Description
This Sesame Chili Cold Soba Noodle Salad is a vibrant and refreshing dish combining nutty sesame flavors with a spicy chili kick. Featuring tender soba noodles, crunchy red cabbage slaw, and a protein option of smoked tofu or edamame, it’s perfect for a light yet satisfying meal. The dish is tossed in a savory, tangy dressing with hints of five spice and lime, delivering a balanced blend of Asian-inspired flavors that can be enjoyed immediately or chilled for a cool, crisp salad.
Ingredients
Scale
Dressing
- 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
Cabbage Slaw
- 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
- 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
- 8 mint leaves, torn
- 1/4 cup cilantro leaves, roughly chopped
- Lime wedges for serving
Instructions
- Make the Dressing: In a blender cup, combine the Chinese sesame paste, chili crisp oil, black vinegar, tamari, grated garlic, agave syrup, five spice, allspice, and vegetable broth. Blend the ingredients until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning by adding more tamari or vinegar if desired. Set the dressing aside for later use.
- Prepare the Cabbage Slaw: In a large mixing bowl, combine 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, agave syrup if using, and a generous pinch of kosher salt. With clean hands, massage and toss the mixture thoroughly to soften the cabbage and allow the flavors to meld. Set aside to marinate.
- Cook and Dress the Soba Noodles: Bring a medium pot of water to a boil, then cook the soba noodles according to the package instructions—usually about 5 to 7 minutes. While the noodles cook, whisk together the lime juice, tamari, and agave syrup in a medium bowl to create the noodle dressing. Once the noodles are cooked, drain them and rinse under cold water until completely cool. Transfer the cooled noodles to the bowl with the dressing and toss to evenly coat. Add a few ice cubes on top to keep noodles chilled and set aside.
- Prepare the Protein: For smoked tofu, crumble it into small pieces. To cook the tofu, heat a pan over medium-low heat and add avocado oil if using. Add the crumbled tofu evenly to the pan and cook undisturbed for 3 minutes to allow it to brown lightly. Stir and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until golden and heated through. For edamame, cook according to package instructions—typically boil or steam until tender. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Assemble the Salad: Drizzle a few spoonfuls of the sesame chili dressing into the bottom of each serving bowl. Add a portion of the dressed soba noodles, then top with a generous amount of crumbled smoked tofu or cooked edamame. Drizzle another layer of the sesame dressing over the top. Add a hearty scoop of the marinated cabbage slaw. Garnish with torn mint leaves and chopped cilantro. Serve with lime wedges on the side. Enjoy immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, add extra chili crisp oil or include more sliced fresh chili peppers in the slaw.
- This salad can be prepared ahead of time, but for best texture, dress the noodles and slaw just before serving.
- To make this recipe gluten-free, ensure to use gluten-free tamari and soba noodles made from 100% buckwheat.
- Smoked tofu adds a smoky flavor but can be substituted with plain firm tofu or other plant-based proteins.
- Adjust the sweetness by varying the amount of agave or maple syrup based on your taste preference.
