Sichuan Shirataki Sesame Noodle Salad With Cucumber, Sichuan Peppercorn, Chili Oil, and Peanuts (Vegan) Recipe

By
J. Kenji López-Alt
Kenji Lopez Alt
J. Kenji López-Alt
Culinary Consultant
Kenji is the former culinary director for Serious Eats and a current culinary consultant for the site. He is also a New York Times food columnist and the author of The Food Lab: Better Home Cooking Through Science.
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Updated Mar. 19, 2019
20150217-shirataki-noodle-sichuan-sesame-vegan-recipe-5.jpg
Slick shirataki noodles with chili oil, Sichuan peppercorn, and cucumbers. J. Kenji Lopez-Alt

Why It Works

  • Heating the oil and pouring it over dried chilies and Sichuan peppercorns infuses it with flavor, which then gets transferred to the noodles.
  • This dish is all about balancing heat, acidity, and sweetness in the dressing.
  • Slick shirataki noodles are a great vehicle for the flavorful sauce.

Slick shirataki noodles are perfect for cold noodle salads, where their slippery texture helps keep each strand separate while simultaneously picking up plenty of flavor from a sauce of Sichuan peppercorn and chili-infused oil, black vinegar, garlic, soy sauce, and peanuts.

Recipe Facts

4.4

(5)

Active: 15 mins
Total: 15 mins
Serves: 2 servings

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Ingredients

  • 1 (8-ounce) package shirataki noodles, drained

  • 3 dried Thai chiles or 1 teaspoon chile flakes (more or less to taste)

  • 1 tablespoon Sichuan peppercorns

  • 1/4 cup vegetable or canola oil

  • 1 medium clove garlic, minced (about 1 teaspoon)

  • 1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger

  • 3 tablespoons Chinese sesame paste or tahini

  • 1 tablespoon Chinese Chinkiang or black vinegar (see note)

  • 2 teaspoons soy sauce

  • 1 tablespoon sugar

  • 1 small cucumber, peeled, seeded, and cut into thin strips

  • 1/4 cup thinly sliced scallions (white and pale green parts only)

  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves and thin stems

  • 1 tablespoon roasted sesame seeds

  • 1/4 cup roasted peanuts, crushed lightly under a pan or in a mortar and pestle

Directions

  1. Transfer shirataki noodles to a colander or strainer. Rinse under cold running water for 30 seconds, then set over a bowl to drain while you make the sauce.

  2. Crush the dried chilies in a mortar and pestle or spice grinder until it has the texture of store-bought crushed red pepper flakes. Place in a heatproof container along with Sichuan peppercorns. Heat the oil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat until shimmering. Pour the hot oil over the chilies and Sichuan peppercorns (it should sizzle vigorously). Let stand 5 minutes while you prepare the rest of the sauce.

  3. Combine garlic, ginger, sesame paste, vinegar, soy sauce, and sugar in a large bowl and stir with a spoon to combine. Carefully pour the chili-infused oil into the bowl through a fine mesh strainer (add only half of the chili sauce if you prefer a less spicy dish). Discard dried chilies and Sichuan peppercorns. Stir sauce to emulsify, adding a few drops of water if it is very thick (sesame paste can vary in thickness). Add cucumbers, scallions, cilantro, sesame seeds, and drained noodles. Toss to coat, adjusting seasoning with more tahini, sugar, soy sauce, or vinegar to taste. Transfer to a serving platter, top with peanuts, and serve.

Special equipment

Mortar and pestle or spice grinder

Notes

If you can't find Chikiang or Chinese black vinegar, combine 2 teaspoons white vinegar with 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar in its place.

This Recipe Appears In

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
587 Calories
51g Fat
29g Carbs
11g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 2
Amount per serving
Calories 587
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 51g 65%
Saturated Fat 5g 27%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 390mg 17%
Total Carbohydrate 29g 11%
Dietary Fiber 6g 20%
Total Sugars 9g
Protein 11g
Vitamin C 8mg 41%
Calcium 135mg 10%
Iron 3mg 16%
Potassium 577mg 12%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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