Chilled Udon Noodle Salad

In the realm of culinary delights, few dishes offer the same refreshing and vibrant experience as a chilled udon noodle salad. This dish effortlessly blends the rich heritage of Japanese cuisine with a modern twist, resulting in a symphony of flavors and textures that dance on the palate.

At its core, this dish revolves around the humble udon noodle, a staple of Japanese cuisine renowned for its thick, chewy texture and ability to absorb the flavors of its accompanying ingredients. In this rendition, the udon noodles are cooked to al dente perfection, achieving that delicate balance between tender and firm. Once cooked, they are promptly rinsed under cold water, halting the cooking process and ensuring they retain their enticing texture.

But what truly elevates this dish are the accompanying ingredients, each carefully selected to contribute its own unique flavor profile and visual appeal. Sliced jalapeno peppers lend a subtle yet tantalizing heat, while vibrant red bell peppers add a pop of color and a hint of sweetness. Julienned carrots provide a satisfying crunch, while fresh cilantro imparts a refreshing herbal note that brightens the entire ensemble.

Of course, no salad is complete without its dressing, and this udon noodle salad is no exception. The dressing, a harmonious blend of sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, lime juice, grated ginger, salt, and pepper, serves as the proverbial glue that binds the disparate elements of the dish together. Its complex interplay of sweet, salty, tangy, and umami flavors adds depth and dimension to every bite, transforming a simple salad into a culinary delight.

Once tossed together, the salad is left to chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and mingle, and the noodles to absorb the essence of the dressing. This brief interlude not only enhances the salad’s flavor profile but also imbues it with a refreshing coolness that makes it ideal for balmy summer days or as a light and satisfying accompaniment to heartier main courses.

When it’s time to serve, the chilled udon noodle salad is garnished with freshly chopped green onions, adding a final flourish of color and flavor to an already dazzling dish. Whether enjoyed on its own as a light lunch or paired with main courses like Reverse Seared Bulgogi Beef Short Ribs, this salad is sure to delight the senses and leave a lasting impression on all who partake in its splendor.

Chilled Udon Noodle Salad

Recipe by Kyle Taylor

5.0 from 1 vote

Course: SidesCuisine: AsianDifficulty: Easy

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

10

minutes

Cooking time

30

minutes

Total time

40

minutes

This chilled udon noodle salad combines Japanese udon noodles with a refreshing medley of jalapeno, red bell pepper, carrot, and cilantro, tossed in a zesty sesame-lime dressing, creating a vibrant and flavorful dish.

Ingredients

• 12 ounces udon noodles

• 1 small jalapeno, thinly sliced

• 1 medium red bell pepper, thinly sliced

• 1 large carrot, julienned

• 1/4 cup cilantro, freshly chopped

• 3 tablespoons soy sauce

• 2 tablespoons sesame oil

• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar

• 1 tablespoon honey

• 1 tablespoon lime juice, freshly squeezed

• 1 teaspoon ginger, freshly grated

• 3 green onions, chopped

• to taste, salt and ground black pepper

Directions

• Cook the Udon Noodles:
  Cook the udon noodles according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain and rinse the noodles under cold water to stop the cooking process. Transfer the noodles to a large mixing bowl.
• Add the Vegetables:
  Add the sliced jalapeno, red bell pepper, julienned carrot, and chopped cilantro to the bowl with the udon noodles.
• Make the Dressing:
  In a small bowl, whisk together the sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, lime juice, grated ginger, salt, and ground black pepper to make the dressing.
• Combine Ingredients:
  Pour the dressing over the udon noodle mixture in the bowl. Toss everything together until well combined and evenly coated with the dressing.
• Chill the Salad:
  Cover the bowl and refrigerate the udon noodle salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to chill.
• Serve and Enjoy:
  Serve the chilled udon noodle salad garnished with freshly chopped green onion. Enjoy as a refreshing and flavorful side dish to a course like Reverse Seared Bulgogi Beef Short Ribs.