Asian Cold Noodle Salad Recipe

Asian Noodle Salad is a nutrient-rich lunch or side dish that stays fresh up to 5 days, making it ideal for meal prep.

Asian Pasta Salad Recipe

Since this Asian Noodle Salad recipe was first published several years ago, it has had more than a half million viewers from around the world!

So, it seems like many people are looking for a cold noodle salad that is packed with veggies. Many people have told me they use this for work lunches, by either doing meal prep in a big bowl and then dividing it, or building the salad in jars for easy transport.

Read on to discover why this recipe is not only a colorful feast for the eyes, but for the taste buds, as well

Asian Pasta Salad Recipe Ingredients

• soba noodles – these serve as the base of the salad, but I discuss alternative noodle options below.
• edamame – add a pop of vibrant green color, and protein.
• peanut butter – the emulsifier and nutty flavoring agent for the dressing.
• sambel oelek or sriracha – you’ll need one of these Asian hot sauces to add a spicy kick to the dressing.
• soy sauce – seasons the dressing and add umami.
• rice vinegar – adds a tangy note to the dressing and balances the richness of the peanut butter.
• olive oil – bulks up the dressing and makes it nice and smooth.
• black sesame seeds – adds a visually striking element and crunchy texture, but you can use white sesame seeds instead.
• green onions – gives the salad a a mild onion flavor and pop of green color.
• red bell pepper – adds sweetness and vibrant color. Any color of bell pepper works here!
• carrots – add a crunch and orange color.
• crunchy rice noodles – offer an extra layer of crunch!

How to Make Asian Noodle Salad

1. PREP. Prepare noodles and edamame according to their package directions. Rinse both under cold water and drain well.
2. DRESSING. Whisk together the peanut butter, sambal oelek, soy sauce, vinegar, olive oil and sesame seeds.
3. TOSS. Add the onions, bell pepper, carrots, noodles and edamame to the bowl with the dressing and toss everything together.
4. SERVE. Serve immediately or refrigerate up to 5 days. Just before serving, sprinkle the salad with the crunchy rice noodles.

How to Serve Cold Asian Noodle Salad

Serve Asian Pasta Salad in a Bowl

Toss this cold noodle salad together and serve it up right away in a big, beautiful serving bowl, or pack it into a tupperware container for your picnic tomorrow.

Asian Noodle Salad Recipe Meal Prep Option

Or, you can build the noodle salad in layers, in mason jars, to “meal prep” for your lunches throughout the week.

The dressing goes in the bottom of this Asian pasta salad jar.

Then, the noodles go in. That means the noodles basically marinate in the dressing as the jars sit in your fridge, making them super flavorful when you finally un-cap that jar and dump it into a bowl.

The veggies sit on top of the noodles, staying crisp since they’re not covered in dressing.

To keep the rice noodle garnish crispy, simply put the rice noodles in a small ziploc bag, and either squeeze that bag into the jar above the veggies, or pack it separately.

What kind of noodles do I use for this Asian pasta salad?

My absolute favorite kind of noodles to use for this Asian noodle salad recipe is Ka-me brand Soba Stir-Fry Noodles. I love their flavor and texture. They have a bit of a chew to them and don’t get too mushy, even after being tossed with dressing for a few days.

The noodles I use for this Asian noodle salad recipe are shown in their packaging in a photo in this post, which I hope will make it easier for you to find them in the Asian section of your grocery store.

The Ka-me noodles are packaged and sold fully cooked, and need just a few minutes in the microwave to loosen them up before tossing with the rest of the salad ingredients.

If your store doesn’t carry these noodles, you can use dried soba noodles or whole wheat spaghetti for this cold noodle salad. I recommend 8 ounces of dried noodles, prepared according to package instructions.

Why use peanut butter for this Asian noodle sauce? Can I substitute something else?

I frequently use peanut butter as an emulsifier in salad dressings. The flavor works especially well in Asian-style salads. The peanut butter allows the oil and vinegar in this Asian noodle sauce to come together into one harmonious substance.

Tahini (sesame seed paste) is another good option in place of the peanut butter for these Asian noodles.

What is sambal oelek? Can I use sriracha instead?

Sambal oelek is an Asian chile paste made with raw red chiles, vinegar and salt.

It’s found in the Asian food aisle of most grocery stores, right near the sriracha. If you can’t find sambal oelek, you can use the same amount of sriracha to make the dressing in this Asian noodle salad recipe.

Don’t be nervous about buying a jar of sambal oelek for these Asian noodles – it’s a super versatile ingredient!

Asian Noodle Salad Storage

How long does this Asian Cold Noodle Salad last?

This Asian noodle salad recipe stays fresh up to five days in the fridge. I highly recommend sprinkling the rice noodles on JUST before you eat.

Cold Asian Noodle Salad Recipe FAQs