# Sesame Noodle Salad (Funchoza)
**Sesame Noodle Salad** is a simple and refreshing dish loaded with vegetables and flavorful elements. Quick to assemble, this colorful salad serves as an ideal side for any occasion.
If you’re in the mood for a classic pasta salad, consider trying our Tri-Color Pasta Salad Recipe or Chicken Salad With Grapes.
**Recipe Overview**
“I love preparing this Sesame Noodle Salad because of its delicious taste. It’s one of those salads that keeps you coming back for more. Serve it at your next summer BBQ or holiday celebration.”
– **Flavor**: A perfect blend of tangy and sweet, highlighted by soy sauce and garlic.
– **Texture**: The soft rice noodles pair beautifully with the crisp vegetables.
– **Preparation Time**: Just 25 minutes needed.
– **Difficulty**: An easy recipe with minimal prep, perfect for making ahead, as the flavors deepen overnight.
**Ingredients Required**
– **Rice Noodles**: Thin, gluten-free noodles with a chewy consistency.
– **Vegetables**: Yellow and Red Bell Peppers, Carrots, and Garlic Clove for added flavor and crunch.
– **Soy Sauce**: Delivers umami notes; choose regular or low-sodium options.
– **Peanut Oil**: Can be swapped with any high-heat oil.
– **Sugar**: Helps to balance the salty and tangy flavors in the dressing.
**Add-ons and Alternatives**
– **Alternate Noodles**: You can use angel hair pasta or thin spaghetti instead of rice noodles. For a thicker option, consider using udon.
– **Gluten-Free Version**: Opt for tamari sauce in place of soy sauce to keep it gluten-free.
– **Additional Vegetables**: Feel free to add in snow peas, bean sprouts, cabbage, cucumber, or edamame.
– **Sugar Alternative**: Swap refined sugar for honey for a more natural sweetness.
**Making Sesame Noodle Salad**
1. **Prepare the Vegetables**: Julienne the carrots and bell peppers.
2. **Soak the Noodles**: Bring water to a boil, add the rice noodles for 5-6 minutes, then drain.
*Pro Tip:* A sieve works wonders for quickly draining rice noodles.
3. **Mix the Sauces**: In a bowl, combine sugar, vinegar, and soy sauce. Heat sesame and peanut oil in a pan.
4. **Heat the Oil**: Warm the oils in a skillet until smoking, then pour over bell peppers, carrots, and garlic in a mixing bowl.
5. **Toss the Vegetables**: Combine the hot oil with the vegetables.
6. **Combine and Serve**: Incorporate the soy sauce mixture with the rice noodles, mix well, and serve chilled.
**Tips for the Recipe**
– **High Smoke Point Oil**: Choose oils like peanut, canola, or avocado for high-temp cooking.
– **Use Tongs When Mixing**: Tongs are ideal for mixing hot pasta with vegetables, ensuring an even distribution while keeping your hands safe.
- Chill: This Sesame Noodle Salad is best served cold, so refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes prior to serving.
- Prep Ahead: This salad is most flavorful when made a day in advance, allowing the dressing to meld with the vegetables.
FAQs
How long will sesame noodles last in the fridge?
Sesame noodles created with rice noodles can last in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Keep in mind that the vegetables may soften over time as they absorb the dressing, changing the texture.
What dressing do you use for cold sesame noodle salad?
The Sesame Noodle Salad features a zesty and umami-rich dressing made from soy sauce, sugar, and rice vinegar, enhanced by sesame oil and garlic.
Is funchoza gluten-free?
Funchoza, made from rice noodles, is naturally gluten-free. It can be entirely gluten-free by using gluten-free soy sauce or tamari.
Serving Suggestions
Vegetable and pasta-rich salads serve as fantastic accompaniments for any meal. This Sesame Noodle Salad pairs excellently with meats, sushi, seafood, and other salads.
- Meats: Enjoy this crisp salad alongside Barbecue Pork Ribs, Smoked Chicken Thighs, Braised Beef Short Ribs (VIDEO), or Breaded Chicken Skewers.
- Salads: Complement it with other salads at events, such as Shredded Carrot Salad, Cabbage Cucumber Salad, Kani Salad, or Asian Chicken Salad.
- Sushi: Pair it with your favorite sushi creations like the Salmon Skin Roll, Dynamite Roll, Shrimp Tempura Roll, or Spicy Salmon Roll.
- Seafood: Delight in this Sesame Noodle Salad with Panko Crusted Salmon, Pan Fried Cod with Sautéed Veggies, Crab Stuffed Mushrooms, or Cedar Plank Salmon.
Make This Recipe in Advance
Prep Ahead: Whip up this salad in advance, cover it, and refrigerate for a day to boost the flavors.
Storing: Keep this Sesame Noodle Salad in an airtight container or a bowl covered with wrap for up to 4 days.
Freezing: It’s advisable not to freeze this salad, as it can turn soft and mushy when thawed.
More Tasty Asian Dishes!
- Chicken Chow Mein
- Panda Express Mushroom Chicken (copycat)
- Shredded Carrot Salad
- Roasted Eggplant Salad
Chicken Chow Mein
Panda Express Mushroom Chicken (copycat)
Shredded Carrot Salad
Roasted Eggplant SaladOriginally published on December 29, 2016, this recipe has been updated. This post may include affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.
Complete Recipe Instructions
Sesame Noodle Salad (Funchoza)
Rice Noodle Salad is a quick and refreshing dish brimming with veggies and bold flavors. This vibrant salad can be prepared in just minutes and makes an ideal accompaniment to any main course.from 1 vote
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Ingredients
- 1 6 oz package rice noodles
- 1
- 1 yellow bell pepper
- 1 red bell pepper
- 2 large carrots
- 1 large garlic clove grated
- 3/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 cup peanut oil
- 1/2 tsp sesame oil
### Instructions1. Slice the carrots and bell peppers into thin julienne strips.
2. Place the rice noodles in a bowl of boiling water and let them soak for 5-6 minutes. Afterward, strain the water.
3. In a separate bowl, blend the sugar, vinegar, and soy sauce until well combined. Heat sesame oil in a pan afterward.
4. In a large mixing bowl, combine the bell peppers, carrots, and grated garlic.
5. In a skillet, heat the sesame and peanut oils on high until it starts to smoke.
6. Drizzle the hot oil over the vegetables and swiftly toss using tongs.
7. Incorporate the soy sauce mixture and rice noodles into the bowl, mixing well to combine. Serve chilled.### Notes
This salad is especially flavorful the following day. Refrigerating it overnight allows the dressing to better penetrate the vegetables.
### Nutrition
– Calories: 314 kcal
– Carbohydrates: 42.8 g
– Protein: 3.4 g
– Fat: 14.1 g
– Saturated Fat: 2.4 g
– Sodium: 1437 mg
– Fiber: 1.7 g
– Sugar: 4.2 g
