Refreshing Soba Noodle Bowl (Printable Version)

Chewy buckwheat noodles with crisp vegetables and creamy sesame dressing.

# What You'll Need:

→ Noodles & Vegetables

01 - 8.8 oz dried soba noodles
02 - 1 cup shelled edamame, fresh or frozen
03 - 1 medium cucumber, julienned
04 - 2 medium carrots, peeled and julienned
05 - 2 scallions, thinly sliced
06 - 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
07 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro or mint leaves, optional

→ Sesame Dressing

08 - 3 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari for gluten-free
09 - 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
10 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
11 - 1 tablespoon tahini or smooth peanut butter
12 - 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
13 - 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
14 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
15 - 1 tablespoon water, as needed for consistency

# Method:

01 - Cook the soba noodles according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water to prevent sticking.
02 - While the noodles cook, blanch the edamame in boiling water for 2 to 3 minutes, then drain and set aside.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together all the sesame dressing ingredients until smooth. Add more water if needed to reach a pourable consistency.
04 - Julienne the cucumber and carrots, and slice the scallions.
05 - In a large bowl, toss the cooled soba noodles with half of the sesame dressing.
06 - Divide the noodles among four bowls. Top each with edamame, cucumber, carrots, and scallions. Drizzle with remaining dressing.
07 - Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and fresh herbs if desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 30 minutes, which means you can actually make it on a Tuesday night without overthinking.
  • The sesame dressing tastes so rich and complex that people always ask if you spent hours on it, when really you just whisked things together.
  • It's the kind of bowl that works for meal prep, keeps beautifully in the fridge, and tastes even better the next day.
  • You get that satisfying chew from the noodles plus brightness from fresh vegetables—it never feels heavy or boring.
02 -
  • The noodles absolutely must be rinsed in cold water after cooking, or they'll stick together in a sad clump no amount of dressing can fix.
  • Don't dress the entire bowl ahead of time if you're storing it—keep the dressing separate and only combine right before eating, or the noodles will absorb everything and turn into mush by morning.
03 -
  • Toast your own sesame seeds in a dry pan over medium heat for 2 minutes and the difference in flavor will make you wonder why you ever bought pre-toasted.
  • If you can't find good soba noodles, the whole dish falls apart a little—spend the extra dollar and look for ones that are mostly buckwheat, not filler.
Go Back