What’s your go to order when you’re getting Chinese take out? Mine is beef chow fun (OMG I love the heck out of that stuff) and Mike goes between black bean beef chow mein and yang chow fried rice. What we never ever order is sesame noodles. But sesame noodles are a thing. I know because sesame noodles are many people’s ride or die. Don’t get me wrong, I love sesame noodles. But I just never order them because, why? They’re incredibly easy to make at home – it’s literally faster than ordering takeout.
Once you make your first bowl of homemade sesame noodles, I guarantee you won’t be ordering them anymore. Slurpable strands of chewy noodles tossed in a creamy, nutty, savory, sweet sauce. SO GOOD. Plus, these are pretty much pantry noodles so you can make them any time, any where.
These aren’t the spicy kind of sesame noodles by the way. If you’re looking for those, you’re probably wanting to make cheater’s dan dan noodles. These are a sweet and savory nutty noodle that everyone will love. There’s creamy richness from the sesame paste, umami from the soy sauce, tang from the rice vinegar, a bit of bite from the raw garlic, and sweetness thanks to a bit of sugar.
These couldn’t be simpler to make. I like mixing up the sauce right in the bowl I’m going to eat it in, that way I have only one bowl to wash. Make it a big one so you have lots of room to toss your noodles, then slurp away. Happiness is a bowl full of sesame noodles, am I right?
Better Than Takeout Sesame Noodles
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp Chinese sesame paste
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
- 2 tsp sugar
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 4 ounces dried noodles of choice
- toasted sesame seeds to finish
- chili flakes to finish
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix together the sesame paste, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, sugar, and garlic.
- Cook the noodles according to the package instructions. Save 1/4 cup of the cooking water, then drain well.
- Toss the noodles with the sauce, loosening with hot noodle water if too thick.
- Enjoy topped with toasted sesame seeds and chili flakes if desired.
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-Steph & Mike
Hi, I noticed you used the same noodles for this dish as you did in your linked Dan Dan Noodles recipe. I know you said the noodles are the reader’s “choice” but I am curious what noodles specifically you picked? Can you post a picture of the package or describe them? I assume they are white/eggless? Thank you.
It looks like the Italian dried pasta Mafaldine but I am curious as well. Please let us know, the noodles look great.
hi,
they are chinese shanxi planed noodles. they’re pretty common in the dried noodle section at the asian grocery store :)
hi david,
i used chinese shanxi planed noodles. they’re pretty common in the dried noodle section at the asian grocery store. they’re sold in a clear plastic bag, usually with a bunch of individual packages in a bigger bag. they’re basic wheat noodles with a bit of salt. hope that helps a bit. i looked online and they don’t seem to sell them on amazon, so your best bet is to head to the asian grocery store :)
That’s really helpful. Thanks for taking the time to describe the noodles.
This looks totally tasty! Thank you! Will give it a try on the weekend :).
I am curious about the noodles you used as well!
hey, sorry i was a bit slow getting back to you, but they are shanxi planed noodles :) sometimes they call them knife cut noodles. they have them at the asian grocery store in the dry noodle aisle. hope that helps!
sounds delicious. Even though i love the fresh rice noodles i can buy in little saigon in orange county, i found a brand called nona lim at whole foods. They come in a pad see ew width and i just microwaved them. I was skeptical at first but they were delicious. Just like fresh ones. The dangerous thing is they taste great with any kind of sauce, so i’ll have to try with this one. They were good with just sweet chilli sauce,cilantro and some peanuts. thanks so much i love your blog. kim
Yum!! This was great. Had everything except toasted sesame oil and used regular sesame oil instead. Thanks for an easy and tasty pantry meal!!
oh yay! happy you were able to do the sub and hope you’re staying safe and healthy :)
They look so good! I would like to know what type of soy sauce you use?
Thanks!
it’s a regular light soy sauce :)
Can’t wait to try this. Would tahini be a suitable replacement for the Chinese sesame paste?
hi bob,
you can definitely use tahini. it won’t have the same roasted deep flavor but it’ll be delicious – i’ve made it with tahini before!
This looks amazing! What would you suggest for a protein and a veggie/green to go with this?
hi caitlin,
i would just do a simple green like blanched broccoli or maybe garlic broccoli! you could even go for sautéed spinach or kale :)
This looks absolutely delicious. I was wondering what I would be able to use in place of the sesame paste? Our grocery store does not carry it.
Thank you
Stay safe
hi,
you can sub almond butter or peanut butter! any nut butter (ones without sugar preferably) will do :) stay safe out there!
I haven’t tried this but I’ve been thinking Tahini could work. It’s 100% sesame. (Only get 100%, not spiced.) I read an article online about the difference but I think it’s minimal. I believe it would be better than peanut butter or any other nut butter.
hi! do you think that honey would work instead of sugar? and if not, what would??
thank you :)
hi debbie,
you can totally substitute honey :)
I’ve looked at the noodles online but they don’t have the ruffles along the edge like yours. Could you show the package or indicate the brand? I would love to use these in other dishes.
hi, i can’t find the exact brand i have online but these are the same: https://amzn.to/3ajaCV0 or https://amzn.to/2MEEyTd
or you can get these https://amzn.to/3tf2xJC and not use the sauce packets!