Sunomono or Japanese Noodle & Cucumber Salad
This salad is subtle and very refreshing. There are a variety of textures-chewy cold noodles (bean thread noodles, some call them cellophane noodles 'cause when you boil them they become clear), crunchy sesame seeds, and crunchy cucumber slices. Sugar salt, and vinegar combine harmoniously, each understated but very much present.
Yield
4 servingsPrep
15 minCook
10 minReady
40 minIngredients
| Amount | Measure | Ingredient | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | ounces |
vermicelli pasta
noodles, dry |
|
| 6 | tablespoons |
rice vinegar
|
|
| 4 | teaspoons |
sugar
|
|
| 2 | teaspoons |
soy sauce, tamari
|
|
| 1 | teaspoon |
salt
|
|
| 1 | tablespoon |
sesame seeds
or 2 tablespoons |
|
| 1 |
cucumbers
medium sized |
|
|
| 2 |
scallions, spring or green onions
green, thinly sliced |
|
Ingredients
| Amount | Measure | Ingredient | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 173.4 | ml/g |
vermicelli pasta
noodles, dry |
|
| 9E+1 | ml |
rice vinegar
|
|
| 2E+1 | ml |
sugar
|
|
| 1E+1 | ml |
soy sauce, tamari
|
|
| 5 | ml |
salt
|
|
| 15 | ml |
sesame seeds
or 2 tablespoons |
|
| 1 | each |
cucumbers
medium sized |
|
| 2 | each |
scallions, spring or green onions
green, thinly sliced |
|
Directions
Cook the noodles in boiling water until just tender. Drain and rinse in cold water. Drain thoroughly, and transfer to a medium-sized bowl.
(My advice, store in water if not using right away)
Add vinegar, sugar, soy sauce, salt, and sesame seeds. Mix well. Cover and chill until cold.
(Don't chill for too long or the noodles will stick together. I did this but was able to save it by adding more rice vinegar until the noodles separated again. It tasted great.)
Peel and seed the cucumber. Cut into quarters lengthwise, then into thin pieces.
If not serving right away, wrap the cucumber pieces in a plastic bag or plastic wrap and refrigerate.
To serve, divide the noodles amon 4 or 5 serving bowls.
Top with a small handful of cucumber slices, a light sprinkling of sesame seeds, and, if desired, a few very thin slices of scallion greens. Serve cold.
Everything except the cucumbers and toppings can be combined several days ahead of time.
