Chinese Sesame Noodles (麻酱面)
User Reviews
5
-
Prep Time
5 mins
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Cook Time
5 mins
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Total Time
10 mins
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Servings
2
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Calories
589 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Chinese
Chinese Sesame Noodles (麻酱面)
Description
At the heart of Chinese Sesame Noodles is a sauce crafted from aromatic minced garlic, finely chopped scallions, toasted sesame seeds, and chili flakes drizzled with hot neutral oil to enhance flavor extraction. This base is blended with a softened Chinese sesame paste thinned with water, then combined with light soy sauce, black rice vinegar, and a hint of sugar to achieve a harmonious balance of savory, tangy, and slightly sweet notes.
Cooked noodles are cooled after boiling to prevent clumping and maintain elasticity. They are then topped with crisp cucumber sticks and optional fresh chili and cilantro, adding a crisp, cooling contrast. Pouring the sauce over just before eating keeps the noodles coated with a luscious, silky dressing and ensures textural harmony between creamy, crunchy, and spicy elements.
This dish works well as a light main or side, especially in warm weather or as part of a multi-dish meal. Adjusting chili flakes allows customization of heat level. When substituting Chinese sesame paste, alternatives like peanut butter or tahini with toasted sesame oil can be used though water amounts for thinning may differ and require adjustment for desired consistency.
Ingredients
For the sauce
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 talk scallions finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds plus some for garnishing, toasted
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes or to taste
- 2 tablespoon neutral cooking oil
- 2 tablespoon Chinese sesame paste see note 1 for substitutes
- 2 tablespoon soy sauce light
- 1 tablespoon black rice vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon sugar
Noodles & vegetables
- 2 portion noodles see note 2 for weight suggestions
- ½ large cucumber cut into matchsticks
- Chili pepper chopped, to taste, fresh
- cilantro optional
Instructions
Prepare the seasonings
- Put minced garlic, chopped scallions, sesame seeds, and chili flakes into a small bowl. Heat oil until hot. Pour it over the above ingredients. Mix well.
- Add sesame paste to another bowl. Stir with a spoon while adding 2 tablespoons of water in several batches until it becomes a smooth, much thinner consistency. Be patient with this process as it’ll take some time to get the right texture (see note 3 if using substitutes). Add light soy sauce, black rice vinegar, and sugar. Mix until fully integrated.
Cook the noodles
- Bring plenty of water to a full boil. Put in noodles. Once it comes back to a boil, turn down the heat a little to avoid boiling over.
- Once cooked, transfer the noodles to a colander and rinse under running water to cool them down quickly.
Assemble the dish
- Place the noodles in 2 serving bowls. Top them up with cucumber, fresh chili, and cilantro (if using). Pour the spicy dressing and the sesame sauce mixture over.
- Give everything a thorough mix to coat each strand of noodle with the sauce. Sprinkle some toasted sesame seeds to garnish.
Notes
- You can substitute Chinese sesame paste with peanut butter or a mixture of tahini and toasted sesame oil, but adjust water carefully to achieve the right sauce consistency.
- For fresh noodles, 7oz (200g) is a standard serving; dried noodles require about 3.5oz (100g) per serving.
- When using substitutes for sesame paste, blending and thinning will require more patience to get a smooth sauce.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 2Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 589 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving | |
| Calories | 589kcal | 29% |
| Carbohydrates | 81g | 27% |
| Protein | 15g | 30% |
| Fat | 24g | 37% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 31g | 182% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Sodium | 2581mg | 108% |
| Potassium | 255mg | 5% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 407IU | 8% |
| Vitamin C | 4mg | 4% |
| Calcium | 57mg | 6% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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