Thai Drunken Noodles (Pad Kee Mao)

My favorite recipe for Thai drunken noodles (pad kee mao), made with your choice of protein and veggies and the most irresistible Thai basil sauce. It’s no secret that I’m obsessed with pretty much all kinds of stir-fried noodles.  But I have to say, I think that Thailand’s famous drunken noodles — pad kee mao […]

My favorite recipe for Thai drunken noodles (pad kee mao), made with your choice of protein and veggies and the most irresistible Thai basil sauce.

Drunken Noodles (Pad Kee Mao)

It’s no secret that I’m obsessed with pretty much all kinds of stir-fried noodles.  But I have to say, I think that Thailand’s famous drunken noodles — pad kee mao (ผัดขี้เมา) — will forever be my favorites.

I absolutely adore these noodles. ♡

By contrast to what their name may imply, drunken noodles aren’t typically made with any alcohol at all.  Rather, they are traditionally made with rice noodles, fresh veggies, and your choice of protein (I used chicken here).  But the magic of this recipe lies fully in that “drunken” sauce.  It’s made with a blend of savory, slightly-sweet, and however-spicy-you-prefer base sauce that’s already delicious on its own.  But once it’s tossed with lots and lots of anise-flavored Thai holy basil, get ready, because this sauce transforms into something extra-special and tastes downright irresistible.

If you want to give this recipe a try, I’m really going to insist here that you make the trip to your local southeast Asian grocery to pick up some fresh Thai basil, which is slightly different than Italian basil and provides the je ne sais quoi flavor that I consider key to this dish.  And while I can’t guarantee here that this recipe is 100% authentic, it is the closest I’ve come to recreating the Thai-American restaurant version that I fell in love with years ago and tastes ridiculously good.

The good news for all of us is that this dish is quite easy to make and also makes for fantastic leftovers too.  So go round up some Thai basil and let’s make homemade pad kee mao together!

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Coconut Lime Chicken and Broccoli

This Coconut Lime Chicken and Broccoli stir-fry recipe is quick and easy to make and simmered in a tangy, creamy coconut-lime sauce.  Serve over rice or noodles and enjoy! New chicken stir fry recipe for you today! ♡ This one’s tossed with a fun, bright and tangy coconut lime sauce that you guys are going […]

This Coconut Lime Chicken and Broccoli stir-fry recipe is quick and easy to make and simmered in a tangy, creamy coconut-lime sauce.  Serve over rice or noodles and enjoy!

Coconut Lime Chicken and Broccoli Recipe

New chicken stir fry recipe for you today! ♡

This one’s tossed with a fun, bright and tangy coconut lime sauce that you guys are going to love.  The flavors here are inspired by one of my favorite Thai soups, that features a creamy coconut milk base mixed with zesty hints of ginger, garlic, and lemongrass.  Lots of freshly-squeezed lime juice in there is also balanced out with a hint of honey, which also brings out the sweetness of the coconut milk.  And altogether it tastes ultra-fresh and flavorful and pairs perfectly with a simple chicken and broccoli stir-fry.

The great news for all of us is that this recipe comes together in under 30 minutes and tastes great served over rice or noodles.  (I usually put my Instant Pot to work cooking the rice while I make the stir-fry.)  This recipe also happens to be naturally gluten- and dairy-free.  And of course, as with any stir-fry, this recipe is also super flexible if you’d like to swap in a different protein (shrimp, beef, tofu, etc) or any other veggies (basically any stir-fry-friendly veggies would do) that you prefer.

Alright friends, let’s make some coconut lime chicken and broccoli!

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Green Curry Salmon

This quick and easy Green Curry Salmon recipe is made with tender salmon, fresh baby bok choy, and the most delicious Thai-inspired lime coconut green curry sauce.  Ready to go in less than 30 minutes! New favorite salmon recipe alert! ♡ We’ve been making riffs on this green curry salmon recipe all summer long and […]

This quick and easy Green Curry Salmon recipe is made with tender salmon, fresh baby bok choy, and the most delicious Thai-inspired lime coconut green curry sauce.  Ready to go in less than 30 minutes!

Green Curry Salmon

New favorite salmon recipe alert! ♡

We’ve been making riffs on this green curry salmon recipe all summer long and have agreed that it has now totally earned a permanent spot in our regular dinner rotation.  It’s impressively quick and easy to whip up in just a half hour or so.  And oh my goodness, you guys, the coconut-lime green curry sauce we’re working with here is downright divine.

Just roast up some salmon filets (or you could opt for shrimp, chicken or tofu), sauté some fresh baby bok choy and red onions (or whatever veggies you happen to have in the crisper drawer), stir in some coconut milk and seasonings to bring together this ultra-fresh, bold and zesty curry sauce.  And then serve it all up over rice or noodles, garnished with lots of fresh cilantro and an extra squeeze of lime juice.  And enjoy every last bite!

We’ve decided it’s the perfect healthy comfort food to start transitioning us all from the cool citrusy flavors of summer cuisine to the warmth and coziness of winter ahead.  So bring home some salmon and give it a try!

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Colorful Veggie Sesame Noodles

These sesame noodles are colorful and completely irresistible! I’m always excited when I find sesame noodles amongst a plethora of dishes at a gathering. As a solo…

The post Colorful Veggie Sesame Noodles appeared first on Cookie and Kate.

sesame noodles salad recipe

These sesame noodles are colorful and completely irresistible! I’m always excited when I find sesame noodles amongst a plethora of dishes at a gathering. As a solo dish, I crave noodles with a little more color, perhaps, and more texture and flavor. Must be the “maximalist vegetarian” in me. Always more veggies!

This riff on sesame noodles is exactly what I’ve wished for. This recipe features tender noodles and green onions, of course. I replaced some of the noodles with tons of crisp raw veggies, plus I added tiny sesame seeds, toasted to bring out their best.

The bold but simple seasonings include soy sauce, sesame oil, fresh ginger and garlic, and a generous sprinkling of fresh cilantro (omit it if you don’t like it). I added some chili flakes for extra heat, which you can scale up or down to suit your preferences.

sesame noodle salad ingredients

From what I’ve read, sesame noodles likely originated in the Sichuan province of China (please let me know if you know more). These noodles are not authentic, but they are tasty. I can’t stop going back for more.

Bring these noodles to a gathering or serve them as a side dish. They are nice at room temperature or chilled. Or, turn this recipe into a light meal by adding shelled edamame, crispy baked tofu or a fried egg or two. This recipe keeps well for several days in the fridge, and packs well for lunch.

Continue to the recipe...

The post Colorful Veggie Sesame Noodles appeared first on Cookie and Kate.

Quick Peanut Soba Noodles

These chilled peanut soba noodles are tossed with veggies, fresh herbs and an irresistible peanut sauce…and ready to go in just 20 minutes! Baby, it is hot outside this August here in Barcelona!  We’ve basically been eating salads, salads and more salads lately, to try and beat the summer heat.  But this impromptu (cold!) noodle salad […]

These chilled peanut soba noodles are tossed with veggies, fresh herbs and an irresistible peanut sauce…and ready to go in just 20 minutes!

Quick Peanut Soba Noodles

Baby, it is hot outside this August here in Barcelona!  We’ve basically been eating salads, salads and more salads lately, to try and beat the summer heat.  But this impromptu (cold!) noodle salad also ended up being a surprise fave in our house this month, so I wanted to pop on and share the recipe with you today…

…because I’m pretty sure these peanut soba noodles are exactly what we all need right now. ♡

I mean, it’s pretty much a given that I will be an instant fan of any dish that involves a good peanut sauce.  (And this one is amazing!)  But I’m especially partial to these peanut soba noodles because they are tossed with a quick veggies and herb mix that tastes super light and summery.  These noodles also work great either as a main course or a simple side dish, and could pair well with any cooked proteins that you might like to add (some grilled salmon, shrimp or chicken would be delish).  The entire recipe happens to be naturally gluten-free and vegan, making it perfect if you’d like to bring it along for a picnic or grill night with a diverse group of eaters.  And best of all, it’s easy breezy to whip up in just 20 minutes, which is the name of the game in my kitchen right now!

If soba noodles aren’t your thing, feel free to use whatever kind of noodles you prefer.  But if you’re new to soba, they’re delicious and made from (gf) buckwheat and are a great source of protein, so I highly recommend giving them a try.

Let’s make some peanut noodles!

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Five Spice Tofu with Sesame Noodles

Crispy tofu is tossed with a flavor-packed (and deceptively simple) sweet and savory five spice sauce and served over my favorite sesame noodles.  Perfect for a weeknight dinner or easy meal prep! Winner winner tofu dinner! I’ve been on a bit of a five-spice kick lately, adding it to many of our everyday stir-frys, roasted […]

Crispy tofu is tossed with a flavor-packed (and deceptively simple) sweet and savory five spice sauce and served over my favorite sesame noodles.  Perfect for a weeknight dinner or easy meal prep!

Five Spice Tofu with Sesame Noodles

Winner winner tofu dinner!

I’ve been on a bit of a five-spice kick lately, adding it to many of our everyday stir-frys, roasted veggies, and marinades.  But these five spice tofu noodle bowls that we whipped up for dinner a few weeks ago were such a hit that I had to write down the recipe to share with you guys!

The components here are super simple.  I just whipped up a batch of my favorite sesame noodles and sautéed some tofu until it was nice and crispy.  Then I tossed the tofu with a quick 3-ingredient sauce (made from hoisin, five spice and rice vinegar), served the tofu over the hot sesame noodles (yum), and topped the bowls off with some roasted broccoli (or whatever veggie you prefer).  And wow, all of the sweet and savory layers of flavor just worked here.  So, so good.

We also learned the next day that the leftovers arguably tasted even better, served either hot or cold.  So we’ve been making and enjoying these noodle bowls for meal prep for our weekday lunches ever since.  If tofu isn’t your thing, feel free to make them with chicken, pork, steak, shrimp, salmon, tempeh, or whatever protein you love best.  And if you feel like adding some spice, I highly recommend serving with a drizzle of sriracha too.

Here’s how to make them!
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Ginger Kale Fried Rice

This ginger kale fried rice recipe is quick and easy to make, full of great flavor, and pan-fried until the rice is extra-crispy! So we stocked our pantry with maybe a little too much rice during those early months of staying at home, back when everyone was forecasting shortages on pantry staples here in Barcelona.  […]

This ginger kale fried rice recipe is quick and easy to make, full of great flavor, and pan-fried until the rice is extra-crispy!

Ginger Kale Fried Rice

So we stocked our pantry with maybe a little too much rice during those early months of staying at home, back when everyone was forecasting shortages on pantry staples here in Barcelona.  And months later, lol, we’re still trying to make our way through it!  So my classic fried rice recipe has been on major repeat in our dinner rotation lately, made with whatever ingredients we happen to have on hand or seasonings that we are craving.  But this particular version ended up being so good that I had to pop in and share it as its own brand new recipe today…

…this ginger kale fried brown rice. ♡

It’s made with a short-grain brown rice, which I love using in fried rice because it’s extra chewy and flavorful, in addition to lending some extra nutrition benefits.  The rice is then fried until it’s extra crispy (see tips below!), and tossed with green onions, garlic, peas, eggs and my favorite fried rice seasonings.  One batch of this recipe also packs in an entire bunch of fresh kale (curly or lacinato, you choose), which softens and mixes just perfectly with the rice.  And best of all, the rice is seasoned with lots and lots of fresh ginger, which I think makes it downright irresistible.

Of course, fried rice is always an incredibly versatile recipe when it comes to ingredient add-ins and swaps.  So if you want to maybe add in some extra protein (chicken, shrimp or crispy tofu would be great), some extra veggies (I was thiiiis close to photographing this with some shiitakes, which I still think would be a delicious idea), or spice it up by mixing in some sriracha (yum)…go for it.  I’ve also included options below for how to make this recipe gluten-free or vegan.  So you do you!

And let’s make some fried rice!

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Fried Rice (Takeout Style!)

Here’s how to make the very best fried rice: takeout style! Egg, veggies, garlic and ginger bring aromatic flavor to this homemade comfort food. What’s your favorite comfort food? Mac and cheese and pizza can do the trick, but here’s our ultimate: Fried Rice! There’s something about the chewy clumps of eggs and the savory ginger and soy-infused bites that feels positively life giving. Usually we make fried rice on the fly without a recipe. But after years of tinkering, we wanted to share our master method. Here’s how to make the very best fried rice: it tastes just like takeout from your favorite restaurant! Start with day old rice, if possible! The most basic adage for this classic recipe is: use day old rice. Why use day old rice for fried rice?  Freshly cooked rice has a lot of moisture. If you use fresh rice, it clumps together and turns out soggy. Day old rice dries out. When you cook it, the grains stay separate and form that signature texture. For the best fried rice, make it using leftovers (stored up to 5 days in the refrigerator) or boil a pot the night before. What if you don’t have day […]

A Couple Cooks – Healthy, Whole Food, & Vegetarian Recipes

Here’s how to make the very best fried rice: takeout style! Egg, veggies, garlic and ginger bring aromatic flavor to this homemade comfort food.

Best Fried Rice

What’s your favorite comfort food? Mac and cheese and pizza can do the trick, but here’s our ultimate: Fried Rice! There’s something about the chewy clumps of eggs and the savory ginger and soy-infused bites that feels positively life giving. Usually we make fried rice on the fly without a recipe. But after years of tinkering, we wanted to share our master method. Here’s how to make the very best fried rice: it tastes just like takeout from your favorite restaurant!

Start with day old rice, if possible!

The most basic adage for this classic recipe is: use day old rice. Why use day old rice for fried rice? 

  • Freshly cooked rice has a lot of moisture. If you use fresh rice, it clumps together and turns out soggy.
  • Day old rice dries out. When you cook it, the grains stay separate and form that signature texture. For the best fried rice, make it using leftovers (stored up to 5 days in the refrigerator) or boil a pot the night before.
  • What if you don’t have day old rice? Keep reading for a shortcut…
How to make fried rice

No day old rice for fried rice? Here’s a trick!

Sometimes we don’t think ahead enough to have rice made up the night before. While that’s the primary path to fried rice, we’ve got a little shortcut. If you want to make fried rice the same day, here’s our shortcut.

  • Make the rice. Once it’s finished steaming, proceed to the next step.
  • Spread on a tray and freeze 15 minutes: Spread the freshly cooked rice onto a rimmed sheet pan or tray: you’ll notice lots of steam since it’s still hot. Place the tray in the freezer and freeze for about 15 to 20 minutes until the grains become cool to the touch. Some might even become frozen: that’s ok! They’ll heat right back up once they hit the pan.
Egg fried rice

Ingredients for the best fried rice

The very best fried rice, the kind that tastes like takeout, has very specific ingredients to get that signature flavor. Here are the ingredients for fried rice:

  • Rice: Medium or long grain rice is best, because short grain rice can become clumpy. Basmati rice is a nice option. You can use either white rice or brown rice.
  • Sesame oil: For cooking; use the standard variety, not toasted sesame oil.
  • Onion and garlic: These aromatic veggies form the base.
  • Fresh ginger: Very important for the very best flavor. Find fresh ginger root in the produce section in your grocery.
  • Carrots, peas, and green cabbage (optional): Carrots and peas are classic. Green cabbage is optional, but it adds a nice contrasting texture.
  • Eggs: Eggs are a must and add protein to make the recipe filling.
  • Soy sauce: Essential for the final flavoring.
  • Fish sauce (optional): It really amps the flavors to the next level, if you have it on hand. But it’s not necessary!

Fried rice variations

With a recipe as time-honored as this, there’s bound to be endless variations on the theme. Here are some of our favorite ways to change up fried rice, in order of preference:

  • Shrimp Fried Rice: Add sauteed shrimp to make an incredibly flavorful and filling main dish. Our family favorite!
  • Other Protein: Cook up some chicken, beef or pork to add to the mix.
  • Quinoa Fried Rice: Use quinoa instead of rice for a unique spin.
  • Three Onion Fried Rice: Use onions, shallots, and green onions to enhance the savory flavor.
  • Cauliflower Fried Rice: Go grain free! Use cauliflower rice in place of the standard whole grain.
Shrimp fried rice
Adding shrimp makes it a filling healthy dinner recipe

Make it a meal! What to serve with fried rice

Confession: in the past we’ve floundered when it comes to what to serve with egg fried rice. But take note: you’ve got to add some side dishes to make it a healthy meal. (Or make the shrimp version and it’s a full meal!) Here are some of our favorite sides to go with fried rice:

Homemade fried rice

Vegan fried rice variation!

Love eating plant based? The egg is integral to the texture: but we’ve got a substitute for you that makes vegan fried rice:

  • Make a tofu scramble! Go to Easy Tofu Scramble. Make sure to get the pieces fairly small so they’ll integrate into the texture like an egg would.
  • Make the fried rice without the egg, then stir in the tofu at the end.

This fried rice recipe is…

Vegetarian and gluten-free. For vegan, plant-based, and dairy-free, see the notes in the recipe.

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Best Fried Rice

*Best* Fried Rice (Takeout Style!)


1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (5 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 4
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Here’s how to make the very best fried rice: takeout style! Egg, veggies, garlic and ginger bring aromatic flavor to this homemade comfort food.


Ingredients

  • 1/2 yellow or white onion
  • 2 large garlic cloves
  • 1 tablespoon minced ginger (about 1 inch nub)
  • 2 large carrots
  • 2 cups chopped green cabbage (optional)
  • 3 tablespoons sesame oil, divided
  • 4 eggs*
  • 1/2 cup frozen peas
  • 4 cups cooked rice, at least 1 day old (use How to Cook Rice or Instant Pot Rice), or use shortcut**
  • 3 to 4 tablespoons soy sauce (or liquid aminos)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon fish sauce (optional)
  • Green onion, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Mince the onion. Mince the garlic. Mince the ginger. Peel the carrots, then dice them. If using, chop the cabbage.
  2. In a large skillet or wok, heat 2 tablespoons of the sesame oil medium high. Saute the carrots and onion for 2 minutes. Add the cabbage, garlic and ginger and saute for 2 minutes. Stir in the rice, peas and salt for 1 minute.
  3. Push the rice to the side. Add 1 tablespoon more oil. Add the eggs and pinch of salt, and scramble them in for 1 to 2 minutes until cooked through.
  4. Add the soy sauce and fish sauce, if using. Taste and add additional soy sauce if necessary. Heat for a minute or two, stirring, until all rice is coated. Serve hot.

Notes

*For a vegan variation, make a Tofu Scramble first, keeping the pieces fairly small. Make the rice without the egg, then stir in the scrambled tofu in the last step. 

**Trick: If you don’t have day old rice, here’s a shortcut. Make the rice.  Then spread it onto a rimmed sheet pan and put it into the freezer. Freeze for about 15 to 20 minutes until the grains become cool to the touch. Some might even become frozen: that’s ok! They’ll heat right back up once they hit the pan.

  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Stir Fried
  • Cuisine: Asian

Keywords: Fried Rice, Egg Fried Rice, How to Make Fried Rice

More rice recipes

There are so many tasty ways to eat rice! Here are some of our favorites:

  • Spanish Rice and Beans A pantry-staple sort of meal that works as a healthy vegan and vegetarian dinner or a hearty side.
  • Black Beans and Rice Long-grain rice is jumbled with black beans and green bell pepper, and seasoned with cumin, lime and cilantro.
  • Asparagus Risotto This flavor-packed risotto pairs creamy arborio rice with Parmesan and lemony roasted asparagus.
  • Easy Shrimp Paella A traditional Spanish dish that looks simply stunning.

A Couple Cooks - Healthy, Whole Food, & Vegetarian Recipes

Sushi Rice

This basic sticky sushi rice recipe is easy to make in a rice cooker, Instant Pot, or on the stovetop.  Perfect for making sushi, poke bowls, onigiri and more! Get ready, friends, because we’re learning how to make sushi this week!! ♡ I’ve been looking forward to this series of posts for awhile now.  But […]

This basic sticky sushi rice recipe is easy to make in a rice cooker, Instant Pot, or on the stovetop.  Perfect for making sushi, poke bowls, onigiri and more!

Sushi Rice Recipe

Get ready, friends, because we’re learning how to make sushi this week!! ♡

I’ve been looking forward to this series of posts for awhile now.  But before we dive into a full tutorial on how to make my favorite easy maki rolls, there’s an essential first step that we all need to master first — how to make sushi rice.

This classic vinegared (“sushi” literally means “sour-tasting” in Japanese), firm, sticky, short-grain white rice is the foundation for all sushi.  And, at least in my opinion, it’s one of the main factors that separates the so-so sushi from the stellar sushi.  The good news for us is that excellent sushi rice is quite easy to make at home in either a rice cooker, pressure cooker or on the stovetop.  And all you need to make it are five basic ingredients!

I admittedly go the non-traditional route and just use a basic mixing bowl and spatula for the rice-folding process, which is a method that has always works just fine for us.  But if you would like to make your sushi rice the traditional Japanese way, I have included options below for how to use a wooden hangiri, rice paddle and a fan to fold and cool your sushi.  Whichever method you choose, the end result will be a delicious batch of seasoned sticky rice that will work perfectly in your favorite recipe for sushi, poke bowls, onigiri and more.

So round up these basic ingredients, and let’s make some sushi rice!

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Quick Soba Noodles

Need a quick noodle fix? These simple soba noodles are fast and full of flavor: perfect as an Asian style side dish or easy dinner. Need a quick noodle fix? Try these simple soba noodles! Soba are a Japanese buckwheat noodle, and they’re perfect as a component for a fast and easy dinner. Done in about 15 minutes, they’re covered in a zingy sauce of soy, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and honey and sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds. Throw them in a bowl and top with an egg or sauteed shrimp, and you’ve got dinner! Because they’re so fast, Alex and I have been relying on them as a crutch for quick weeknight meals. They’re also a great side dish for Asian-style meals like Teriyaki Salmon or Shrimp and Broccoli. Here’s what you need to know about soba! Types of soba noodles Soba are a traditional Japanese buckwheat noodle. They’re easy to find at your local grocery, either in the noodles section or near the Japanese ingredients. Because they’re made with buckwheat flour, most soba are naturally gluten-free. However, some brands also have wheat flour in them: so make sure to check the package if you eat gluten free. There […]

A Couple Cooks – Healthy, Whole Food, & Vegetarian Recipes

Need a quick noodle fix? These simple soba noodles are fast and full of flavor: perfect as an Asian style side dish or easy dinner.

Soba noodles

Need a quick noodle fix? Try these simple soba noodles! Soba are a Japanese buckwheat noodle, and they’re perfect as a component for a fast and easy dinner. Done in about 15 minutes, they’re covered in a zingy sauce of soy, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and honey and sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds. Throw them in a bowl and top with an egg or sauteed shrimp, and you’ve got dinner! Because they’re so fast, Alex and I have been relying on them as a crutch for quick weeknight meals. They’re also a great side dish for Asian-style meals like Teriyaki Salmon or Shrimp and Broccoli. Here’s what you need to know about soba!

Types of soba noodles

Soba are a traditional Japanese buckwheat noodle. They’re easy to find at your local grocery, either in the noodles section or near the Japanese ingredients. Because they’re made with buckwheat flour, most soba are naturally gluten-free. However, some brands also have wheat flour in them: so make sure to check the package if you eat gluten free.

There is a lot of variation in soba noodle brands! Alex and I have tested dozens, and we find that every brand of soba is different. Some are very thin and tend to break, so we try to look for soba that are thicker and hold up better. Make sure to experiment a bit to find the brand of soba that you like best.

Soba noodles

What’s in this soba noodles recipe?

This soba noodles recipe is fast and easy to make, and most of the ingredients are pantry staples! It’s essentially a pantry meal aside from the green onion. So you can leave out the green onions if you don’t have them on hand! Here’s what’s in this soba noodles recipe:

  • Soba noodles
  • Soy sauce or liquid aminos
  • Toasted sesame oil: make sure it is toasted, not regular! Toasted sesame oil is intended for flavoring, whereas regular sesame oil is neutral in flavor
  • Rice vinegar
  • Honey or maple syrup
  • Miso: optional but adds great flavor (see below)
  • Garlic
  • Green onions (optional)
  • Sesame seeds (optional; if you use them toast them!)
Soba noodles with sesame seeds

Rinse your soba to remove starch!

Here’s an important note about cooking soba noodles: rinse them after they’re done cooking! Rinsing pasta is not required for something like Italian spaghetti or penne. But for soba, rinsing is necessary to remove starch the builds up during cooking.

If you don’t rinse, here’s what happens: the soba becomes very gummy and mushy. It also absorbs the sauce and becomes dry instead of saucy. So please: rinse your soba after cooking! You’ll notice a big difference.

A secret ingredient: miso

This soba noodles recipe contains a little secret ingredient: miso! If you’ve never cooked with it, we highly recommend getting a container for your fridge (and it lasts for months). Miso is a Japanese fermented soybean paste that’s full of nutrients and savory flavor (or, umami). Umami is the so called “fifth flavor” after sour, salty, sweet, and bitter. It adds incredible flavor to any dish!

You can find miso at most major grocery stores near the other Japanese ingredients. There are many different types of miso, all with different flavors: red, yellow, and brown. Alex and I used brown miso here, which contributed to the dark color of these noodles.

Since we cook mostly plant based, Alex and I tend to use it to get a meaty or cheesy flavor in recipes. It’s great in Easy Miso Ramen, and even works to substitute Parmesan flavor in our Vegan Pesto!

Sesame soba noodles

Why to toast sesame seeds

For the best flavor, garnish these soba noodles with toasted sesame seeds! Of course, you can just use straight up sesame seeds. But toasting your sesame seeds in a pan heightens the nutty flavor considerably. It’s almost like using salt on food: it brings out the existing flavor and takes it to new heights! It only takes 3 minutes to toast sesame seeds, and you can store leftovers in a sealed container for months. Go to How to Toast Sesame Seeds.

Make it a meal!

Now for the fun part: how to make these soba noodles into a meal! You can serve them as part of an easy dinner main dish, or a side to an Asian style entree. Here’s what we recommend:

  • Top with an egg. The easiest way to make it dinner! Top with a fried egg or soft boiled egg. Dinner, solved!
  • Top with tofu. This Pan fried tofu is our favorite method for weeknights. Or try Marinaded tofu, which requires little hands on effort and can be stored in the fridge.
  • Top with shrimp. Try this quick and healthy Sauteed shrimp! To stick with Asian flavors, use plain sesame oil for cooking and substitute the lemon for a drizzle of rice vinegar and soy sauce at the end.
  • Add edamame. This quick Asian style side is so simple! Try with Easy Edamame or Spicy Edamame.
  • Serve with a stir fry! Try it with our Easy Stir Fry Vegetables!
  • Serve as a side dish to shrimp or salmon. Try it with Teriyaki Salmon or Shrimp and Broccoli.
Soba noodles recipe

This soba noodles recipe is…

Vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free and gluten-free.

Print
Soba noodles

Quick Soba Noodles


1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (5 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 4
  • Diet: Vegan

Description

Need a quick noodle fix? These simple soba noodles are fast and full of flavor: perfect as an Asian style side dish or easy dinner.


Ingredients

  • 8 ounces soba noodles
  • 1/4 cup regular soy sauce (or substitute tamari or coconut aminos)
  • 3 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon miso (optional; we used dark miso)
  • 1 teaspoon grated garlic
  • 4 green onions
  • Sriracha, to taste (optional)
  • Toasted sesame seeds*
  • To make it a meal: Fried egg or soft boiled egg, Pan fried tofu or Marinaded tofu, or Sauteed shrimp

Instructions

  1. Cook the noodles: Cook the soba noodles according to the package instructions: it should take about 4 to 5 minutes. Important: when the noodles are done cooking, rinse them under cool running water in a strainer, tossing them to remove the starch. Then shake off excess water. If you’d like the noodles to be warm when serving, run them under warm water for a few seconds; you can also serve room temperature or cold. (If you skip this step, the noodles soak up the sauce and become too dry.)
  2. Whisk the sauce: Meanwhile, in a medium bowl whisk together the soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, rice vinegar, honey or maple syrup, miso (if using), and grated garlic.
  3. Slice the onions: Thinly slice the green onions on the bias (diagonally), using both white and dark green parts.
  4. Combine and serve: Return the rinsed and shaken dry noodles to the pan or a bowl; stir in the sauce and green onions. Place in serving bowls, top with sesame seeds and serve. 

Notes

*Toasting the sesame seeds really brings out the nutty flavor! It takes only 3 minutes and you can taste the difference. Store toasted sesame seeds for months in a sealed container in the pantry.

  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Japanese

Keywords: Soba noodles

A Couple Cooks - Healthy, Whole Food, & Vegetarian Recipes