This popular Taiwanese cold noodle dish is pure comfort food to me! On hot summer days, my grandma would make this cool & refreshing dish for my brother and I when we were growing up. Cold noodles are tossed in a nutty, umami-packed, sweet, and tangy sesame sauce, and mixed with some shredded chicken and sliced cucumbers. It’s topped with crushed sesame seeds, a hint of chili peppercorn oil, garlic water, and some scallions. A humble dish that packs a huge punch.
Recipe (serves 4):
Prep toppings: With a mortar & pestle, coarsely grind 2-3 tbsp roasted sesame seeds and set aside in a small bowl. Julienne 1 cucumber. Thinly slice 1 stalk of green onion on the bias. Finally, in a pot of seasoned boiling water, simmer chicken thighs for about 10-15 minutes (or until internal temp reaches 165°F). Remove from heat and rest to cool. Using two forks or your fingers, shred the chicken meat.
Garlic Water (optional topping): Mince 4-5 cloves of garlic and add about 2 tbsp water. Set aside.
Prep Noodles: Cook 16 oz flour noodles per package instructions. Drain and toss with 1-2 tbsp sesame oil (to prevent sticking). Cover with plastic wrap and let cool in fridge for at least 30-60 min.
Make the sesame sauce: Whisk together 8 tbsp sesame paste (can sub creamy peanut butter) with 1 chunk of white fermented bean curd (adds huge umami flavor, but you can omit if you can’t find it at your local Asian market). Add in 2 tbsp sesame oil, 3 tbsp light soy sauce, ½ tbsp sweet soy sauce, 3 tbsp Chinese black vinegar (can sub rice vinegar), ½ tbsp chili peppercorn oil, 3 tbsp white sugar, and 1 tsp sea salt. If your sauce is super thick, add in 1-2 tbsp water to thin it out and reach a smooth dressing consistency. Finally, whisk in 1 tbsp Kewpie mayonnaise.
Plating: In a bowl, add in your cooked noodles, add your toppings: a handful of sliced cucumbers, shredded chicken, a spoonful of garlic water, a spoonful of chili oil, crushed sesame seeds, and scallions. Other variations include toppings like sliced scrambled eggs, carrots, and ham. Stir and enjoy!
