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Giada Soba Noodle Salad

Giada Soba Noodle Salad - recipe card
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This vibrant soba noodle salad combines earthy buckwheat noodles with crisp vegetables and a bright, tangy miso-ginger dressing. The chewy noodles, crunchy bell peppers, and creamy avocado create a satisfying texture contrast, while the umami-rich dressing ties everything together. It’s a refreshing, protein-packed salad that works as a light main course or a hearty side dish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz (227g) dried soba (buckwheat) noodles
  • 1 medium red bell pepper, thinly sliced into 2-inch matchsticks (about 1 cup)
  • 1 cup (about 4 oz / 113g) shelled edamame, thawed if frozen
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and julienned (about 1 cup)
  • 4 green onions, trimmed and sliced diagonally into 1/4-inch pieces
  • 1 medium ripe avocado, halved, pitted, and thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) white miso paste
  • 3 tbsp (45ml) seasoned rice vinegar
  • 2 tbsp (30ml) low-sodium soy sauce or tamari
  • 1 tbsp (15ml) toasted sesame oil
  • 1 tbsp (15g) fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated (from a 2-inch piece)
  • 1 medium clove garlic, grated (about 1/2 tsp)
  • 2 tsp (10ml) honey or agave nectar
  • 1 tbsp (9g) black sesame seeds, for garnish
  • Kosher salt, to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add a generous pinch of kosher salt (about 1 teaspoon) to the water—this seasons the noodles from the inside out. Once boiling, add the dried soba noodles and cook according to package directions until tender but still chewy, usually 4 to 5 minutes. Soba can overcook quickly; taste a strand at the minimum time.
  2. While the noodles cook, fill a large bowl with ice water. When the noodles are done, drain them immediately in a colander and rinse under cold running water for 30 seconds to stop carry-over cooking and remove excess starch. Plunge the rinsed noodles into the ice water bath for 1 minute to fully chill them; this prevents clumping and gives the salad a refreshing temperature.
  3. Drain the chilled noodles thoroughly and transfer to a large bowl. Drizzle with 1 teaspoon of the toasted sesame oil and toss gently with your hands to prevent sticking. Set aside while you prepare the dressing and vegetables.
  4. In a small bowl, combine the white miso paste, seasoned rice vinegar, low-sodium soy sauce, remaining 2 teaspoons of toasted sesame oil, grated ginger, grated garlic, and honey (or agave). Whisk vigorously until the miso is fully dissolved and the dressing is smooth and emulsified—this may take about 30 seconds. The dressing should be thick but pourable; it will cling to the noodles and vegetables.
  5. Add the sliced red bell pepper, edamame, julienned carrots, and sliced green onions to the bowl with the noodles. Pour the miso-ginger dressing over the top. Using tongs or two large forks, toss the salad until every noodle and vegetable is evenly coated in the dressing—about 1 minute of gentle tossing.
  6. Divide the salad among 4 serving plates or bowls. Fan 3 to 4 slices of avocado over the top of each portion (about 1/4 avocado per plate). Sprinkle with black sesame seeds for a nutty, visual finish. Serve immediately while the vegetables are still crisp and the avocado is fresh. This salad is best at room temperature or slightly chilled, not cold from the refrigerator.

Notes

Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The avocado will brown, so it’s best added fresh just before serving. To refresh leftover salad, bring it to room temperature for 15 minutes and toss with an extra splash of rice vinegar or a drizzle of toasted sesame oil. Do not freeze, as the texture of soba noodles and avocado will degrade. For a gluten-free version, use tamari instead of soy sauce and ensure your soba noodles are 100% buckwheat (check label—some brands add wheat flour).

Nutrition

Keywords: soba noodle salad, Giada soba noodle salad, buckwheat noodle salad, miso ginger dressing, Japanese noodle salad, cold noodle salad, quick weeknight dinner, healthy Asian salad, vegetarian noodle bowl

Find it online: https://giadacooks.com/giada-soba-noodle-salad/