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By Chris Joe
5 from 3 votes
Feb 16, 2022, Updated Apr 01, 2024
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I’ve been loving these quick and easy 10-Minute Sesame Peanut Noodles! The creamy, savory sauce comes together super quickly and is so delicious and satisfying with your favorite noodles!
Watch the Sesame Peanut Noodles Recipe Video Below!
Table of Contents
- Watch the Sesame Peanut Noodles Recipe Video Below!
- What Kind of Noodles Should I Use?
- Ingredients for 10-Minute Sesame Peanut Noodles
- Sesame Peanut Noodles: Recipe Instructions
- Expert Tips for Sesame Peanut Noodles
- Storage
- What to Serve with Sesame Peanut Noodles
- I Love Noodles – What Else Can I Make?
- Sesame Peanut Noodles Recipe
What Kind of Noodles Should I Use?
This is the #1 question I get asked for this recipe, so I am including a photo of the exact brand that I used! The brand is called “Wu-Mu” and I got these from my local Chinese grocery (99 Ranch). They are wavy, knife cut noodles from Taiwan. I personally like using these wavy noodles because I enjoy the mouth-feel and how they pick up a lot of the sauce.
If you can’t find these, I’ve seen these type of noodles by many brands – I’ve even seen something similar at Trader Joe’s! You can also substitute with another noodle of your choice. The star of this dish is the sauce!
Liquid Seasonings
- 3tbspsesame paste: I like to use Chinese sesame paste, which is something I always have in my pantry. Chinese sesame paste is made from toasted sesame seeds, so I find that it has a deeper flavor than tahini or peanut butter.
- You can substitute with a natural creamy peanut butter (try to avoid any with sugar and do not use the chunky kind!)
- If you would rather use tahini, I would add a little bit of sesame oil for flavor.
- 1tbspChinese black vinegar: I use Chinkiang vinegar, which is fragrant, slightly sweet, and the right amount of sour. As you explore my blog and check out some of my other recipes, you’ll see that I use this ingredient A LOT. If you are interested in cooking a lot of Chinese recipes at home, I would recommend you buy a bottle to add as a pantry staple.
- 2tbsplight soy sauce – this is “light” or “all-purpose” soy sauce; do not use dark soy sauce, as it is too thick and sweet for this recipe!
- 1/4cupnoodle cooking water– after cooking your noodles, reserve at least 1/4 cup of the water. 1/4 cup of the water will be used to make the sauce.
- Note – the sauce tends to thicken quickly, so I recommend you reserve more than 1/4 cup, as you may want to use this water to loosen your sauce to your liking.
- chili oil (optional garnish): I like to use my homemade chili oil! I get asked all the time what brand of chili oil is my favorite and I always say – my own! Making your own chili oil ensures that you can control for the quality of the ingredients, as well as customize to your liking. If you’re interested to making chili oil at home, definitely give my recipe a try!
NOTE – If you’re looking for a spicier version of this dish, try my Spicy Peanut Noodles!
Sesame Peanut Noodles: Recipe Instructions
1. Mix the sauce
You’re going to love how simple the recipe for Sesame Peanut Noodles is!
Take a bowl that you will be serving your noodles in. In it, mix together sesame paste, sesame seeds, Chinese black vinegar,light soy sauce, sugar, garlic, optional msg, and optional chili oil. Mix until combined and the sauce is smooth. Set aside.
2. Cook Noodles and Assemble
Cook the noodles of your choice according to the instructions on the package or to your desired doneness (for example – my wife prefers her noodles very al dente, so she is always cooking hers 2 minutes less than the instructions).
In the bowl with the Sesame Peanut Noodles sauce mixture (which you will be serving your noodles), add 1/4 cup of the cooking water – mix, and then add the cooked noodles. Combine the noodles, sauce, and noodle water until the sauce is well incorporated with the noodles. If you find the sauce is too thick, add in a little bit of the reserved noodle water to loosen. The sauce will thicken as it sits, so if you ever need to loosen it, just add a touch more cooking water.
3. Garnish with Toppings
Once the Sesame Peanut Noodles have been mixed to your liking, top with your optional garnishes (scallions, crushed peanuts, and drizzle of chili oil), and enjoy!
PRO TIPS
Expert Tips for Sesame Peanut Noodles
Noodle Tips
- I like to use wavy, knife cut noodles – I get them from my local Chinese grocery (99 Ranch) and the brand is called “Wu-Mu”. I like these because of the mouth-feel and how the wavy bits pick up more sauce.
- If you can’t find this exact brand, don’t worry – I’ve noticed wavy noodles by many other company, including at Trader Joe’s!
- You can use any noodle of your preference – the star of the dish is the savory, nutty sauce!
Reserve Noodle Cooking Water: Reserve at least 1/4 cup of the water you cooked your noodles in.
- 1/4 cup of the water will be used to make the sauce for your Sesame Peanut Noodles.
- The sauce tends to thicken quickly, so I recommend you reserve more than 1/4 cup, as you may want to use this water to loosen your sauce to your liking.
Serve Immediately!
The Sesame Peanut Noodles sauce will continue to thicken as it sits after being mixed with the noodles, so I recommend serving and enjoying this dish immediately after making it.
If you need to make ahead or for some reason, the dishes sit for too long, you can use some of the reserved noodle water to loosen up the noodles. If the reserved noodle water has cooled, make sure to warm it up before loosing the noodle
Storage
As a warning, these noodles will not keep well – the sauce will continue to thicken and they’ll grow stuck to each other. They’ll still taste delicious but the noodles will not be the same. If you do have leftovers, you can store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
What to Serve with Sesame Peanut Noodles
These noodles are spicy and nutty and go well with bright, light vegetable side dishes – I would make them with my Chinese Smashed Cucumber Salad, Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad, and Din Tai Fung Green Beans.
If you want to pair them with a heartier appetizer, I would eat them with my Grandma’s Pork and Shrimp Wontons – these are the best wontons in the world, in my opinion!
I Love Noodles – What Else Can I Make?
Do you love noodles? I do, too! If you like this recipe and want something similar but cool, try my Cold Sesame Noodles – they’re perfect for the summer! If you are looking for similar mouth-numbing Szechuan flavors but heartier, try my Dan Dan Noodles. Looking for another 10 minute noodle dish? Make my Spicy Garlic Ramen!
Please consider giving a rating and commenting down below what you thought of the recipe! It really helps out the blog!
5 from 3 votes
Sesame Peanut Noodles
By: Chris Joe
Servings: 2
Prep: 5 minutes mins
Cook: 5 minutes mins
These 10 minute Sesame Peanut Noodles are a quick and easy meal that you can make with simple pantry staples!
Ingredients
- 6 oz noodles
- 3 tbsp sesame paste
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- 1 tbsp Chinese black vinegar
- 2 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1/2 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 tbsp chili oil, optional
- 2 cloves garlic, grated
- 1/4 tsp msg, optional
- 2 scallions, chopped, optional garnish
- 1/2 cup noodle cooking water
- 2 tbsp crushed peanuts, optional garnish
- chili oil, to taste, optional garnish
US Customary – Metric
Instructions
In a bowl, combine peanut butter or sesame paste along with sesame seeds, Chinese black vinegar, light soy sauce, sugar, grated garlic, msg, chili oil. Mix until combined and the sauce is smooth.
Cook noodles according to package directions or desired doneness. Mix in 1/4 cup of the cooking water to the sauce mixture to create your sauce, then add the drained noodles and mix.
Top with crushed peanuts, scallions, and chili oil and enjoy!
Notes
KEY TIPS:
Noodle Tips: I like to use wavy, knife cut noodles – I get them from my local Chinese grocery (99 Ranch) and the brand is called “Wu-Mu”. I like these because of the mouth-feel and how the wavy bits pick up more sauce. If you can’t find this exact brand, don’t worry – I’ve noticed wavy noodles by many other company, including at Trader Joe’s! You can use any noodle of your preference – the star of the dish is the savory, nutty sauce!
Reserve Noodle Cooking Water: Reserve at least 1/4 cup of the water you cooked your noodles in.
- 1/4 cup of the water will be used to make the sauce for your Sesame Peanut Noodles.
- The sauce tends to thicken quickly, so I recommend you reserve more than 1/4 cup, as you may want to use this water to loosen your sauce to your liking.
Serve Immediately: The Sesame Peanut Noodles sauce will continue to thicken as it sits after being mixed with the noodles, so I recommend serving and enjoying this dish immediately after making it.
If you need to make ahead or for some reason, the dishes sit for too long, you can use some of the reserved noodle water
Storage: As a warning, these noodles will not keep well – the sauce will continue to thicken and they’ll grow stuck to each other. They’ll still taste delicious but the noodles will not be the same. If you do have leftovers, you can store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
Nutrition
Calories: 1067kcalCarbohydrates: 150gProtein: 36gFat: 38gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 14gMonounsaturated Fat: 16gSodium: 743mgPotassium: 790mgFiber: 10gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 271IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 213mgIron: 7mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Chinese
Tried this recipe?Mention @cj.eats_ or tag #cjeatsrecipes!
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6 Comments
So tasty! Made it for a house party and everyone loved it. Thanks for the easy & yummy recipe!Reply
Thank you Farah!
Reply
This recipe is so tasty and so easy. I used PB and it was great!Reply
This recipe is so tasty and so easy. I subbed PB for Tahini and it also worked. Both are greatReply
How much peanut butter? It’s not listed in your ingredients list.
Reply
Hi Ada – you can do a direct substitute for sesame paste (3 tbsp). I hope you enjoy!
Reply
