Somen Cold Noodle Salad

Somen Cold Noodle Salad

Serves 12
In Japan, somen noodles are served ice-cold alongside a dipping sauce. In Hawaii, cold somen noodles form the base of a refreshing salad that is easy to prepare in advance and to transport to potlucks.

Ingredients

  • 16 ounces somen noodles (extra thin japanese wheat noodles)
  • 1/2 head Romaine or iceberg lettuce (thinly sliced)
  • 2 carrots (shredded (about 1 cup))
  • 1/2 Japanese or English cucumber (halved lengthwise and sliced thin crosswise)
  • 4 ounces Chinese BBQ pork (char siu) (sliced into thin matchsticks)
  • Thin egg omelet (sliced thin (see cook’s tip))
  • 1 green onion (sliced thin)
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds

DRESSING

  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 6 Tbsp Japanese rice vinegar
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tsp kosher salt
  • Splash of sesame oil

Directions

  1. Combine all dressing ingredients in a bottle and shake well. Alternatively, whisk everything together in a bowl. Set aside.
  2. Boil somen noodles according to package instructions. Rinse and drain well.
  3. Arrange noodles in small piles, side-by-side on serving platter. (This will make it easier to serve.) Top with lettuce. Sprinkle with remaining ingredients.
  4. Just before serving, pour dressing all over salad.

Cook Tips

Ribbons of sliced plain egg omelet is ideal for this. Lightly beat 3 eggs, season with salt, then work in batches to fry a thin layer of eggs in a touch of vegetable oil. Repeat until you have cooked it all, then slice into ribbons for the salad.

Nutrition

Amount Per Serving (based on 12 servings)
  • Calories: 310
  • Fat: 0.0 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.0 g
  • Cholesterol: 55.0 mg
  • Sodium: 1400.0 mg
  • Carbohydrates: 37.0 g
  • Fiber: 3.0 g
  • Added Sugars: 5.0 g
  • Sugar: 0.0 g
  • Protein: 9.0 g