Chilled soba noodles are so satisfying yet light that I often turn to them. This Chilled Soba Noodles with Lemon-Ginger Dressing recipe serves as a launch pad, as it’s the basis from which we create all sorts of soba variations.
This Chilled Soba Noodles recipe is our go-to when we want something light, refreshing, and packed with flavor. It’s inspired by summer days in Japan, where cold noodle dishes are a seasonal staple, and every bite feels like a cool breeze.
Why You’ll Love This Chilled Soba Noodles Recipe
Chilled Soba Noodles are the perfect blend of healthy and satisfying. With juicy shrimp, crisp vegetables, and a zippy lemon ginger dressing, it’s a full meal that feels light but delivers on flavor. Plus, it’s just as good for lunch al fresco as it is packed for a beach picnic.
Recipe Ingredients
To make Chilled Soba Noodles, you’ll need ingredients that bring freshness and flavor:
- Soba noodles for their nutty flavor and quick cooking time
- Shrimp for protein and sweetness that pairs well with citrus
- Snow peas, bell pepper, cucumber, and scallions for crunch and color
- A zesty lemon ginger dressing that adds punch with soy, wasabi, and sesame oil
- Sesame seeds for a toasty, nutty garnish
How to Make This Recipe
Start by cooking the soba noodles; then, use the same pot to blanch the shrimp and quickly flash-cook the snow peas. Chill everything in an ice bath to lock in texture. Meanwhile, blend up the lemon ginger dressing. Finally, toss the noodles, shrimp, and veggies in the dressing, and top with scallions and sesame seeds.
If you don’t have wasabi on hand, we leave it out and adjust the other flavors accordingly. If there’s a ton of watercress, it gets swirled in with the noodles. And during the winter months, we’ll throw roasted diced squash with some tofu; so, rifle through your pantry and make this your own — no matter what, it’ll be pretty easy and plenty tasty.
What to Serve With This
Chilled Soba Noodles pair well with chilled green tea, sparkling sake, or a crisp white wine like Albariño. For a more substantial meal, serve it alongside a Japanese-style omelet, tempura, or miso-marinated eggplant. However you enjoy it, this is the kind of dish that makes you want to linger longer at the table.
More Japanese Inspired Recipes
Want more Asian flavors in your kitchen? Try these crowd favorite recipes:
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Chilled Soba Noodles with Lemon Ginger Dressing Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
For The Soba:
- 8 ounces dried soba noodles
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 pound (about 24) peeled and deveined shrimp
- 6 ounces snow peas cut on the bias into 1-inch pieces
For The Lemon Ginger Dressing:
- 1/4 cup seasoned rice wine vinegar
- 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon unrefined cane sugar
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 3 tablespoons canola, grapeseed, or coconut oil
- 2 teaspoons Prepared wasabi
- 2-inch piece fresh ginger peeled and grated
For Serving:
- 1 medium red, orange, or yellow bell pepper trimmed, seeded, and cut into thin strips
- 2 medium Persian cucumbers trimmed, halved lengthwise and sliced paper thin
- 1 bunch green onions (aka scallions) trimmed and thinly sliced (about 1 cup)
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Cook The Soba: Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Fill a bowl halfway with ice water and set aside. When water boils, add soba and cook 2 minutes less than directed on the package.
- Cook The Shrimp And Peas: Stir in the salt and the shrimp and cook until bright pink and firm, about 3 minutes. Place snow peas in a colander then drain shrimp and noodles over the snow peas (the residual heat from cooking will flash cook the snow peas) and let sit 1 minute. Drain and place noodles, shrimp, and snow peas in a bowl of ice water and let cool completely. While the noodles cool, make the dressing.
- Make The Lemon Ginger Dressing: Place everything except the oils, wasabi, and ginger in a blender or small food processor. Process and, with the motor running, drizzle in the oils. Whisk in the ginger and wasabi, taste, and add more soy or sugar, as desired.
- Assemble: Drain the noodles, shrimp, and snow peas then add to a large bowl with the bell pepper and cucumber. Add the dressing and toss to coat. Top with green onions and sesame seeds and serve immediately.
