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Noodle salad

Soba So Good: Sesame-Ginger Noodle Salad

Sesame-ginger soba noodles with edamame, cucumber ribbons, carrot, green onions and toasted sesame seeds in a wide ceramic bowl

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

  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the soba noodles and cook according to the package directions until just tender.
  2. 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.
  3. Whisk the soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, maple syrup, ginger, garlic and optional chili crisp in a large bowl.
  4. Add the drained noodles and edamame to the dressing. Toss gently until evenly coated.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.