Cherry & Dennis Helper Habitat
Taiwanese Sesame Noodles
台式麻醬麵
Recipe overview
Taiwanese sesame noodles use warm water to loosen sesame paste, garlic-vinegar seasoning and hot springy noodles.
01
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- 400 g Dried wheat noodles
- 120 g Sesame paste
- 200 g Cucumber
- 3 cloves Garlic
- 2 tsp Toasted sesame
Sesame sauce
- 120 ml Warm drinking water
- 2 tbsp Black vinegar
- 1 tbsp Light soy sauce
- 1 tsp Sugar
- 2 tsp Chilli oil
- 2 tsp Sesame oil
Reserved noodle water
- 60 ml Noodle cooking water
02
Tools
- Chopping board, chef's knife and grater
- Measuring spoons and jug
- Large sauce bowl and whisk
- Large noodle pot, chopsticks and colander
- Four serving noodle bowls
03
Steps
Step 1
1. Put sesame paste in a large bowl and prepare warm drinking water
Put sesame paste in a large bowl and prepare warm drinking water.
Step 2
2. Add warm water in three additions, whisking smooth after each
Add warm water in three additions, whisking smooth after each.
Step 3
3. Mince garlic and grate cucumber into fine matchsticks
Mince garlic and grate cucumber into fine matchsticks.
Step 4
4. Mix garlic with black vinegar, light soy, sugar, chilli oil and sesame oil
Mix garlic with black vinegar, light soy, sugar, chilli oil and sesame oil.
Step 5
5. Whisk the garlic-vinegar mixture into loosened sesame paste
Whisk the garlic-vinegar mixture into loosened sesame paste.
Step 6
6. Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil
Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil.
Step 7
7. Add wheat noodles and stir once to separate strands
Add wheat noodles and stir once to separate strands.
Step 8
8. Cook 5 minutes until springy with a small firm centre
Cook 5 minutes until springy with a small firm centre.
Step 9
9. Reserve 60 ml noodle water, then drain noodles very thoroughly
Reserve 60 ml noodle water, then drain noodles very thoroughly.
Step 10
10. Toss hot noodles with sesame sauce for 45 seconds until every strand is coated
Toss hot noodles with sesame sauce for 45 seconds until every strand is coated.
Step 11
11. Use reserved noodle water only if sauce is too thick, adding 1 tbsp at a time
Use reserved noodle water only if sauce is too thick, adding 1 tbsp at a time.
Step 12
12. Divide into bowls, top with cucumber and toasted sesame, then serve warm
Divide into bowls, top with cucumber and toasted sesame, then serve warm.
Common mistakes
- Adding all warm water at once makes sesame paste lumpy or split.
- Grating watery cucumber directly into the sauce dilutes it.
- Overcooked or poorly drained noodles become soft after tossing.
- Adding all reserved noodle water before checking thickness leaves sauce at the bottom.
Tips
Add warm water gradually to prevent lumps and toss noodles immediately after draining.
