Sesame Avocado Soba Noodle Salad (Printable version)
Buckwheat noodles tossed with creamy avocado, crisp vegetables, and savory sesame dressing for a refreshing Japanese-inspired meal.
# What you need:
→ Soba Noodles
01 - 7 oz soba noodles
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 large avocado, diced
03 - 1 cup shredded red cabbage (about 3.5 oz)
04 - 1 medium carrot, julienned
05 - 1 small cucumber, thinly sliced
06 - 2 green onions, sliced
07 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
→ Sesame Dressing
08 - 3 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
09 - 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
10 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
11 - 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
12 - 1 tablespoon maple syrup
13 - 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
14 - 1 clove garlic, finely minced
15 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
→ Garnish
16 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
17 - Additional cilantro or green onions
# How To:
01 - Bring a large pot of water to boil. Cook soba noodles according to package directions until al dente, approximately 4-5 minutes. Drain thoroughly and rinse under cold running water to halt cooking and remove excess starch. Transfer to a large mixing bowl.
02 - In a small bowl, combine toasted sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, lime juice, maple syrup, grated ginger, minced garlic, and 1 tablespoon sesame seeds. Whisk vigorously until emulsified and well combined.
03 - Add the shredded red cabbage, julienned carrot, sliced cucumber, green onions, and cilantro to the bowl with the cooled noodles. Pour the sesame dressing over the mixture.
04 - Using tongs or salad servers, toss the salad gently but thoroughly to ensure all noodles and vegetables are evenly coated with the dressing.
05 - Carefully fold in the diced avocado, taking care not to mash it. Mix just until distributed throughout the salad.
06 - Divide the salad among four serving bowls. Sprinkle with the remaining tablespoon of toasted sesame seeds and additional cilantro or green onions if desired. Serve immediately while noodles are still slightly chilled.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The nutty buckwheat noodles soak up the sesame dressing like they were made for each other
- It comes together faster than takeout and tastes infinitely fresher
02 -
- Never skip rinsing the cooked noodles under cold water or they'll turn into a gummy mess
- The salad needs those 5 minutes after dressing to let flavors penetrate the noodles
03 -
- Use a vegetable peeler to create long ribbons of cucumber instead of slices for an elegant presentation
- Warm the dressing slightly in the microwave for 30 seconds before tossing if your noodles are very cold