Somen Salad recipe: tasty cold Japanese noodle dish
Somen Salad Recipe: A Refreshing and Easy-to-Make Dish for SummerWe’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!
Ingredients
Somen Salad Ingredients
- 6 oz Somen Noodles
- 1 smal Cucumber julienned into thin strips
- 1 Red Bell Pepper julienned into thin strips
- 1 small Carrot peeled and julienned
- ¼ cup Fresh Cilantro or Fresh Basil chopped
- ¼ cup Scallions or spring onions, chopped
- ¼ cups Roasted Peanuts or Almonds
For the plant based easy Somen noodle Dressing
- ¼ cup Soy Sauce or Tamari sauce for gluten-free option
- ¼ cup Rice Vinegar
- 1 tbsp Sesame Oil
- 1 tbsp Sugar
- 1 tbsp Sriracha Sauce or sweet chili sauce
- 1 clove Garlic minced (or ½ tsp garlic powder)
Instructions
Cooking the 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 peppers 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.
Notes
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.