Somen Salad recipe: tasty cold Japanese noodle bowl

Somen Salad Recipe: A Refreshing and Easy-to-Make Dish for Summer

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Somen Noodle Salad recipe – Looking for a light and refreshing meal to enjoy during the warmer months? Look no further than a delicious Somen salad recipe. We’re talking fork-twirly noodles with just the right amount of stick to hang onto a delicious sticky/spicy and so-easy-to-make sauce. Add fresh crispy vegetables with the silky smooth, lusciously creamy vegan dressing and you know you’re in for a healthy plant based treat!

This Japanese dish features thin noodles made from wheat flour, which are typically served cold and paired with a variety of fresh vegetables and a flavorful dressing. 

Somen noodle salad has a delicate and refreshing taste. The delicious twirly noodles are thin and light, and they’re usually served chilled. They’re then topped with a variety of vegetables, such as cucumbers, carrots, and lettuce, and sometimes protein. The dressing is usually a mix of soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and honey, which gives it a sweet and tangy flavor. The combination of the fresh ingredients and the dressing makes it a perfect summer dish.

To start, you’ll need to cook your Somen noodles according to the package instructions and then rinse them with cold water to stop the cooking process. From there, you can customize your salad with your favorite veggies, such as cucumbers, carrots, and bell peppers. Top it off with a dressing made from soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and honey for a perfectly balanced flavor profile.

Whether you’re looking for a light lunch or a refreshing side dish to serve at your next barbecue, a Somen salad is a great choice. Not only is it easy to make, but it’s also packed with nutrients and bursting with flavor. So why not give it a try and see for yourself?

How to serve the best Somen Salad

Somen Salad is traditionally served as a cold noodle dish in Japanese cuisine. The dish usually consists of thin, white somen noodles made from wheat flour, which are boiled and then chilled in ice water. The noodles are then topped with a variety of vegetables, such as cucumber, carrot, and daikon radish, as well as other ingredients like chicken, shrimp, or egg. The dish is often served with a dipping sauce made from soy sauce, mirin, and dashi broth, and is a refreshing and light meal perfect for hot summer days.

What’s great about Sōmen Salad

One of the best things about Somen Salad is how light and refreshing it is. It’s perfect for a hot summer day. The chilled somen noodles paired with fresh vegetables and protein make for a dish that is both satisfying and healthy. It’s one of the best easy cold noodle dishes featuring big flavors created from basic ingredients and oodles of noodles. Plus, with the variety of toppings and dipping sauces you can use, it’s easy to customize the dish to your own liking. Whether you prefer a tangy or savory flavor, there’s always an option to suit your taste buds. Overall, Somen Salad is a perfect meal if you’re looking for a light and delicious dish that’s easy to make, satisfying, and perfect for warm weather days.

Somen Noodle Salad Ingredients

For the vegan Somen Salad

To make a delicious Somen salad, you will need the following ingredients:

• 6 oz. Somen noodles
• 1 small cucumber, julienned into thin strips
• 1 small carrot, peeled and julienned
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• 1/4 cup chopped scallions
• 1/4 cup roasted peanuts
• 1 Bell pepper, sliced into thin strips

For the plant based easy Somen noodle Dressing

The dressing is what ties all the ingredients together and makes this salad so flavorful. Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1/4 cup soy sauce, or Tamari sauce for gluten-free option 
• 1/4 cup rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp. sugar
• 1 tbsp. sesame oil
• 1 tbsp. sriracha
• 1 clove garlic, minced

To make the dressing, simply whisk all the ingredients together in a bowl until well combined. Or pour all the dressing ingredients into a jar, close the lid and shake to combine. It’s as simple as that!

That’s it! With just a few simple ingredients, you can make a delicious Somen salad that’s perfect for a light lunch or dinner.

Preparation – How to make Cold Japanese Noodle Salad

Cooking the Somen Noodles

To begin, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the somen noodles and cook for approximately 3 minutes or until they are tender but still firm. Drain the noodles and rinse them under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.

Preparing the Salad Ingredients

While the noodles are cooking, prepare the salad ingredients. Cut the cucumber and carrot into thin matchsticks. Slice the bell pepper into thin pieces. Finely chop the cilantro and green onions. Set aside.

Mixing the Somen Salad Dressing

In a small bowl, whisk together the rice vinegar, soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, and chili paste until well combined. Set aside.

Assembling the Salad

In a large bowl, combine the cooked somen noodles, cucumber, carrot, avocado, mango, cilantro, and green onions. Pour the dressing over the top and toss gently to combine. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.

That’s it! Your refreshing and delicious somen salad is now ready to enjoy.

Tips and Variations

Adding Protein to noodle salads

To make this Somen salad more filling, you can add some protein to it. Grilled tofu chicken, vegan shrimp, regular fried tofu or tempeh, or even hard-boiled eggs are great options. Simply cook the protein of your choice separately and then add it to the salad before serving. You can also marinate the protein in a dressing that complements the flavors of the salad.

Substituting Ingredients

If you don’t have all the ingredients listed in the recipe, don’t worry! This salad is very versatile and you can substitute some of the ingredients with others that you have on hand. For example, you can use soba noodles instead of somen noodles, or cucumber instead of carrot. You can also add other vegetables such as red bell peppers, radishes, or edamame. Be creative and experiment with different flavor combinations!

Adjusting the Dressing

The dressing is what brings all the flavors together in this salad, so it’s important to get it right. However, you can adjust the dressing to suit your taste preferences. If you like your dressing to be more tangy, add more vinegar or lime juice. If you prefer it to be sweeter, add more honey or sugar. You can also adjust the amount of oil to make it lighter or richer. Remember to taste the dressing as you go and adjust it accordingly.

Overall, this Somen salad recipe is very customizable and can be adapted to your liking. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different ingredients and flavors to make it your own. With these tips and variations, you can create a delicious and satisfying salad that you’ll love.

What are Somen Noodles

Somen noodles are a type of Japanese noodles made from wheat flour. They are very thin and usually served cold, often with a dipping sauce. Somen noodles are a popular summertime dish in Japan, as they are refreshing and cooling on hot days. They are also low in fat and calories, making them a healthy choice. Somen noodles can be enjoyed on their own or with a variety of toppings, such as sliced cucumber, shredded fried vegetables, or boiled egg.

How to serve Sōmen noodles

To serve Somen salad, you’ll want to start by cooking the somen noodles according to the package directions. Then, drain and rinse the noodles under cold running water to cool them down. In a large bowl, mix together the noodles and your desired somen salad toppings, such as sliced cucumbers, carrots, and vegan tofu chicken, imitation crab, or mushrooms. You can also add some fresh herbs, like cilantro or mint, for an extra burst of flavor.

For the dipping sauce, you can mix together some soy sauce, mirin, and dashi broth to taste. Alternatively, you can use a pre-made dipping sauce or vinaigrette of your choice.

Once you have your noodles and toppings mixed together and your dipping sauce ready, you can serve the Somen salad in individual bowls or on a large platter for everyone to share. You can also add some garnish, like sliced green onions or sesame seeds, for an extra pop of color and flavor. And that’s it! Your Somen salad is ready to be enjoyed.

How to add vegan protein to noodles

There are many ways to add vegan protein to noodles. Here are a few suggestions:

1. Tofu – Firm or extra-firm tofu is a healthy and versatile source of protein. You can cube it, sauté it, and add it to your noodle dish as a substitute for chicken or shrimp.

2. Tempeh – Made from fermented soybeans, tempeh is another great source of vegan protein. You can slice it, marinate it, and pan-fry it to add a nice texture to your noodles.

3. Edamame – These are green soybeans that can be boiled or steamed and added to your noodle dish for a pop of protein.

4. Chickpeas – These legumes can add a nutty flavor and creamy texture to your noodles. You can roast them in the oven with some spices for added flavor.

5. Seitan – Made from wheat gluten, seitan is a high-protein vegan meat substitute that can be sliced and added to stir-fries or noodle dishes.

6. Lentils – Lentils are a great source of protein and fiber. You can cook them and add them to your noodle dish for added texture and nutrition.

Side dishes to serve with Japanese noodle salad

Somen noodles are very versatile, so there are many sides that can complement them nicely. Here are a few suggestions:

1. Edamame – boiled or steamed soybeans in the pod, sprinkled with sea salt.

2. Miso soup – a traditional Japanese soup made with miso paste, tofu, and seaweed.

3. Grilled vegetables – like zucchini, eggplant, or bell peppers, seasoned with garlic, salt, and pepper.

4. Gyoza – Japanese dumplings usually filled with meat and vegetables, then pan-fried.

5. Wakame salad – a refreshing seaweed salad that is a great source of nutrients and vitamins.

6. Tempura – battered and deep-fried vegetables or seafood.

7. Rice – steamed white rice, brown rice, or sushi rice would make a perfect side dish for Somen Salad.

How to jazz up the flavors of Somen salad

There are a lot of delicious ways to add flavor to a Somen salad! Here are a few ideas to try:

1. Dress it up: Place noodles in a large dish or bowl and add 1-2 tablespoons soy sauce and a garnish of ground sesame seeds for some extra crunch.

2. Add some heat: Try adding sliced jalapeños or red pepper flakes to your salad for a little kick.

3. Use a flavorful dressing: Try making a miso or sesame dressing to drizzle over your salad.

4. Add some crunch: Try adding sliced almonds, crushed peanuts, or crispy fried onions to your salad for some texture.

5. Freshen it up: Add chopped herbs like mint, cilantro, or basil to add a fresh, herbaceous flavor to your salad.

6. Sweeten it up: Add some fresh fruit, like mandarin oranges or sliced strawberries, to your salad for a sweet and tangy twist.

More delicious noodle recipes your whole family will love

• Easy Vegan Instant Ramen Noodles upgrade recipe
• Savory Tahini noodles 
• 3 ingredients noodles with apples and onions 
• Lemon noodles with artichokes 
• Broccoli ramen noodles 
• 15 minutes Lo mein noodles 

What gluten free noodles can I use instead of Somen noodles?

You can use some alternative gluten-free noodles instead of Somen noodles. Here are a few options you can consider:

1. Rice noodles: Rice noodles are a popular gluten-free alternative to Somen noodles. They are light and delicate, just like Somen noodles, and can be used in cold salads or stir-fries.

2. Buckwheat noodles: Buckwheat noodles, also known as soba noodles, are another popular gluten-free option. They have a nutty flavor and are slightly thicker than Somen noodles.

3. Bean thread noodles: Bean thread noodles, also known as glass noodles or cellophane noodles, are made from mung bean starch and are a great gluten-free option. They are translucent and can be used in soups, stir-fries, and salads.

4. Zucchini noodles: Zucchini noodles, also known as zoodles, are a great low-carb and gluten-free alternative to Somen noodles. You can make them using a spiralizer or a vegetable peeler and use them in cold salads or stir-fries.

FAQs about Somen noodles

Substitutions and more

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