Sesame noodles are an easy side dish made in just one pan. Pair with a simple meat for a delicious dinner.
Looking for a flavorful, satisfying dish that’s ready in minutes? This sesame noodles recipe is a go-to for busy weeknights and a delicious way to explore bold, nutty flavors with pantry staples. Whether you’re using soba noodles, ramen noodles, or even brown rice spaghetti for a gluten-free noodle option, this versatile dish works with all kinds of noodles.
Earlier this year, I made a recipe with rice noodles for the first time. I don’t think I had ever eaten them before then, but they are one of my new favorites! Between rice noodles and udon noodles, I’m not sure which one I would choose.
Sesame noodles are a great side dish to anything with the soy sauce, sesame, or teriyaki flavors to it. We made this to pair with Soy Sesame Salmon and it was perfect.
Rice noodles are easy to cook, but you also have to watch your timing on them. Make sure to follow the directions closely to get the right consistency.
Serving Suggestions
- You can serve this noodle bowl warm, at room temperature, or chilled—making it a great side dish or a full meal.
- Add-ins like red bell pepper, snow peas, or green beans boost color, crunch, and nutrition.
- Want more heat? Try a drizzle of chili oil, chili garlic sauce, or even crushed sichuan peppercorn for a spicy kick.
- For those watching sodium or avoiding gluten, you can substitute low sodium soy sauce or gluten-free soy sauce—just be sure to check your labels.
- Don’t forget to garnish with green onions, raw sesame seeds, or a squeeze of lime juice to awaken your taste buds.
- Make a creamy sesame sauce featuring rich peanut butter, toasted sesame oil, and a splash of rice vinegar.
Tips & Variations
- This recipe works well with many types of noodles. Try it with rice noodles, ramen noodles, soba noodles, or even zucchini noodles for a low-carb twist. If you’re looking for a gluten-free option, brown rice spaghetti or any gluten-free noodle will work just as well—just follow the package directions for best texture.
- Adjust the creamy sesame sauce based on your taste. Use low-sodium soy sauce, light soy sauce, or gluten-free soy sauce for dietary needs. Want a touch more sweetness? Add a dash of maple syrup or coconut sugar. For a bolder, stronger flavor, substitute part of the soy sauce with dark soy sauce, black vinegar, or even a spoonful of Chinese sesame paste.
- Customize the heat level with chili oil, chili garlic sauce, red pepper flakes, or even hot chili paste. For those who love spice, a pinch of sichuan peppercorn will add a tongue-tingling twist.
- Turn this into a hearty main dish by topping it with a fried egg, grilled chicken, tofu, or shrimp. Or, bulk it up with colorful veggies like red bell pepper, snow peas, green beans, or bean sprouts. Stir-frying them in a large skillet with a bit of canola oil or another neutral oil over medium heat works great!
- This recipe is perfect for make-ahead meals. The noodles absorb more of that peanut sauce over time, giving you even more flavor the next time you dig in. Store leftovers in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. If the noodles clump, loosen them with a splash of cold water or reserved pasta water.
Sesame Noodles Step by Step
Ingredients
- 12 oz rice noodles
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp garlic, minced, dried
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 3 tbsp sesame oil
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- 4 green onions, sliced
Preparation
Cook the noodles as directed.
Whisk together the soy sauce, sugar, garlic, vinegar, sesame oil, and olive oil.
Pour the sauce over the warm noodles and toss to coat.
Garnish with green onions.
Sesame Noodles Leftovers
Storage: Leftover sesame noodles can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container. They will keep for up to 2-3 days and can be reheated on the stovetop.
Reheating: To reheat sesame noodles, add a splash of cold water, pasta water, or broth to loosen the sauce, then warm gently over low heat or in the microwave. For best results, stir frequently and reheat just until warm to preserve the noodles’ texture and the creamy sesame sauce.
Freezing: Freezing sesame noodles isn’t ideal as the noodles can become mushy, and the creamy sesame sauce may separate when thawed. If you do freeze them, store them in an airtight container and reheat gently with a bit of added liquid to help bring the sauce back together.
Recipe
Originally Published On: November 21, 2022
Last Updated On: April 13, 2025
Sesame Noodles
Ingredients
- 12 oz rice noodles
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp garlic (minced, dried)
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 3 tbsp sesame oil
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- 4 green onions (sliced)
Recommended Equipment
Instructions
- Cook the noodles as directed
- Whisk together the soy sauce, sugar, garlic, vinegar, sesame oil, and olive oil
- Pour the sauce over the warm noodles and toss to coat
- Garnish with green onions
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutrition content will vary based on brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.
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Oh boy, do these look good. I love how simple they are but how flavorful they are, as well.
Gorgeous and reasonably simple to do! Noodles are the best snack to have around the house and can be easily flavored to suit any dish!
Those look simple and delicious! I’ll have to try this out.
Yum! I wasn’t a huge fan of noodles before but as I’ve gotten older I have craved eating noodles more and more. I am not sure if it’s my palate changing or if I really do just love carbs. These sesame noodles look very good and I love that they are simple to make. Those are my favorite type of recipes!
This recipe looks yummy. First time to know about rice noodles haha. And now I know, I’m curious how it would taste.
This looks lovely and easy to make. What do you recommend as a side for someone who is vegetarian?
I love how easy and quick this dish is. It looks delicious too.
I love how easy this recipe is! And it sounds so flavorful. I love sesame noodles but I have never tried to make my own.
Hhhhmmmm…it looks like you have convinced me, about these sesame noodles. I will surely give them a try and see how that goes.