Make a savory meal in just 15 minutes with these creamy and nutty noodles!

Noodles are a staple in my house, and their versatility makes them such a valuable ingredient. One of my favorite sauces to pair with noodles is a creamy, roasted sesame sauce because it not only brings feelings of nostalgia, but it’s also incredibly flavorful and pairs well with so many dishes. These sesame noodles, called májiàng miàn (麻醬麵), originated in China and were later brought to Taiwan, where the recipe was slightly altered. In Taiwan, the noodles are served hot with a side of fish ball soup or chilled with cucumbers and bean sprouts. I enjoy both styles equally - my preference just depends on the weather outside. If you ever visit Taiwan, make sure to order a bowl of sesame noodles at a food stall and top it with that stall’s chili oil. You’ll instantly feel like a local.

These creamy sesame and peanut noodles are inspired by the Taiwanese version. They’re slightly sweet, not too sour, and the combination of peanut butter and sesame paste works beautifully together in the sauce. The sauce coats ruffled noodles that are bouncy and springy, with slightly uneven edges. If you’re wondering whether you can use straight noodles instead, you absolutely can, but let me explain why ruffled noodles are perfect for this dish. These ruffled noodles are called Guan Miao noodles, and they originate from Tainan. They’re made from wheat flour and are known for their springy, chewy texture. The noodles are cut into thin strands and dried under the sun, creating a naturally squiggly, ruffled shape. This texture actually increases the noodles’ surface area and grip, allowing each strand to hold onto more sauce. You can find Guan Miao noodles at Asian grocery stores like 99 Ranch Market or possibly online.