Get ready to whip up a quick, scrumptious meal that’s sure to dazzle your taste buds – our Asian-Style Peanut Noodle Salad dish with Smoked Tofu. This dish is not just a feast for your senses; it’s also the fastest takeout-style dinner you can create in your own kitchen!
Side Close-up Shot of Asian-Style Peanut Noodle Salad in a White Bowl
Picture this: a bowl of tender noodles, generously coated in a creamy, nutty peanut sauce with a hint of spice. Each bite bursts with bold flavor, while the smoky, golden-brown diced tofu adds a satisfying, savory contrast. Fresh vegetables bring a vibrant crunch, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds and green onions completes the dish. It’s a beautifully balanced fusion of textures and tastes — a simple yet irresistible meal that’s as pleasing to the eye as it is to the palate.
How to Make Asian-Style Peanut Noodle Salad with Smoked Tofu?
This dish is delightfully simple to make, with just a few key components: noodles, peanut sauce, and an array of fresh, crunchy vegetables.
- Cook the Noodles: Choose your favorite – soba, spaghetti, or even ramen noodles. Cook them as per the package instructions.
- Whisk the Peanut Sauce: Combine smooth peanut butter with soy sauce, sesame oil, a touch of Sri racha, and brown sugar. This creates a rich, flavorful base that’s irresistibly good.
- Combine and Toss: Once your noodles are ready, toss them generously in the peanut sauce, ensuring each strand is beautifully coated.
- Add the Freshness: Throw in julienned cucumber, bell pepper, carrot, and thinly sliced spring onion to introduce a refreshing crunch.
- Top it Off: Finish with diced smoked tofu, a sprinkle of sesame seeds, and a drizzle of chili oil for that extra kick.
Overhead Shot of Ingredients for Asian-Style Peanut Sauce
Crafting the Perfect Asian Peanut Sauce
This sauce is the heart of the dish, combining creamy, savory, and sweet flavors for a perfect balance. Low-sodium soy sauce provides a bold umami base, while brown sugar adds a touch of sweetness. Rice or apple cider vinegar brings brightness, and sriracha offers a gentle kick of heat. A drizzle of sesame oil enhances the nutty aroma, complementing the smooth peanut butter that gives the sauce its creamy, indulgent texture.
Once whisked together, adjust the flavors to your liking. For a thinner sauce, add a splash of warm water or coconut milk. You can make it ahead and store it in the fridge for up to a week — just give it a good shake before using. This versatile sauce is ready to elevate any meal!
Side Shot of a White Bowl Filled with Peanut Noodles, Ready to be Enjoyed with Chopsticks
What Noodles to Choose?
The beauty of this dish lies in its versatility. While soba noodles are a fantastic choice for an authentic touch with their nutty flavor and chewy texture, you don’t have to limit yourself. Spaghetti, fettuccine, or even ramen noodles are excellent alternatives that work just as well. Each variety brings its own unique texture, making the dish adaptable to whatever you have on hand. Simply cook the noodles according to the package instructions, and they’ll be ready to soak up that creamy, flavorful peanut sauce.
So, there you have it — a delicious, quick, and easy Asian-Style Peanut Noodle Dish with Smoked Tofu that’s bound to become a new favorite in your home. The blend of bold flavors, crunchy vegetables, and smoky tofu creates a perfect harmony of textures. Best of all, it’s ready in a flash and guaranteed to delight. Give it a try, and watch it become a regular in your meal rotation!
Peanut Noodle Salad
Equipment
- Cooking Pot for boiling noodles
- Mixing bowl for preparing the peanut sauce
- Whisk or spoon for mixing the sauce
- Cutting board and knife for preparing vegetables
- Large bowl for tossing the noodles and sauce
Ingredients
For the Peanut Sauce:
- 1/3 cup smooth peanut butter about 80 g
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce 60 ml
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp Sri racha
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger
- 3 tbsp noodle water
For the Noodles:
- 8 oz noodles 225 g (I used soba)
Vegetables:
- 1 cucumber julienned
- 1 spring onion thinly sliced
- 1 bell pepper thinly sliced
- 1 carrot julienned
Toppings:
- smoked tofu Diced
- Sesame seeds
- Chili oil
- Fried dumplings optional
Prepare the Vegetables:
- Julienne the cucumber carrot, and bell pepper. Thinly slice the spring onion.
Instructions
Prepare the Peanut Sauce:
- In a bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, Sri racha, rice vinegar, minced garlic, and ground ginger until smooth.
- Once the noodles are cooked, add 3 tablespoons of noodle water to the sauce to thin it. Adjust the consistency to your liking.
Cook the Noodles:
- Cook the soba noodles according to package instructions. Be sure to save some of the noodle water for the sauce.
- Once cooked, rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and set aside.
Assemble the Salad:
- In a large bowl, toss the cooled noodles & vegetables with the peanut sauce until evenly coated.
Add the Toppings:
- Top the salad with diced smoked tofu, a sprinkle of sesame seeds, and a drizzle of chili oil for extra heat if desired.
Serve:
- Serve the salad in bowls. If you’re including fried dumplings, place them on the side or on top of the salad.
- Enjoy!
- This dish is perfect as a light lunch or a side dish for dinner. It’s packed with flavor and offers a wonderful balance of textures.
Notes
- Noodle Choice: Soba noodles offer an authentic experience, but spaghetti, fettuccine, or ramen can be great substitutes.
- Peanut Sauce Adjustments: Adjust the Sri racha and brown sugar in the peanut sauce to cater to your preferred level of spice and sweetness.
- Vegetable Variations: Feel free to substitute or add other vegetables like spinach, snap peas, or mushrooms.
- Make-Ahead: The peanut sauce can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- Serving Suggestion: Serve hot or cold. Great as a standalone dish or paired with side dishes like spring rolls or a light salad.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently or enjoy cold.