Noodle salad
Soba So Good: Sesame-Ginger Noodle Salad

Springy soba noodles, crisp cucumber, sweet carrot and bright edamame get tossed in a lively sesame-ginger dressing for an easy bowl that is equally happy warm or chilled.
Grab this
- 240 g dry soba noodles
- 1 1/2 cups shelled edamame, thawed if frozen
- 1 small English cucumber, thinly sliced into half-moons
- 1 large carrot, peeled into ribbons or cut into matchsticks
- 3 green onions, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce or tamari
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons finely grated fresh ginger
- 1 small garlic clove, finely grated
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
- 1 teaspoon chili crisp or sriracha, optional
Do this
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the soba noodles and cook according to the package directions until just tender.
- Add the edamame during the final 2 minutes of cooking. Drain everything together, rinse thoroughly under cold water and shake off as much water as possible.
- Whisk the soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, maple syrup, ginger, garlic and optional chili crisp in a large bowl.
- Add the drained noodles and edamame to the dressing. Toss gently until evenly coated.
- Fold in the cucumber, carrot and most of the green onions. Taste and add a small splash of rice vinegar if you would like more brightness.
- Divide among four bowls and finish with the sesame seeds and remaining green onions. Serve immediately or chill for up to 30 minutes.
Easy swaps
- Gluten-free: use 100% buckwheat soba or rice noodles and replace soy sauce with certified gluten-free tamari. Many soba brands also contain wheat, so check the package carefully.
- Soy allergy: replace the edamame with cooked green peas and use a soy-free coconut aminos product. Adjust the maple syrup because coconut aminos is naturally sweeter.
- Sesame allergy: replace sesame oil with a neutral oil and use toasted pumpkin seeds instead of sesame seeds. The flavour will be different but still pleasantly nutty.
- For less heat, omit the chili crisp or sriracha. Check prepared chili sauces for soy, sesame or gluten if those are concerns.
Estimated per serving
Nutrition at a glance
- Calories
- 365
- Fat
- 12g
- Saturated fat
- 2g
- Carbohydrates
- 51g
- Fibre
- 6g
- Sugars
- 6g
- Protein
- 15g
- Sodium
- 520mg
Edamame and buckwheat-based soba help this colourful noodle bowl provide a useful combination of plant protein and fibre.
Estimates vary with ingredient brands, substitutions and serving size.
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