Soba, Japanese buckwheat noodles, are ideal for salads because they taste particularly great when served cold.
Cold Noodle Salad With Spicy Peanut Sauce
Crunchy vegetables are highlighted here, adding lots of crisp, fresh texture. The spicy peanut sauce is very adaptable and can be prepared ahead of time. Cold soba noodles are paired with crunchy vegetables and a creamy spicy peanut sauce in this salad. Soba noodles have the perfect firm-yet-pliant texture for absorbing the peanut sauce. Vegetables like cucumber, red bell pepper and carrot add great crunch. The versatile peanut sauce can be made ahead and adjusted to your spice preferences. It’s a noodle salad with something for everyone.
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- Kosher salt
- 10 ounces soba noodles
- 1 medium zucchini or cucumber (about 6 ounces)
- 5 radishes (about 4 ounces)
- 1 bell pepper (any color)
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- ½ cup roasted salted peanuts (about 2 ounces), roughly chopped
- 2 scallions, trimmed and finely chopped
- Handful of cilantro leaves
- 1 lime, cut into wedges for serving
For the Spicy Peanut Sauce:
- ½ cup smooth peanut butter (not natural)
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 2 tbsp lime juice (from 1 lime)
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 tsp chile oil or hot sauce, plus more to taste
- 1 garlic clove, grated
Directions
- Bring a pot of salted water to the boil. Add the soba, stir to prevent sticking, and cook according to package instructions until just tender. Rinse under cold water until the noodles are completely cold.
- Meanwhile, make the sauce: In a medium bowl, combine the peanut butter, soy sauce, maple syrup, lime juice, sesame oil, chile oil or hot sauce, and garlic. Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup water, 1 tablespoon at a time, and whisk until the sauce is a pourable consistency. Taste and add more chile oil or hot sauce as desired; set aside.
- Cut the zucchini or cucumber and radishes into 1/8-inch thick slices, then cut into thin matchsticks. Slice the peppers into 1/8-inch pieces. Place them all in a large bowl.
- Loosen the soba noodles by running them under some water, then allow to drain again. Add them to the vegetables, add the remaining 1 tablespoon sesame oil and toss to combine.
- When you are ready to serve, drizzle with spicy peanut sauce and top with peanuts, scallions and cilantro. Serve immediately, with lime wedges alongside.