Colorful Asian Noodle Salad

Name: Colorful Asian Noodle Salad
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 200g rice noodles; 1 red bell pepper, julienned; 1 carrot, shredded; 1 cucumber, diced; 1 cup red cabbage, finely shredded; 1/2 cup green onion, sliced; 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped; 3 tablespoons soy sauce; 2 tablespoons rice vinegar; 1 tablespoon sesame oil; 1 tablespoon honey; 1 teaspoon grated ginger; 1 tablespoon sesame seeds

Highlighted under: Fusion Style Recipes

I absolutely love making this Colorful Asian Noodle Salad when I want a dish that's both vibrant and refreshing. It’s a perfect balance of flavors, with crunchy vegetables and a tangy dressing that brings everything together. I often prepare it ahead of time for gatherings or a light lunch, as the flavors get even better after a few hours. Trust me, once you try it, you won’t want to serve any other salad at your next get-together!

Created by

Emily

Last updated on 2026-01-13T11:59:30.743Z

Creating this Colorful Asian Noodle Salad became a family favorite after I experimented with various dressings and textures. The combination of noodles, crisp vegetables, and the homemade sesame dressing creates a delightful bite that’s hard to resist. I included fresh herbs for an aromatic touch, which elevates the dish to another level.

To ensure the noodles remain perfectly al dente, I recommend cooking them just until tender before rinsing them under cold water. This helps set the flavors and keeps the salad refreshing. Plus, feel free to mix in any leftover protein for a heartier meal!

        Why You'll Love This Salad
        Bright colors and fresh flavors that are visually appealing
Crisp veggies add great texture
Versatile recipe; easily adjustable to accommodate different ingredients

      

Noodle Preparation Tips

Cooking the rice noodles correctly is essential for achieving the right texture in this salad. You’ll want to ensure they are cooked al dente, which usually takes about 4-5 minutes in boiling water. To prevent them from becoming mushy, drain them immediately and rinse under cold water. This not only stops the cooking process but also helps remove excess starch, resulting in noodles that won't stick together and will stay firm in the salad.

If you're looking to elevate the flavor of your noodles, try soaking them in warm water before cooking. This can help soften them more evenly and give the noodles an enjoyable chewy texture. Just remember to monitor their cooking time closely, as they can quickly overcook once they hit the boiling water.

Creating the Perfect Dressing

The dressing in this salad ties all the ingredients together, so getting the right balance of flavors is key. When whisking together your soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey, grated ginger, and sesame seeds, taste and adjust the sweetness or tanginess according to your preference. If you like a bit of heat, consider adding a dash of chili oil or red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.

For meal prep, the dressing can be made a day in advance to allow the flavors to meld even further. Just store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Before serving, give it a good shake or stir to ensure everything is well combined, as some ingredients might settle at the bottom.

Variations and Serving Suggestions

This Colorful Asian Noodle Salad is incredibly versatile, allowing you to switch up the vegetables based on what’s in season or your personal preferences. Consider substituting the red cabbage with green cabbage or adding snap peas for extra crunch. If you’re looking for a protein boost, try incorporating cooked shrimp, chicken, or tofu to make it a heartier meal.

For serving, you can present this salad in individual portions for gatherings or a communal bowl for family-style meals. Garnish with extra sesame seeds and fresh herbs just before serving for a pop of freshness. If you're preparing this ahead of time, remember that the salad benefits from sitting in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to allow the dressing to penetrate the noodles and vegetables, enhancing overall flavor.

Ingredients

Gather the following ingredients for a delicious Colorful Asian Noodle Salad:

Salad Ingredients

200g rice noodles
1 red bell pepper, julienned
1 carrot, shredded
1 cucumber, diced
1 cup red cabbage, finely shredded
1/2 cup green onion, sliced
1/2 cup cilantro, chopped

Dressing Ingredients

3 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon grated ginger
1 tablespoon sesame seeds

Make sure everything is prepared before you start assembling the salad!

Instructions

Follow these steps to create your Colorful Asian Noodle Salad:

Cook the Noodles

In a pot of boiling water, cook the rice noodles according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process.

Prepare the Dressing

In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey, grated ginger, and sesame seeds until well combined.

Combine Ingredients

In a large bowl, combine the cooled noodles with the bell pepper, carrot, cucumber, red cabbage, green onion, and cilantro.

Add Dressing

Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently until all ingredients are well coated.

Serve

Transfer the salad to a serving dish and enjoy immediately, or chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to let the flavors meld.

Feel free to adjust the ingredients based on your preferences!

Pro Tips

For extra crunch, try adding crushed peanuts or cashews just before serving. If you like it spicy, a drizzle of sriracha in the dressing can elevate the flavor.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

This salad can be made ahead of time, making it a great option for meal prep. Once assembled, it can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Just keep in mind that the noodles may absorb some of the dressing, so you might need to add a bit more dressing just before serving to revive the flavors.

If you're looking to prepare the ingredients ahead of time, you can store the chopped vegetables separately in airtight containers. This not only keeps them fresh but also allows you to mix and match different ingredients throughout the week. This way, you can enjoy fresh, crunchy salads every day without the hassle of chopping each time.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If you find your salad is overly soggy, this could be due to overcooked noodles or too much dressing. Always follow the cooking time on the noodle package, and make sure to rinse them under cold water immediately after cooking. If not rinsed, residual heat will continue to cook the noodles and make them gummy.

Another common issue is the flavor balance not being quite right. If you think the dressing is too salty, try adding a splash of rice vinegar or a bit more honey to balance it out. Alternatively, if the salad is too tart, a sprinkle of sugar or more sesame oil can round out the flavors beautifully.

Scaling the Recipe

Scaling this recipe up for a larger crowd is simple, as it’s easily adjustable to serve any number of people. Just maintain the same ratio of noodles to vegetables and dressing. For larger gatherings, consider using a large mixing bowl or a food-safe container to mix everything, ensuring all ingredients are evenly coated.

Conversely, if you're cooking for one or two, you can easily halve the ingredient amounts. Just be cautious with the dressing, as it’s useful to have some extra on hand for leftover salad. Having a bit of dressing makes it easy to refresh the flavors if you store it in the fridge for a few days.

Questions About Recipes

→ Can I make this salad in advance?

Absolutely! It’s best to prepare the salad a few hours ahead of time so the flavors can meld. Just keep the dressing separate until you're ready to serve.

→ What can I add for protein?

Grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu are great options to make this salad a more filling meal.

→ Is this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, if you use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari, the salad can be made gluten-free.

→ Can I substitute the noodles?

Yes, feel free to use whole wheat noodles or any other type of noodles you prefer.