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Fresh Cold Sesame Noodle Bento Box Recipe Easy Healthy Lunch Idea

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An easy, fresh cold sesame noodle bento box with edamame and cucumber that is quick to prepare, flavorful, and perfect for a healthy lunch on-the-go.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz (225 g) spaghetti or thin Chinese egg noodles (Japanese somen preferred)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (for boiling water)
  • 3 tablespoons tahini
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce (low sodium if preferred)
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
  • 2–3 tablespoons warm water (to thin the dressing as needed)
  • 1 cup shelled edamame, cooked and chilled
  • 1 medium cucumber, thinly sliced or julienned
  • 2 green onions, thinly sliced
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
  • Optional: shredded carrots, thin bell pepper strips, or chopped cilantro

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Add the noodles and cook according to package instructions until just al dente, about 4-5 minutes for somen or thin spaghetti. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  2. Drain the noodles in a colander and rinse thoroughly under cold running water to stop the cooking process and cool them down. Drain well and transfer to a large bowl.
  3. In a mixing bowl, whisk together tahini, soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, rice vinegar, honey, minced garlic, and chili flakes if using. Gradually add warm water, one tablespoon at a time, whisking until smooth and pourable.
  4. Pour the dressing over the cooled noodles and toss gently to coat evenly. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  5. Cook edamame according to package instructions (usually boiling for 3-5 minutes), then chill under cold water. Slice cucumber thinly or julienne it, and slice green onions finely.
  6. Portion the dressed noodles into one compartment of a bento box, arrange edamame and cucumber in others, and sprinkle green onions and toasted sesame seeds on top. Optionally, pack extra dressing separately.

Notes

Rinse noodles well after cooking to prevent clumping and maintain freshness. Chill edamame for texture contrast. Add warm water gradually to dressing to achieve desired consistency. Toast sesame seeds for extra aroma and crunch. Keep dressing separate if packing ahead to avoid sogginess. Substitute tahini with peanut butter or sunflower seed butter for nut-free versions. Use rice noodles or shirataki noodles for gluten-free option. Replace honey with maple syrup or agave for vegan version.

Nutrition

Keywords: cold sesame noodles, bento box, healthy lunch, easy lunch, edamame, cucumber, sesame dressing, quick meal, vegan option, gluten-free option

Find it online: https://evabake.com/fresh-cold-sesame-noodle-bento-box-recipe-easy-healthy-lunch-idea/