe Huey is feeling a bit challenged and upset because Mr. Wonderful (Cullen) is encroaching on what was formerly doggy territory, and crawling all over the place now. So, he’ll show you. I empathize. I turn to cookies when I’m upset too.
[Reply]
Emily Malone Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 6:51 pm
It is very possible he’s acting out. Who knows. He still gets lots of walking and snuggles though, so he has no reason to be upset!
[Reply]
oh my gosh Emily this looks so delicious! Will have to add this to my menu for this week for dinner. Thank you! And I hope we can see those cookies soon….Oh Huey. LOL!
[Reply]
Oh no! Baaaad dog!!
These sound wonderful. Perfect summer dish.
[Reply]
I see in your kicthen pic you have a pantry, I would say put a towel down and put the cookie pans on that so you can close the door and not worry about doggie getting them. They must be some good cookies and you got one sneaky pup on your hands but it’s so hard to stay mad at them!
[Reply]
Emily Malone Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 6:51 pm
Pantry is a good idea!
[Reply]
Can you post just the recipe for the cookies, without you having to make/bake/dog eat again?
I am so intrigued by these cookies due to the Huey factor. ;)
Please consider, thanks and have a great weekend.
[Reply]
Poor Huey…blamed for eating the cookies again. I wonder how he got to them. In any case, I bet they were quite good:)
Allana
[Reply]
I don’t like red peppers, do you have a good replacement for them in your Soba Noodle Salad?
[Reply]
Emily Malone Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 6:51 pm
Maybe cucumbers? Would still provide a good crunch factor!
[Reply]
Oh my gosh, can’t believe Huey ate the cookies again, hahaha!
I hope you do bake them again and share the recipe, as I was really waiting for those cookies after your last post. You made them sound too good after saying that both you and Casey love those cookies!
Ana
[Reply]
This looks so yummy, Emily. Could you add or sub broccoli for the edamame?
[Reply]
Emily Malone Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 6:50 pm
I don’t see why not!
[Reply]
Huey is too much!
I usually pass on salad recipes even though I love salad. THIS recipe, however, I MUST make!
Thanks for sharing, I’m super excited to put this on my meal planner next week!
[Reply]
hahaaa he ate the second batch too!? That’s hilarious…but I feel for you at the same time. ;) I love cold noodle salads…yum! I think this is on the menu this weekend.
[Reply]
Every time I go to the salad bar at Earth Fare I end up with some sort of cold asian noodle dish, too! I bet this is delicious. I’ll add it to the list of dishes I should really make very soon.
[Reply]
Only half kidding when I say if it were my dog, there wouldn’t be a third time since either the dog would be gone or … My dog trainer (I have an Italian greyhound who can reach ANYTHING) recommended this: http://www.petsafe.net/products/pet-proofing/scatmat-strip-46-x-3
She said it’s safe, doesn’t harm the dog, and it’s necessary for the dog to learn from the object (not the human since you can’t aways be there), that it is off limits.
Bless you for all your patience and good humor!
[Reply]
Emily Malone Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 6:50 pm
That is awesome. I am tempted to try it…
[Reply]
I swear I should have been born asain because thats all I have been eating lately! I need to make this asap – soba noodles are so much tastier than regular ol noodles in my opinion.
[Reply]
I’m having a hard time imagining the logistics. Where do you keep putting the cookies that Huey keeps eating them? Can he jump fully up onto your countertops? I’m scratching my head over this one. (but the soba noodles sound good)
[Reply]
Gabrielle Reply:
May 26th, 2012 at 12:44 am
Reading through comments, looks like you had them pushed back as far as you good, but Huey has the amazing stretchy reach, and loves your baking. Maybe you could start baking him some fresh dog treats so he can leave the cookies to you and your guests.
[Reply]
We just saw this recipe on our flight down to Atlanta and have decided to make it tomorrow for a Sunday Funday party we’re having with friends back in NYC! LOVE IT
[Reply]
Just made this dish for a pool party today. Yum! It’s colorful, cold, and can be eaten by all my lactose intolerant friends. Thanks, Emily!
[Reply]
Just made this and it is sooooooooo good. I left out the cilantro, since I’m not a huge fan, and used soy sauce in the dressing for salt.
I also added a pretty large amount of fresh grated ginger to the dressing, which added a nice bright flavor.
Thanks for the amazing recipe!
[Reply]
Emily Malone Reply:
May 27th, 2012 at 9:44 am
Yay – so glad to hear it!
[Reply]
Are you using untoasted or toasted sesame oil?
[Reply]
This salad is ah-mazing! We had it for dinner last night and what leftovers there were my husband took to work. I made the dressing again for my lunch today!
Thanks for the recipe!
[Reply]
[...] I could do to kick off summer. I would start off by heading to the store to get ingredients for this summery salad, a strawberry pie and some chocolate chip cookies (for the husband). I would spend the day [...]
Made this noodle salad for dinner last night and having leftovers for lunch! Thanks for the easy and delish (and gluten-free–yay!) recipe! I will definitely make it again!
[Reply]
Made this last night for dinner and it was absolutely delicious. And it was SO easy. I threw the frozen edamame into the boiling water for the soba noodles and it eliminated an extra pot to clean. I also added a squirt of Sriracha to the dressing. My husband has requested that this be a rotating item on our summer dinner menu. Can’t wait to try different veggie combinations as this is a really versatile base recipe. Thank you!
[Reply]
Emily Malone Reply:
June 4th, 2012 at 1:21 pm
I’m so glad you liked it!
[Reply]
I made this for dinner tonight and it was really great! I omitted the sesame oil (I couldn’t find it at my grocery store,) added more tahini and vinegar, and and subbed in a little EVOO instead. Delicious! Thanks for the great recipe–it was the first of yours that I made and I will be making more!
[Reply]
[...] I thought it would be cool to cook them in a Japanese inspired way, in a recipe kind of like this, with sesame and fresh green things, and thinking about a recipe like that still makes me drool, [...]
[...] here is a recipe (Sesame Soba Noodle Salad) that I REALLY want to try. It’s going on the list for either this weekend or next week. I [...]
[...] sesame soba salad (delicious!) [...]
I made this tonight and it was soooo good! I am already excited to have it for lunch tomorrow. Thanks for the great recipe Emily!
[Reply]
Thanks for this recipe Emily! I made it for my birthday dinner along with some shitake mushrooms and baked ginger tofu. It was definitely a crowd pleaser!
[Reply]
I just made this to “bring to a potluck” and I think I have to make another batch because I basically ate the whole thing on my own! So good!
[Reply]
Leave a comment