When the temperature climbs, I tuck away my hot noodle bowls and pull out something cold, refreshing, and absolutely impossible to stop eating. This collection of 23 cold noodle recipes has everything: salads, brothy bowls, and slurpable wonders that make warm weather meals feel like a treat. I’m so excited for you to dig in and find your new favorite.
1. Korean Cold Noodle Soup
Here’s another route to an icy cold noodle soup. At first glance it might seem almost too simple, but once you get into it, it’s more involved than you’d think. You’ll build layers of beef broth, whip up cucumber and radish pickles, boil eggs, and even make a little yellow mustard.
2. Cold Sesame Noodles with Crunchy Vegetables
If you swoon over creamy Asian sauces that hit every single flavor note, this one has your name on it. It leans hard into that velvety texture with both peanut butter and tahini. Then comes the flavor party: soy sauce, rice vinegar, ginger, garlic, sesame oil, and garlic chili sauce.
3. Cold Noodles with Shredded Chicken
From the shredded chicken to the final drizzle of sauce, this salad is pure perfection. The chicken poaches gently in a bath of water, ginger, and scallions. Then the noodles get brightened up with veggies, peanuts, cilantro, and a tangy, garlicky sauce.
4. Bibim Guksu
Bibim guksu is the Korean cold noodle dish that rules my summer cravings. Thin wheat noodles act as the base for a colorful pile of cabbage, cucumbers, radishes, boiled egg, and kimchi. And please, do not skip the spicy gochujang sauce because it brings an absolute explosion of flavor.
5. Sichuan Cold Noodles
Pantry fully loaded but the crisper drawer is looking sad? Sichuan cold noodles are here to save the day.
The only fresh things you need are scallions and garlic. Everything else goes into the bold Asian sauce and chili oil that soak into those chewy lo mein noodles.
6. Cold Salmon Noodle Bowl
I need to pause and really talk about how much I adore this cold salmon noodle bowl. It brings together salmon, noodles, and avocado in an absolutely irresistible way. The whole thing gets drenched in ponzu, which is my all time favorite Asian sauce to pour over just about everything.
7. Sour Spicy Cold Noodles
Sometimes you just want a giant bowl of noodles absolutely drenched in an Asian style sauce, and this one delivers. A glug of chili oil brings the heat while Shanghai rice vinegar works its magic on the umami base, giving it that puckery sour note.
There’s no long list of toppings involved here, just simple cucumber slices and scallions. It’s perfect.
8. Cold Peanut Noodle Salad
Meal prep Sunday, meet the new lunch that jumps right to the top of the list. It’s a vibrant tangle of whole wheat spaghetti dotted with carrots, red cabbage, green onions, and peanuts. Right before you dig in, pour on the peanut lime dressing and toss everything until it’s coated in that goodness.
9. Hiyashi Chuka (Cold Ramen)
Hiyashi chuka is a chilled ramen dish that’s a summer staple in Japan. It marries fresh ingredients with savory meats in the most lovely way. Ham, crab, and thin omelet strips pile on the protein, making it a meal you’ll crave.
10. Cold Spicy Peanut Sesame Noodles
Your tastebuds are in for a ride with a tangle of noodles slicked in rich peanut butter. Sweet, nutty, creamy, savory, and fiery all swirl together in the best possible way. The only real question is whether you’ll grab a box of chewy spaghetti or delicate rice noodles.
11. Chili Garlic Rice Noodle Salad
Okay, this right here is my personal dream cold noodle salad. It’s packed with crisp veggies, fresh herbs, tender rice noodles, zesty lime, chili, and plenty of garlic. Honestly, what else could you possibly want?
12. Cold Noodle Salad with Creamy Tahini Dressing
This dish is where an Asian vibe meets Mediterranean flair in the most refreshing way. The zippy tahini dressing is a healthy, nut free swap for peanut sauce. Creamy, garlicky, gingery, and just a little spicy, it drenches rice noodles with an absolutely astounding amount of flavor.
13. Cold Thai Noodle Salad
This Thai inspired noodle salad is off the charts. Savory pork, cool cucumbers, handfuls of fresh herbs, and rice noodles all come together in one seriously satisfying bowl.
And the Thai peanut dressing? It’s hands down the best match.
14. Taiwanese Cold Noodles with Sesame Dressing
This beloved Taiwanese dish somehow transforms chilled noodles into the coziest, most comforting meal. A generous, velvety peanut sauce cloaks the noodles in pure decadence. Soft boiled eggs, sliced ham, cucumbers, and carrots seal the deal with those snug, cozy vibes.
15. Chinese Cold Noodle Salad with Sesame Dressing
Persian cucumbers are the ultimate cooling partner for these deeply savory noodles. And oh my goodness, the umami here is real. The dressing pulls together sesame seeds in three different forms, Chinese soy sauce, black vinegar, and a touch of sugar.
16. Cold Ramen Noodle Salad
A regular bowl of ramen already makes me a happy gal, but this cold noodle salad sends me straight through the roof with excitement. It’s a generous bounty of crunchy veggies and ramen noodles all tossed up with a zippy ginger sesame dressing.
17. Cold Soba Noodles in Beef Broth
When you’re hankering for Asian noodle soup but can’t handle a steaming hot bowl, I’ve got you. Soba noodles take a frosty plunge into beef broth alongside juicy slices of beef shank, a jammy egg, cucumber, kimchi, and apple slices. It has every single thing you’re jonesing for at the exact temperature you need to beat the heat.
18. Vietnamese Noodle Salad with Tangy Dressing
Quick, grab something to write on because this recipe is about to be your go to all summer long. Whether it’s for a speedy lunch, a light dinner, or a backyard hangout, this 15 minute salad ticks every box. It’s like a banh mi and a summer roll got together in the most delicious deconstructed form.
19. Cold Asian Noodle Salad with Grilled Shrimp
I made this salad once earlier this week and I’m already pulling out the ingredients to whip it up again tonight. That’s how completely floored I am. Tender soba noodles, grilled shrimp, and fresh mint make up the heart of it, but the real magic lives in that sauce and marinade.
20. Cold Noodle Bowl with Sriracha Peanut Crumble
By now you’ve probably noticed that cold ramen is downright scrumptious. What sets this bowl apart is the signature Sriracha peanut crumble. It’s spicy, salty, and crunchy, adding layers of complementary flavor and texture to every single bite.
21. Cold Sesame Noodles with Spiralized Vegetables
Spiralizing your veggies is the secret to getting that perfect forkful every time. I truly adore chopping up a pile of fresh vegetables and mixing them in, but sometimes a few pieces slip away right when you go for a bite. That just doesn’t happen with those long, twirly strands.
22. Vermicelli Noodle Salad
Before you head out, I have one last recipe I absolutely have to share. It’s my go to 15 minute noodle salad.
Cabbage, carrots, and bean sprouts bring that wonderful crunch, while the delicate vermicelli noodles keep everything feeling light. Of course, a flavorful sauce is non negotiable, so you’ll whisk up soy sauce, rice vinegar, bird’s eye chili, garlic, and sugar for the dressing.
23. Vegan Cold Ramen with Sesame Sauce
Want all the joy of Hiyashi chuka without the meat? No problem, this version goes fully vegan.
That creamy tahini sauce and those luscious noodles are so good, nobody will even think about missing the meat. If you do want a hit of extra protein, just lay some tofu on top.