Description
This Sesame Chili Cold Soba Noodle Salad is a vibrant and flavorful dish perfect for warm days or light meals. Featuring nutty Chinese sesame paste blended with spicy chili oil and fragrant spices, it’s layered with crunchy red cabbage slaw, tender soba noodles, and a choice of smoky tofu or fresh edamame for protein. The zesty lime and fresh herbs add a refreshing brightness, while the cold noodles tossed in a tangy dressing create a delightful texture contrast. Easy to prepare and packed with bold flavors, this salad is ideal for a satisfying lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Dressing Ingredients
- 1/4 cup Chinese sesame paste
- 1 tbsp chili crisp oil
- 1/2 tbsp Chinkiang black vinegar or rice vinegar
- 1/2 tbsp tamari
- 1 clove garlic, grated
- 2 tsp agave or maple syrup
- 1/2 tsp five spice
- 1/4 tsp allspice
- 1/2 cup vegetable broth or mushroom broth
Slaw Ingredients
- 3 cups red cabbage, shredded
- 1 red chili pepper, thinly sliced
- 2 scallions or 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced
- Juice and zest of half a lime
- 2 tsp toasted sesame oil
- 1 tsp agave or maple syrup (optional)
- Kosher salt, to taste
Noodle Dressing Ingredients
- Juice of one lime
- 2 tbsp tamari
- 1 tbsp agave or maple syrup
Main Ingredients
- 8 oz soba noodles
- 1 tbsp avocado oil (optional, for cooking tofu)
- 6 oz smoked tofu or 12 oz frozen edamame
Garnish Ingredients
- 8 leaves mint, torn
- 1/4 cup cilantro leaves, roughly chopped
- Lime wedges for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Sesame Chili Dressing: In a blender cup, combine the Chinese sesame paste, chili crisp oil, Chinkiang black vinegar (or rice vinegar), tamari, grated garlic, agave syrup, five spice, allspice, and vegetable or mushroom broth. Blend until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust the seasoning with extra tamari or vinegar if desired. Set aside for later use.
- Make the Cabbage Slaw: In a large bowl, place the shredded red cabbage, thinly sliced red chili pepper, and scallions or red onion. Add the lime zest and juice from half a lime, toasted sesame oil, optional agave syrup, and a generous pinch of kosher salt. Use clean hands to gently massage and toss the mixture until the cabbage softens and the flavors meld. Set aside to marinate while you prepare the noodles.
- Cook and Dress the Soba Noodles: Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Cook the soba noodles according to the package instructions, usually about 5 to 6 minutes. Meanwhile, in a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the juice of one lime, 2 tablespoons tamari, and 1 tablespoon agave syrup. Once the noodles are cooked, drain and thoroughly rinse them under cold water until they are completely cool. Transfer the cooled noodles to the bowl with the dressing and toss to coat evenly. Add a few ice cubes to keep the noodles chilled and set aside.
- Prepare the Protein: For smoked tofu, heat a pan over medium-low heat and add 1 tablespoon avocado oil if using. Crumble the tofu and spread it evenly in the pan. Cook undisturbed for 3 minutes, then stir occasionally until golden and slightly crisp. For edamame, cook them according to the package instructions (usually boiling or steaming). Remove protein from heat and set aside.
- Assemble the Salad: Drizzle a few spoonfuls of the prepared sesame chili dressing into the bottom of each serving bowl. Place a serving of dressed soba noodles on top, then sprinkle with the golden tofu or cooked edamame. Add a generous scoop of the marinated cabbage slaw over the top. Finish by drizzling more sesame sauce over the salad and garnishing with torn mint leaves and chopped cilantro. Serve with fresh lime wedges on the side and enjoy immediately.
Notes
- Chinkiang black vinegar lends authentic flavor, but rice vinegar works well as a substitute.
- Adjust the amount of chili crisp oil based on your preferred spice level.
- For vegan option, ensure the tamari used is gluten-free if required.
- The salad is best served immediately but can be kept chilled for a few hours if prepared in advance.
- Using ice cubes with the noodles helps keep them cold and refreshes the texture.
- Smoked tofu can be swapped for extra edamame or other plant proteins if desired.
- Massage the cabbage thoroughly to soften and release its natural sweetness and crunch reduction.
