A flavorful Taiwanese Sesame Noodles, Ma Jiang Mian recipe. This quick Chinese recipe consists mostly of simple Asian ingredients and condiments. The cold sesame noodles are tossed in a rich Asian Sesame Peanut Dressing.
Sesame Noodles is known as Ma Jiang Mian, a common street food in Taiwan. It tastes amazing when served at room temperature or if you prefer when warmed. Don't forget to serve the noodles with some chopped green onion, julienned cucumber, and spicy chili sauce.
This sesame noodles recipe can be ready within 10 minutes when you use Chinese noodles or as long as 15 minutes if you use spaghetti.
Simple yet Flavorful Sesame Noodles (Ma Jiang Mian):
Thinking of ordering some Chinese takeout? Well, maybe it's time to skip it and make your own delicious Chinese-style noodles at home.
This Sesame Noodles recipe proves that you can make a tasty Asian meal with simple ingredients. There’s no cooking skill required and best of all, no MSG!
These easy Sesame noodles are a popular Shanghainese and Taiwanese classic noodle dish.
They are so delicious and interestingly many say they taste better when you serve them at room temperature rather than warm. This makes it the perfect dish for gatherings, lunches or pot lucks.
麻醬麵 (ma jiang mian) Sesame Noodles are one of the most popular yet cheapest dishes you can get in Taiwan. These cold sesame noodles use a thin wheat noodle which is covered in creamy sesame, peanut and soy sauce and has no meat.
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I first ate Ma Jiang Mian at one of my local Taiwanese restaurants.
I am not claiming this dish is 100% authentic, however, it tastes close to what I had at Shanghainese and Taiwanese restaurants and most importantly, it is delicious!
This noodle dish is versatile. It is served plain but you can make a complete meal by adding meat, such as ground pork or shredded chicken. I highly recommend adding some Chinese hot chili sauce.
Cold Noodles with Sesame Sauce:
To make the chili sauce, you will need Chinese sesame paste or Tahini, peanut butter, soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, garlic, rice vinegar (or black vinegar) and ginger and hot water.
Chinese sesame paste is a popular condiment used in noodles. You can find Chinese sesame paste in most Asian grocers and can use Tahini as a replacement ingredient.
Please keep in mind that Tahini sauce is used in Middle Eastern cooking, which is also made from sesame seeds. The taste is quite similar to the Chinese sesame paste.
However, Tahini sauce is made with raw sesame seeds while Chinese sesame paste has toasted seeds. The Tahini, therefore, does not have the same depth of flavor as the Chinese sesame paste.
Sesame Noodles (Ma Jiang Mian)
Ingredients
- 4 oz Chinese thin wheat noodles, hand noodles, (or use spaghetti)
Sesame Sauce:
- 1 tbsp Chinese sesame paste , (or Tahini) *see notes
- 1 tbsp peanut butter, (smooth)
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tsp rice vinegar or black vinegar
- ½ tbsp white sugar
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp minced ginger , (optional)
- 2 tbsp hot water
Toppings (Optional Ingredients):
- fresh chopped onion
- Chinese chili sauce, (see notes)
- toasted sesame seeds
- sesame oil
- chopped peanuts
- fresh vegetables, (such as julienned cucumber, or bean sprouts)
Instructions
- Cook the noodles according to the product packaging or until al-dente.
- In a medium mixing bowl, add all of sesame sauce ingredients. Stir to combine. Set aside.
- Divide the noodles among serving bowls and pour in the sauce. Toss to coat. Serve with toppings of your choice. Drizzle with a small amount of sesame oil if needed. Enjoy!
melissa chapman
I have not had this in a few years and I do not know why I stopped getting it when I order out.
Brianne Tursi Manz
This dish is very colorful, packed with lots of delicious ingredients!
Amber Myers
These look incredible! My family loves noodles, so I'll have to make this for dinner one night.
Bonnie G
I love a new recipe to try. This looks really good. I will have to try this very soon.
Ice Cream n Sticky Fingers DFW Parenting/LIfestyle
These noodles sound amazing. My son loves anything pasta and I am sure that this recipe won't disappoint his taste buds. I'll have to show him when he gets home.
Lynndee
I don't think I've ever had sesame noodles before. But as an Asian, I do love a good noodle dish. I'm going to try your recipe soon.
Kathy
This recipe looks amazing. My family loves having noodles. I'm going to save this so I can make it later. It really looks delicious.
Tammy
A must try the recipe. Thanks for sharing.
Lizzie
I'm lucky we have a grocery nearby that stocks all these ingredients. I hadn't considered subbing in tahini, but I'm happy to have that hack in my back pocket!
Kita Bryant
Man these look seriously delicious! I would love to make these for the family one night!
Swathi
These sesame noodles looks delicious I would love to try it for this weekend.
Naomi
This dish became a family favorite (I make it extra spicy for me as I love all things chilli:)
Thank you for the recipe
Rika Livingston
You're welcome, Naomi! I am a big fan of chili too! Thanks for sharing your feedback!
Best,
Rika
Ellen
There are many recipes for cold sesame noodles on the Internet and Pinterest. I selected this one because I have all the ingredients home. I doubled the recipe for all the ingredients except the rice vinegar. My husband loved it, as did I. Highly recommend! I would post a picture if this was an option.
Rika
Hi Ellen,
I am glad that you liked this recipe! Feel free to share your picture (if any) on this pinterest pin Sesame Noodles. I'd really appreciate it!
Thanks and take care!
Rika