Description
Garlic Sesame Noodles are quick, flavorful, and incredibly versatile—made with tender noodles tossed in a bold sesame-soy sauce, fresh garlic and ginger, and finished with your favorite crunchy, colorful toppings.
Ingredients
For the Noodles:
- 12 oz (340g) of spaghetti, ramen, or lo mein noodles
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil (to prevent sticking)
For the Garlic Sesame Sauce:
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 ½ tablespoons toasted sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar (use maple syrup for vegan)
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce (optional but adds depth)
- 2 teaspoons sriracha or chili flakes (adjust for spice level)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch (for a slightly thicker sauce)
- 2 tablespoons water (to dissolve cornstarch)
Toppings (Optional but Recommended):
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
- 2 green onions, finely sliced
- ½ cup shredded carrots
- ½ cup cucumber, julienned
- ½ cup chopped peanuts or cashews
- Additional chili flakes or sriracha for heat
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add a generous pinch of salt.
2. Cook the noodles according to the package instructions until al dente.
3. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and remove excess starch.
4. Toss the noodles with 1 tablespoon of sesame oil to prevent sticking and set aside.
5. In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, honey (or sweetener), hoisin sauce, and sriracha.
6. In a separate bowl, dissolve the cornstarch in 2 tablespoons of water.
7. Heat a pan over medium heat. Add a small drizzle of oil and sauté the garlic and ginger for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
8. Pour in the sauce mixture and bring to a gentle simmer.
9. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook for another minute until slightly thickened.
10. Add the cooked noodles to the pan and toss until well coated in the sauce.
11. Stir in sesame seeds and any additional toppings you like.
12. Transfer the noodles to a serving dish.
13. Sprinkle with green onions, more sesame seeds, chopped nuts, or fresh vegetables.
14. Serve warm, at room temperature, or chilled.
Notes
For a gluten-free version, use tamari and rice noodles.
Customize the toppings to your taste—avocado, bell peppers, or edamame are great adds.
The sauce can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Serve it as a main dish or pair with grilled chicken, tofu, or shrimp for extra protein.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup of noodles
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 4g
- Fat: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 10g