Asian Peanut Noodle Bowl (Print Page)

Tender noodles with crisp vegetables in creamy peanut dressing

# What You Need:

→ Noodles

01 - 10 oz rice noodles or wheat noodles

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium carrot, julienned
03 - 1 small red bell pepper, thinly sliced
04 - 2.8 oz shredded red cabbage
05 - 2 scallions, thinly sliced
06 - 0.5 cup fresh cilantro leaves
07 - 0.5 cup bean sprouts

→ Peanut Dressing

08 - 5.3 oz creamy peanut butter
09 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari
10 - 1 tablespoon sesame oil
11 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
12 - 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
13 - 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
14 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
15 - 2 to 4 tablespoons warm water, as needed

→ Toppings

16 - 2 tablespoons roasted peanuts, roughly chopped
17 - 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
18 - Lime wedges for serving

# Directions:

01 - Cook the noodles according to package instructions. Drain thoroughly and rinse under cold water until cooled. Set aside.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, honey or maple syrup, ginger, and minced garlic. Gradually add warm water while whisking until the dressing reaches a smooth, pourable consistency.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled cooked noodles, julienned carrot, sliced bell pepper, shredded cabbage, sliced scallions, cilantro leaves, and bean sprouts.
04 - Pour the peanut dressing over the noodle and vegetable mixture. Toss thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
05 - Divide the noodle mixture among serving plates. Top each portion with chopped roasted peanuts, toasted sesame seeds, and additional fresh cilantro.
06 - Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side. The bowl may be enjoyed chilled or gently warmed according to preference.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The dressing comes together in under five minutes and tastes like it took all day to develop.
  • It works equally well cold from the fridge or gently warmed, making it genuinely flexible for however you're feeling.
  • You can prep vegetables ahead and toss everything together when you're actually hungry.
02 -
  • If your dressing breaks or looks separated, it means the peanut butter wasn't fully incorporated before you added the water. Whisk more vigorously or start over with a fresh batch, adding water even more gradually.
  • Cold noodles and warm dressing are actually perfect together because the heat softens the vegetables slightly while keeping everything crisp and bright.
03 -
  • Toast your own sesame seeds in a dry skillet for two minutes and you'll understand why the recipe calls for them at all. The difference between toasted and untoasted is genuinely transformative.
  • Make extra dressing because you'll want to drizzle more over your bowl as you eat, and leftover dressing keeps in the fridge for almost a week.
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