Cold Udon Salad
Refreshing Udon Salad - Cold Noodle Salad with Miso Dressing
When summer arrives, my meals start looking a little different. Heavy dishes get pushed aside, and suddenly all I crave are cold noodles, crunchy vegetables, and simple meals that don’t require standing over the stove for too long.
This Refreshing Udon Salad is one of those recipes I make on repeat during warmer months. It’s light yet satisfying, colorful, and packed with fresh vegetables tossed together with chewy udon noodles. The miso sesame dressing adds just the right balance of savory, tangy, and slightly sweet flavors that make every bite refreshing.
It’s also the kind of meal that works perfectly for busy days. You can use whatever vegetables you already have in the fridge, making this an easy “clean-out-the-fridge” lunch or light dinner.
If you love Japanese cold noodle dishes during summer, this chilled udon salad is a must-try.
What is Udon Salad?
Udon Salad is a Japanese-style cold noodle salad made with thick, chewy udon noodles and fresh vegetables. In Japan, cold noodle dishes become especially popular during the hot summer season because they’re cooling, refreshing, and easy to prepare.
Unlike traditional hot udon soup, this version is served chilled and tossed with a flavorful dressing — often soy sauce-based or miso-based. The combination of cold noodles and crisp vegetables creates a satisfying dish that feels both nourishing and refreshing.
One of the best things about udon salad is how flexible it is. You can easily customize it with seasonal vegetables, proteins, or toppings depending on what you have available.
Tips & Variations
Add Protein - Turn this into a more filling meal by adding:
Shredded chicken
Tofu
Boiled egg
Tuna
Add Extra Crunch
Top the salad with:
Crispy shallots
Roasted sesame seeds
Crushed ramen noodles
Swap the Vegetables
This recipe is very flexible. Try adding:
Bell peppers
Lettuce
Edamame
Radish
Carrots
Make Ahead Tip
For the freshest texture, keep the noodles, vegetables, and dressing separate until ready to serve.
RECIPE
Servings: 1
Time: 20 min
Ingredients:
1 serving of udon noodles (fresh or frozen)
1/4 cucumber
1/2 tomato
a handful of mizuna or baby greens
2 tbsp corn kernels
a few slices of red onion
For the Dressing:
2 tbsp rice vinegar
1 tbsp miso
1 tbsp mentsuyu (Japanese noodle soup base)
1/2 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp sesame oil
Instructions:
Prep the vegetables:
Slice the cucumber and red onion thinly.
Chop the tomato into bite-size pieces.
If using frozen corn, thaw it.
Wash and drain the mizuna or greens.
Cook the udon noodles:
Boil water and cook the udon noodles according to the package instructions.
Once cooked, rinse under cold water to cool, and drain well.
Make the dressing:
In a small bowl or jar, mix rice vinegar, miso, mentsuyu, sugar, and sesame oil.
Stir or shake well until smooth and combined.
Assemble the salad and serve:
In a serving bowl, toss the cooled noodles with the prepared vegetables.
Pour the dressing over and mix gently to combine.
Serve immediately, or chill for 10 minutes to let the flavors come together.
Optionally, garnish with sesame seeds, shredded nori, or a boiled egg.
FAQ
Can I use frozen udon noodles?
Yes! Frozen udon noodles work perfectly for this recipe and are often chewier and more authentic in texture than shelf-stable versions.
What does miso dressing taste like?
The dressing is savory, tangy, slightly sweet, and nutty from the sesame oil. The miso adds depth and umami flavor without being overpowering.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, but for best results, store the dressing separately and toss everything together just before serving.
What vegetables work best in udon salad?
Crunchy fresh vegetables like cucumber, lettuce, mizuna, carrots, edamame, radish, and tomatoes work especially well.
Is this recipe vegetarian?
It can be made vegetarian by using a vegetarian-friendly mentsuyu or soy sauce instead.
You May Also Like This Recipe
If you enjoy chilled summer noodles, try my Cold Tomato Tuna Somen recipe.
Looking for another refreshing Japanese summer dish? Check out my Hiyashi Chuka recipe.
For more easy summer meals, try my Egg Drop Udon recipe.
Learn how to make Japanese Smashed Cucumber Salad recipe.
