When I’m craving something quick, comforting, and full of flavour, this peanut sesame noodles recipe is my go-to! It’s inspired by classic Taiwanese sesame noodles, but I’ve tweaked it to create my own version with an extra creamy, nutty peanut sesame sauce. Perfect for days when you’re feeling lazy but still want a bowl of slurpable, satisfying noodles!
What You’ll Need
The star ingredient here is peanut sesame paste — a rich, nutty spread often found in Asian supermarkets. It’s slightly thicker and has a deeper roasted flavour compared to tahini (which is made purely from sesame seeds).
Versatile and Delicious
One of the best things about this sauce is how versatile it is. You can toss it with cold noodles for a refreshing, summery meal, or mix it with hot noodles for something warm and cozy — both ways are absolutely delicious!
Tips for Making the Perfect Sauce
When mixing water into the peanut sesame paste, add it gradually, a little at a time.
This helps the paste loosen up slowly and become silky smooth without clumping. If you add too much water at once, it can separate or become too runny — so be patient and mix well after each addition!
It doesn’t stop there:
- Drizzle it over steamed vegetables like tender broccoli stems or bok choy.
- Use it as a dipping sauce for poached chicken, grilled meats, or dumplings.
- Mix it into salads for an extra nutty kick.
Do Not Use Tahini
I know some people might suggest using tahini as an alternative, but I really don’t recommend it for this recipe. Tahini is made from raw sesame seeds, which gives it a slightly bitter and earthy flavour — not the rich, nutty taste we’re looking for here. Asian peanut sesame paste, on the other hand, is made from roasted sesame seeds and sometimes blended with peanuts, giving it a deeper, more toasted and savoury aroma that’s essential for this sauce.
You can usually find peanut sesame paste in the condiment section of Asian supermarkets. If it’s tricky to get your hands on it, a smooth supermarket peanut butter (even if lightly sweetened) would be a much better substitute than tahini.
Other simple pantry items you’ll need include soy sauce, Korean Gochugaru (red pepper powder), white vinegar, fresh garlic, spring onion, and your favourite type of Asian noodles.
This sauce is truly something you’ll want to keep around for just about everything! Let me know if you give it a try.
Easy Peanut Sesame Noodles
Ingredients
- 1 pack Asian noodles of your choice
- Cucumber strips (optional)
- Sesame seeds to garnish
FOR THE SAUCE
- 1 tbsp Gochugaru (Korean red pepper powder)
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- 1 tbsp chopped spring onion
- 1 tbsp chopped garlic
- 2-3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2-3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp white vinegar
- 2 tbsp peanut sesame paste
- 2 tbsp water
- *Feel free to adjust the ratio for your liking.
Instructions
- In a heatproof bowl, combine the Gochugaru, sesame seeds, spring onion, and garlic.
- Heat 2–3 tbsp vegetable oil over medium-high heat until it shimmers, then carefully pour the hot oil over the spice mixture.
- Add the soy sauce and white vinegar into the bowl and stir well to combine.
- In a separate bowl,mix the peanut sesame paste with water until smooth. Adjust the water slightly if you prefer a thinner or thicker sauce.
- Combine the peanut sesame paste mixture with the spice mixture and stir until evenly blended.
- Cook the noodles according to the package instructions until al dente. Immediately rinse them under ice-cold water to stop the cooking process, then drain well.
- Place the noodles into a serving bowl, pour over the sauce, and toss to coat evenly.
- Top with cucumber strips and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. Serve and enjoy!
Video
Notes
