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Flavorful Cold Asian Sesame Noodle Salad with Crispy Wonton Strips

Cold Asian Sesame Noodle Salad - featured image

A quick and easy cold noodle salad featuring a rich, nutty sesame dressing and crispy wonton strips for a satisfying crunch. Perfect for lunch, potlucks, or light dinners with an Asian-inspired flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225 g) spaghetti or Asian egg noodles
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
  • 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon chili paste or Sriracha (optional)
  • 1 cup shredded carrots
  • 1 cup thinly sliced cucumber
  • 1/2 cup sliced green onions
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro or parsley (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
  • 12 wonton wrappers, cut into thin strips
  • Vegetable oil for frying
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Cook the noodles: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (225 g) of noodles and cook according to package instructions until just tender (usually 7–9 minutes). Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool them down. Set aside.
  2. Make the crispy wonton strips: Heat about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering (around 350°F / 175°C). Carefully add the wonton strips in batches, frying them until golden and crispy, about 1–2 minutes. Use tongs to remove and drain on paper towels. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt while still warm.
  3. Prepare the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon grated ginger, 1 minced garlic clove, and 1 teaspoon chili paste if using. Taste and adjust sweetness or saltiness as preferred.
  4. Assemble the salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked noodles, shredded carrots, sliced cucumber, and green onions. Pour the dressing over and toss gently but thoroughly to coat.
  5. Garnish and serve: Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds, fresh cilantro if using, and pile on the crispy wonton strips just before serving to keep them crunchy.

Notes

Toss noodles with dressing while still warm for better flavor absorption. Fry or bake wonton strips just before serving to keep them crispy. Rinse noodles under cold water after cooking to prevent stickiness. Use toasted sesame oil for best flavor. For a lighter option, bake wonton strips at 375°F for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway. Gluten-free soy sauce and noodles can be used to make this recipe gluten-free.

Nutrition

Keywords: cold noodle salad, Asian salad, sesame noodle salad, wonton strips, crispy noodles, easy lunch, quick dinner, sesame dressing