TAKEOUT-STYLE SESAME NOODLES

Takeout-Style Sesame Noodles image

Noodles dressed with sesame are popular in many parts of China, but this particular style, made with peanut butter and served cold, became a Chinese-American staple in the United States in the 1970s. The family of Shorty Tang - an ambitious restaurateur who emigrated from Sichuan to Taipei to New York - firmly believes that he invented the dish and still serve it at Hwa Yuan, the restaurant he opened in 1967 in Manhattan's Chinatown. They have never divulged the exact recipe; this is our own lush but refreshing version.

Provided by Sam Sifton

Categories easy, quick, noodles, times classics, appetizer, side dish

Time 10m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

Ingredients

1 pound noodles, frozen or (preferably) fresh
2 tablespoons sesame oil, plus a splash
3 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons Chinese rice vinegar
2 tablespoons Chinese sesame paste
1 tablespoon smooth peanut butter
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 tablespoon finely grated ginger
2 teaspoons minced garlic
2 teaspoons chile-garlic paste, chile crisp or chile oil, or to taste
Half a cucumber, peeled, seeded and cut into 1/8-inch by 1/8-inch by 2-inch sticks
1/4 cup chopped roasted peanuts

Steps:

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add noodles and cook until barely tender, about 5 minutes. They should retain a hint of chewiness. Drain, rinse with cold water, drain again and toss with a splash of sesame oil.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the remaining 2 tablespoons sesame oil, the soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame paste, peanut butter, sugar, ginger, garlic and chili-garlic paste.
Pour the sauce over the noodles and toss. Transfer to a serving bowl, and garnish with cucumber and peanuts.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 628, UnsaturatedFat 16 grams, Carbohydrate 90 grams, Fat 21 grams, Fiber 6 grams, Protein 22 grams, SaturatedFat 4 grams, Sodium 797 milligrams, Sugar 7 grams, TransFat 0 grams