Chilled Noodle Lunch Cups (Printer View)

Cold soba noodles with sesame, soy, cucumber, and chili create a fresh, vibrant lunch option.

# Components:

→ Noodles

01 - 7 oz dried soba noodles (or rice noodles)

→ Sauce

02 - 3 tbsp soy sauce (low sodium if preferred)
03 - 2 tbsp toasted sesame oil
04 - 1 tbsp rice vinegar
05 - 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
06 - 1–2 tsp chili garlic sauce, adjusted to taste

→ Vegetables & Garnishes

07 - 1 cup julienned cucumber
08 - 2 medium carrots, julienned
09 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced
10 - 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
11 - 1 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)

# Method steps:

01 - Boil noodles according to package instructions. Drain and rinse thoroughly under cold water until completely chilled. Drain well.
02 - Whisk together soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, rice vinegar, honey or maple syrup, and chili garlic sauce in a small bowl.
03 - Divide the chilled noodles evenly among four containers.
04 - Top noodles with julienned cucumber, carrots, and sliced green onions.
05 - Drizzle sauce evenly over each portion and toss gently to combine.
06 - Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and chopped cilantro on top if desired. Seal containers and refrigerate until ready to eat.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's ready to eat straight from the fridge—no reheating, no excuses, just grab and go.
  • The combination of chewy noodles, cool crunch, and that toasted sesame flavor hits different when you're actually hungry.
  • Four servings means one batch carries you through half the week with zero morning decisions.
02 -
  • Don't rinse the noodles too early—they'll dry out and stick together if they sit uncovered in the fridge for hours.
  • Keep the sauce separate from the vegetables if you're making these more than a day ahead; the raw vegetables will start to weep, and the whole thing gets watery.
  • The first container tastes different from the fourth, so mix things around if you're keeping them beyond day two.
03 -
  • Toast your own sesame seeds in a dry pan for thirty seconds if you have time—the flavor deepens and makes the whole thing taste more intentional.
  • The sauce should taste slightly too strong on its own, because the bland noodles will balance it out over time.
Return