Looking for an easy sesame noodles recipe? These creamy sesame peanut butter noodles are savory, nutty, and perfect for quick meal prep, hosting, or an effortless weeknight meal.

You can whip up these Chinese-inspired noodles in under 15 minutes for a quick lunch or dinner on busy weekdays. I like to pair this recipe with my air fryer soy sauce chicken and garlic bok choy for a healthy, well-balanced meal.

Ingredients

You can find all of the ingredients for this sesame noodle recipe at your local Korean grocery market. Full measurements and links to the ingredients I used are listed in the recipe card below.

• Fresh wheat noodles: I used fresh wheat noodles, but you can use any noodles of your choice.
• Chinese Sesame Paste: adds a rich, concentrated toasted sesame flavor. This is not the same as tahini. Tahini is made from raw sesame seeds and is lighter, milder, and less nutty.
• Peanut Butter: pairs with the sesame paste for a richer, nuttier mouthfeel and flavor. Peanut butter is a popular ingredient in Asian cooking, like in my Vietnamese peanut sauce and spicy peanut noodles.
• Light Soy Sauce: adds a salty umami flavor.
• Dark Soy Sauce: adds a sweet soy sauce umami layer.
• Chinese Black Vinegar: adds a hint of tanginess that adds depth and complex flavor.
• Chili Oil: adds fragrant, slightly spiced flavor.
• Sesame oil: for added sesame, nutty finish.
• Sugar: balances out the other savory flavors and adds a hint of sweetness.
• Garlic and Ginger: are the main aromatics in the sesame noodle sauce.

Substitutions and Additions

Substitutions

• Noodles: ramen, udon, spaghetti, lo mein, or your favorite noodles.
• Tahini: has a stronger sesame flavor, but is slightly bitter
• Nut butters: almond butter, sunflower seed butter, or your favorite nut butter.
• Soy sauce alternatives: tamari or coconut aminos for a gluten-free alternative.
• Vinegar alternatives: rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar.

Additions

• Protein: chicken, pork, beef, shrimp, tofu, etc.
• Vegetables: carrots, cabbage, bean sprouts, bell peppers, etc.

How to Make

Here are the step-by-step instructions for how to make this sesame noodles recipe.

1. Boil the noodles according to the package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup of hot noodle water.
2. In a small bowl, mix the sauce ingredients until combined. Then slowly add the hot noodle water 1 tablespoon at a time until you reach your desired consistency.

3. Mix the sauce with the noodles until thoroughly coated. Add more hot water if the sauce is too thick or clumpy.

4. Garnish with cucumber, green onion, peanuts, and more chili oil and enjoy!

Storage Instructions

You can store these sesame noodles in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Reheat: The sauce will thicken as it chills. Add a splash of water, then microwave the noodles covered with a wet paper towel until warm.

FAQ

Are these noodles served cold?

Typically, these noodles are served cold or at room temperature because the sauce is not cooked.

What type of noodles do I use?

You can use fresh Chinese wheat noodles, spaghetti, ramen, udon, or your favorite type of noodles for this recipe.

Why is my sesame sauce thick?

The peanut butter and sesame paste combined can be thick, but you can thin it out with reserved hot noodle water

Recipe