The BEST Chinese Sesame Noodles (Easy 15-Minute Recipe!)
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This Chinese Sesame Noodles recipe is quick, easy, and tastes even better than takeout! You are going to love this recipe, because it is made with convenient pantry ingredients and is ready in mere minutes. Learn how to make sesame noodles with this simple recipe that is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Why You’ll Love This Chinese Sesame Noodles Recipe
Chinese sesame noodles are a takeout favorite that can be served as an appetizer, main, or side. They can be enjoyed either warm or chilled as a cold noodle dish. They are made with simple ingredients and are flavorful enough to be eaten on their own.
You will love this sesame noodles recipe, because you could probably make it in less time than it would take to get takeout. Not only that, by making this recipe at home, you know exactly what ingredients are going into it. This recipe is also very flexible, so be sure to read my ideas below for customizing it to your tastes!
Chinese Sesame Noodles Ingredients
To make this easy sesame noodles recipe, you will need:
- Noodles: I always make this recipe with thin spaghetti. However, any kind of noodles will work in this recipe.
- Soy sauce: I generally use organic soy sauce. You could also use tamari or low-sodium soy sauce instead.
- Sesame oil: This single ingredient adds the most delicious, nutty flavor to the noodles.
- Vegetable oil: This is the neutral-flavored oil I like to use in the sauce. You could substitute it with safflower or canola oil as well.
- Sugar: This adds a bit of sweetness and rounds out the rest of the flavors in the sauce perfectly. I always use granulated sugar, but you could use brown or coconut sugar instead.
- Rice vinegar: This adds some much-needed acidity to the noodles. You could substitute it with red wine vinegar as well.
- Crushed red pepper flakes: These add just the tiniest bit of heat to the sauce.
- Green onions: These are used as a garnish to add color and freshness to the noodles.
- Sesame seeds: These add extra flavor and crunch to the noodles. You can also lightly toast the sesame seeds to bring out their flavor even more.
Detailed ingredient information and amounts are included in the recipe card below.
How to Make Sesame Noodles
To make these homemade sesame noodles, simply:
- Cook your pasta: Boil your pasta in salted water, according to the package instructions.
- Whip up the sauce: While the pasta is cooking, stir all of your sauce ingredients together in a small saucepan until combined.
- Toss everything together: Once the pasta is ready to go, drain it completely. Then toss it with the sauce.
- Garnish and serve: Top your noodles with green onions and sesame seeds. You can serve your sesame noodles warm or chilled, but I always like to eat them right away while they are still warm.
As always, complete recipe instructions are included in the recipe card at the end of the post.
Possible Recipe Variations
There are all sorts of fun ways that you can customize this sesame noodles recipe! Some options are:
- Add some protein: Cooked chicken, shrimp, egg, or tofu would be delicious additions to this recipe.
- Add different veggies: Thinly sliced carrot, red pepper, zucchini, or cucumber can also be mixed in to the noodles to give them a bit more crunch and color.
- Make it spicy: If you like a lot of heat, you can add extra crushed red pepper flakes or some Sriracha to the sauce.
- Make it gluten-free: Use gluten-free pasta noodles instead of spaghetti and use tamari rather than soy sauce.
As I mentioned above, this is a very flexible recipe. So, feel free to tailor it to your preferences with your favorite flavors and ingredients.
Chinese Sesame Noodles Storage Tips
Here is how to store any leftover sesame noodles in either the fridge or the freezer:
- To store in the fridge: Leftover sesame noodles can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- To store in the freezer: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Use a freezer-safe container or freezer bag, and try to remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. I recommend thawing in the refrigerator overnight before reheating, to help maintain the texture of the noodles.
More Easy Takeout-Style Recipes
Craving more Asian-style, takeout-inspired dinner recipes? Here are some other great dishes to try:
If you make this Chinese Sesame Noodles recipe, let me know! Leave a comment with a star rating ★ below, because I love hearing from you! ♡
The BEST Chinese Sesame Noodles (Easy 15-Minute Recipe!)
Ingredients
- 8 ounces spaghetti
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 1/2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 3 green onions, thinly sliced
- 2 teaspoons sesame seeds
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in a pot of salted boiling water, according to the package directions.
- While the pasta is cooking, combine the soy sauce, sesame oil, vegetable oil, water, sugar, rice vinegar, and crushed red pepper flakes in a small saucepan set over medium heat. Cook, while stirring, until the sugar is dissolved.
- When the pasta is done cooking, drain off the water and return the pasta to the pot. Pour the prepared sauce over the pasta and toss to coat.
- Top with green onions and sesame seeds. Serve warm or cold.
Nutrition
Notes
- Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to five days or in the freezer for up to three months.
- To make this recipe gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta noodles instead of spaghetti and substitute the soy sauce with tamari.
This post was originally published on February 5, 2017. It has been updated to reflect new information and helpful content.
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I made this on Sunday and used whole wheat linguine. My family loved it. I definitely will make this again. Thanks for sharing your recipe.
That’s great! Thanks for letting me know! I am glad you and your family enjoyed the recipe. 🙂
Simple and lovely sesame noodles recipe.