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Black Sesame Noodle Bowl

This vibrant black sesame noodle bowl is a nourishing vegetarian dish that balances deep, nutty flavours with fresh, crunchy textures. The heart of the recipe lies in the homemade dressing, where toasted sesame seeds are ground to release their natural oils before being whisked with savoury soy and a hint of fiery wasabi. It is a fantastic choice for those seeking a light yet satisfying meal packed with healthy fats and plant-based appeal.

Perfect for a quick midweek dinner or a prepared desk lunch, these udon or soba noodles can be dressed in advance to allow the flavours to develop. Topped with creamy avocado, peppery radishes, and grated egg, the dish offers a beautiful contrast of colours and temperatures. Serve it at room temperature with a final drizzle of sweet kecap manis for a professional finish.

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Ingredients for Black Sesame Noodle Bowl

  • 35g black sesame seeds

  • 2 tablespoons neutral-tasting oil

  • 25ml soy sauce

  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar

  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar

  • 1/2 teaspoons wasabi powder

  • 1/4 teaspoons fine sea salt

  • 3 bundles (about 325g ) dried soba, udon, or somen noodles

  • 2 medium shallots, minced

  • 1 avocado

  • 2 large 12-minute eggs

  • 8 small-to-medium radishes

  • 4 cups tender greens, such as watercress, upland cress, baby rocket, or tatsoi

  • 2 spring onions, white and green parts, thinly sliced

  • Kecap manis (Indonesian soy sauce), for drizzling

Place the sesame seeds in a dry skillet and set over medium-low heat. Toast, swirling the pan frequently, until fragrant—90 seconds to 2 minutes. Watch and smell carefully so that they don’t burn. Transfer to a mortar and coarsely grind, then transfer to a mixing bowl. Add the oil, soy sauce, vinegar, brown sugar, wasabi, and salt, and whisk until thoroughly combined.

Bring a saucepan of salted water to a gentle boil. Add the noodles and cook until tender, usually 4 to 7 minutes or according to the package instructions. Drain, rinse thoroughly under cold running water, then drain again thoroughly.

Add the noodles and shallots to the bowl with the sauce and toss well, until the noodles are thoroughly coated. At this stage, the noodles can be transferred to an airtight container and kept in the fridge for up to 2 days. Bring to room temperature before serving.

Quarter the avocado around the pit. Remove and peel the segments, then slice into thin strips. Peel the eggs and grate them using the large holes of a box grater. Slice the radishes into thin rounds. Stack the rounds on top of each other and slice into thin matchsticks.

Divide the greens among four bowls, then top with the dressed noodles. Fan the avocado over the noodles in each bowl, then add a pile of the shredded egg, radishes, and spring onions to each serving. Drizzle a bit of kecap manis over the avocado and serve.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Article history

The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.

  • 28 Jan 2026 | Originally published

    Authored by:

    UK recipe editors

    Peer reviewed by

    UK recipe editors
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