Simple Sesame Noodle Salad (Funchoza) Recipe - Simply Home Cooked (2024)

Published: by Dina

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Sesame Noodle Salad is a simple refreshing dish chock full of vegetables and rich flavor. Ready in minutes, this bright dish is a perfect side to any meal.

For a more traditional pasta salad, check out our Tri-Color Pasta Salad Recipe or Chicken Salad With Grapes.

Simple Sesame Noodle Salad (Funchoza) Recipe - Simply Home Cooked (1)
Table Of Contents
  • Recipe Details
  • What You’ll Need
  • Ingredient Notes
  • Add-ins and Substitutions
  • How to Make Sesame Noodle Salad
  • Recipe Tips
  • FAQs
  • Serving Suggestions
  • Make This Recipe in Advance
  • More Yummy Asian Dishes!
  • Full Recipe Instructions

Recipe Details

I love making this Sesame Noodle Salad because of its delicious flavor. It’s one of those salads that you just can’t get enough of. Give it a try for your next summer party or holiday gathering.

  • TASTE: This salad is tangy and sweet. And the soy sauce and garlic give it a bold flavor that makes it slightly addicting.
  • TEXTURE: The rice noodles are very tender, which complements the crisp and crunchy vegetables nicely.
  • TIME: It only takes 25 minutes to make.
  • EASE: This is an easy recipe that requires little prep work. It’s also great for making ahead, as the flavors intensify the next day.

What You’ll Need

Simple Sesame Noodle Salad (Funchoza) Recipe - Simply Home Cooked (2)

Ingredient Notes

  • Rice Noodles– These thin noodles are gluten-free and perfect for this salad. They have a nice chewy texture.
  • Vegetables– We’ll use Yellow Bell Pepper, Red Bell Pepper, Carrots, and Garlic Clove for added flavor and texture.
  • Soy Sauce- This adds umami flavor. You can use regular or low-sodium.
  • Peanut Oil– Or any other high heat oil can be used.
  • Sugar- This added sweetness balances with the salty and tangy flavors from the other dressing ingredients.

Add-ins and Substitutions

  • Substitute other noodles- In place of the rice noodles, you can substitute angel hair pasta or thin spaghetti for a similar size and texture. For thicker noodles, try udon.
  • Make it gluten-free- The noodles are already gluten-free, so just use tamari sauce in place of the soy sauce to make the salad without gluten.
  • Add other vegetables- Make this recipe with snow peas, bean sprouts, cabbage, cucumber, or edamame.
  • Substitute the sugar- To avoid refined sugar, substitute it with honey to add natural sweetness.

How to Make Sesame Noodle Salad

  • Prep the vegetables. Cut the carrot and bell peppers into julienned slices.
  • Soak the noodles. Submerge the rice noodles in a bowl of boiling water. Let it sit for 5-6 minutes. Remove and strain the water out.

Pro Tip:Use a sieve to drain these rice noodles as their thinness makes it easier for them to slide out the holes of some colanders.

Simple Sesame Noodle Salad (Funchoza) Recipe - Simply Home Cooked (3)
  • Combine the sauces. In a separate bowl, combine the sugar, vinegar, and soy sauce. Then begin to warm up the sesame and peanut oil in a pan.
Simple Sesame Noodle Salad (Funchoza) Recipe - Simply Home Cooked (4)
  • Heat the oil. In a large bowl, add the bell peppers, carrot, and grated garlic. Then in a skillet, heat the oils over high heat until they begin to smoke.
  • Add the oil to the veggies. Pour the hot oil over the cut vegetables and quickly toss everything with tongs.
  • Combine and chill. Add the soy sauce mixture and rice noodles to the bowl and toss to combine. Serve chilled.
Simple Sesame Noodle Salad (Funchoza) Recipe - Simply Home Cooked (5)

Recipe Tips

  • Use a high smoke point oil- Use an oil with a high smoke point, such as peanut, canola, or avocado, so that it can reach a high enough temperature before smoking.
  • Toss the oil and veggies with tongs- The oil is very hot so tongs are best for mixing it with vegetables. They do a thorough job while keeping your hands a safe distance away.
  • Chill- This Sesame Noodle Salad tastes best cold, so place it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.
  • Make it ahead- This salad tastes best the next day. Letting it sit in the refrigerator overnight helps the dressing soak into the vegetables better.

FAQs

How long will sesame noodles last in the fridge?

These sesame noodles are made with rice noodles, which can last in the fridge for up to 4 days. The vegetables will get softer as they sit and absorb the dressing, so the texture changes over time.

What dressing do you use for cold sesame noodle salad?

This Sesame Noodle Salad uses a tangy, umami dressing made with soy sauce, sugar, and rice vinegar. The sesame oil and garlic in the salad also add to its flavor.

Is funchoza gluten free?

This funchoza uses rice noodles, which are gluten-free. With gluten-free soy sauce or tamari sauce, it is completely gluten-free.

Serving Suggestions

Fresh salads loaded with vegetables and pasta make a perfect side dish to any meal. This Sesame Noodle Salad goes great with meats, sushi, seafood, and other salads.

  • Meats: Pair this cool salad with some Barbecue Pork Ribs, Smoked Chicken Thighs, Braised Beef Short Ribs (VIDEO), or Breaded Chicken Skewers.
  • Salads: Serve it alongside other salads at a party, like this Shredded Carrot Salad, Cabbage Cucumber Salad, Kani Salad, or Asian Chicken Salad.
  • Sushi: Serve this salad with your favorite rolls, like this Salmon Skin Roll, Dynamite Roll, Shrimp Tempura Roll, or Spicy Salmon Roll.
  • Seafood: Enjoy this Sesame Noodle Salad with Panko Crusted Salmon, Pan Fried Cod with Sautéed Vegetables, Crab Stuffed Mushrooms, or Cedar Plank Salmon.

Make This Recipe in Advance

Make ahead: Prepare this salad ahead of time and cover it. Keep it in the fridge for a day before serving to help intensify the flavors.

Storing: Store this Sesame Noodle Salad in an airtight container or in a bowl covered with plastic wrap for up to 4 days.

Freeze: I don’t suggest freezing this salad as it would thaw soft and mushy.

More Yummy Asian Dishes!

  • Chicken Chow Mein
  • Panda Express Mushroom Chicken (copycat)
  • Shredded Carrot Salad
  • Roasted Eggplant Salad

Love this recipe? Please leave a 5 star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card below ⬇️ and/or a review in the comment section further down.

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This recipe was originally posted December 29, 2016, we’ve tweaked it a bit since then. This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Full Recipe Instructions

Simple Sesame Noodle Salad (Funchoza) Recipe - Simply Home Cooked (10)

Sesame Noodle Salad (Funchoza)

Rice Noodle Salad is a simple refreshing dish chock full of vegetables and rich flavor. Ready in minutes, this bright dish is a perfect side to any meal.

5 from 1 vote

Print Pin Rate

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Asian

Prep Time: 25 minutes minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 8

Calories: 314kcal

Author: Dina

Ingredients

  • 1 6 oz package rice noodles
  • 1 yellow bell pepper
  • 1 red bell pepper
  • 2 large carrots
  • 1 large garlic clove grated
  • 3/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1/2 cup peanut oil
  • 1/2 tsp sesame oil
  • 4 tsp rice vinegar
  • 3 tsp sugar

Instructions

  • Cut the carrot and bell peppers into julienned slices.

  • Submerge the rice noodles in a bowl of boiling water. Let it sit for 5-6 minutes. Remove and strain the water out.

    Simple Sesame Noodle Salad (Funchoza) Recipe - Simply Home Cooked (11)

  • In a separate bowl, combine sugar, vinegar, and soy sauce. Mix to combine. Then begin to warm up the sesame oil in a pan.

    Simple Sesame Noodle Salad (Funchoza) Recipe - Simply Home Cooked (12)

  • In a large bowl, add the bell peppers, carrot, and grated garlic.

  • In a skillet heat the sesame and peanut oil over high heat until the oil begins to smoke.

  • Pour the hot oil over the cut vegetables. Quickly toss with tongs.

  • Add the soy sauce mixture and rice noodles to the bowl and toss to combine. Serve chilled.

    Simple Sesame Noodle Salad (Funchoza) Recipe - Simply Home Cooked (13)

Notes

This salad tastes best the next day. Letting it sit in the refrigerator over night helps the dressing soak into the vegetables better.

Nutrition

Calories: 314kcal | Carbohydrates: 42.8g | Protein: 3.4g | Fat: 14.1g | Saturated Fat: 2.4g | Sodium: 1437mg | Fiber: 1.7g | Sugar: 4.2g

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Hi, I’m Dina, so glad you stopped by! I believe life is too short for bad coffee and boring meals. With my easy to follow step-by-step recipes, you’ll be surprised at how quickly a wholesome and delicious meal can come together. I hope you find something you enjoy!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

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  1. Anna says

    This looks delicious! Can the sesame oil be omitted form this recipe?

    Reply

    • simplyhomecooked says

      Thank you Anna! You can omit the sesame oil but it won’t taste the same.

      Reply

  2. Valentina says

    Simple Sesame Noodle Salad (Funchoza) Recipe - Simply Home Cooked (16)
    Had some mini bell peppers I needed to use up so I decided to make this. It is amazing. Had to stop myself from eating it!

    Reply

    • simplyhomecooked says

      Valentina that’s so awesome to hear! Thank you for taking the time to write such a kind review!

      Reply

Simple Sesame Noodle Salad (Funchoza) Recipe - Simply Home Cooked (2024)

FAQs

What is noodle salad made of? ›

This cold noodle salad is made with ramen noodles, carrots, green onions, bell pepper, peanuts and a creamy peanut-y dressing that has a perfect balance of sesame oil and lime to it as well. I could slurp up the dressing with a straw if it was a normal thing to do!

Are rice noodles gluten free? ›

1. Rice Noodles. Yes, most rice noodles are gluten-free because they contain rice flour and water, although as always, please check the ingredients, just in case. You will find it in most supermarkets as they are traditional in Asian recipes.

What are the five mistakes to avoid pasta salad? ›

5 Mistakes to Avoid When Making Pasta Salad
  • Using the wrong pasta. The wrong pasta type or size can make pasta salad soggy, slimy, or just plain hard to eat. ...
  • Salting only once, at the end. ...
  • Too many raw ingredients! ...
  • Overdressing or underdressing the salad. ...
  • Not seasoning again just before serving.

What is the key ingredient in noodles? ›

The main ingredient of noodles is typically wheat flour. Noodles are made by mixing wheat flour with water and sometimes other ingredients to create a dough, which is then rolled out, shaped, and cut into various forms. Other types of noodles can be made from rice flour, buckwheat flour, or mung bean starch.

Are rice noodles healthier than pasta? ›

Not just vitamin-enriched but even plain pasta has a lot more B-complex vitamins like riboflavin, thiamin, niacin, and folate than rice noodles. However, compared to regular pasta, rice noodles do have one advantage. It's their gluten-free composition.

Which is healthier Chinese noodles or rice? ›

Steamed or boiled rice is healthier for many reasons, not least because noodles tend to be cooked in sauce. Fried rice will also often contain soy sauce or other flavour enhancers, so treat with caution.

Are rice noodles healthier than regular noodles? ›

Rice noodles are generally lower in protein, fiber, sodium, selenium, and niacin than wheat-based noodles. They have a similar number of carbs. Notably, rice noodles have fewer calories and significantly less fat than wheat noodles.

Can you just boil rice noodles? ›

Unlike wheat pasta, you don't need to boil rice noodles; the warm water is enough to cook them through. Once they are soft, you can drain them and add them to your stir-fry, soup, or another dish. Be sure to cook them thoroughly before eating, as uncooked rice noodles can be a bit chewy.

Should you rinse rice noodles? ›

Why do you have to soak rice noodles in cold water? Rinsing the noodles under cold running water after soaking will ensure that the cooking process stops. Rinsing also removes excess starch which causes them to stick together.

What is pasta salad dressing made of? ›

Pasta Salad Dressing

Dried herbs, garlic, vinegar, olive oil, a touch of sugar, pinch of red pepper and the secret ingredient – parmesan cheese.

What are cold noodles made of? ›

Cold noodles are dishes typically made out of noodles, soy sauce, cucumber, and various other ingredients. They are commonly served at room temperature with a dipping sauce on the side. The methods and ingredients used to make cold noodles vary from country to country.

Does pasta salad contain mayo? ›

In addition to the mayonnaise and sour cream, we use these ingredients: Yellow mustard adds a bit of color and rounds out the flavor of the dressing nicely. We usually use Dijon mustard in our recipes, but just like when making our potato salad, we prefer regular yellow mustard for the best pasta salad.

What is the main ingredient of bound salad? ›

Bound salad: ingredients such as meat, poultry, fish, egg, or starch such as potato, pasta, or rice and bound with mayo. Vegetable salad: cooked and/or raw vegetables (coleslaw); can be bound with mayo or mixed with vinegar/oil dressing.

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