I don’t think I could ever live in Seattle. Every time the sky goes gray, I want to curl up on the couch with this sweet thing and stare out the window. And daydream. Daydream about writing a book titled Rain: Killing Productivity Since the Beginning of Time. (A true story.) See, this is why I wouldn’t get anything done in rainy Seattle. The drips and drops hitting the roof always lull me into la-la land.
Let’s talk about this soba dish before I succumb to the couch. It is pretty fantastic and green, just like the fledgling leaves sprouting from the trees outside. It contains more produce than noodles, which keeps it fresh and light.
This dish is simple to make once you have the vegetables prepared and the dressing whisked up. Just bring two pots of water to boil: one for the noodles, and another for the edamame and snap peas, which you’ll cook briefly before draining. Then you just toss in the rest!
In an attempt to make this website a better resource to you all, I’ve decided to formalize my recipe notes. Check out the end of the recipe for details on how to store leftovers, how to make the recipe gluten free/vegan, and so forth.
Sugar Snap Pea and Carrot Soba Noodles
- Author:
- Prep Time: 25 mins
- Cook Time: 5 mins
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
- Category: Main
- Cuisine: Asian
A healthy, vibrant soba noodle recipe full of fresh springtime produce. Feel free to trade in other seasonal vegetables for the sugar snap peas, like chopped bell pepper. This recipe yields about six servings and the leftovers don’t keep particularly well, so halve the ingredients if you’re not serving a crowd.
Ingredients
Soba
- 6 ounces soba noodles or spaghetti noodles of choice
- 2 cups frozen organic edamame
- 10 ounces (about 3 cups) sugar snap peas or snow peas
- 6 medium-sized carrots, peeled
- ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro (about 2 handfuls)
- ¼ cup sesame seeds
Ginger-sesame sauce
- ¼ cup reduced-sodium tamari or soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons quality peanut oil or extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 small lime, juiced
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon honey or agave nectar
- 1 tablespoon white miso*
- 2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger
- 1 teaspoon chili garlic sauce or sriracha
Instructions
- To prepare the vegetables: Use a chef’s knife to slice the peas in half lengthwise (or just roughly chop them). Slice the carrots into long, thin strips with a julienne peeler, or slice them into ribbons with a vegetable peeler.
- To make the sauce: whisk together the ingredients in a small bowl until emulsified. Set aside.
- Bring two big pots of water to a boil. In the meantime, toast the sesame seeds: Pour the sesame seeds into a small pan. Toast for about 4 to 5 minutes over medium-low heat, shaking the pan frequently to prevent burning, until the seeds are turning golden and starting to make popping noises.
- Once the pots of water are boiling: In one pot, cook the soba noodles just until al dente, according to package directions (probably about 5 minutes), then drain and briefly rinse under cool water. Cook the frozen edamame in the other pot until warmed through (about 4 to 6 minutes) but before draining, toss the halved peas into the boiling edamame water and cook for an additional 20 seconds. Drain.
- Combine the soba noodles, edamame, snap peas and carrots in a large serving bowl. Pour in the dressing and toss with salad servers. Toss in the chopped cilantro and toasted sesame seeds. Serve.
Notes
*I used Miso Master brand’s reduced-sodium sweet white miso. It’s in the refrigerated section near the tofu. Omit if you can’t find it, but it provides a nice boost of flavor.
Make it vegan: Sub agave nectar for the honey.
Make it gluten free: Buy certified gluten-free, all buckwheat soba noodles (or gluten-free spaghetti) and use tamari instead of regular soy sauce. Make sure your miso is gluten free, if using.
Storage suggestions: This dish keeps decently well, covered and refrigerated, for a couple of days, BUT here’s a better way, courtesy of Janet: make a batch, store the salad and dressing separately until ready to eat, and then grab one or two portions and add some dressing. Either way, you can serve leftovers chilled or gently rewarmed. Wake up leftovers with a dash of additional tamari or lime juice and fresh cilantro leaves.
Change it up: Feel free to substitute other seasonal produce for the sugar snap peas, or skip them altogether for less prep work. Chopped, raw bell pepper would be a nice addition this summer.
Recommended equipment: This julienne peeler is a fun tool that turns carrots (and zucchini and cucumbers) into thin vegetable noodles.
If you love this recipe: I have more soba noodle recipes over here!
Vegetable enthusiast. Dog lover. I'm probably making a big mess in my Kansas City kitchen right now. 
Christie
Made this tonight- very delicious! To bulk it out a little more I added some seared tofu, and sauteed zucchini and red capsicum. Def keeping this recipe to make again!
★★★★★
Kate
Thank you, Christie for sharing! I appreciate the review.
Christy
This looks great! Any ideas for how I could prepare chicken to add to the dish? Ex: Marinate, spices, grill?
Thanks!
Kate
Hi Christy! I’m not the expert in chicken since I’m a vegetarian, but I say prepare your favorite way. Almost anything grilled is delicious!
Kerstin Decker
Kate, My lady friends and I get together with a beautiful luncheon every month and I chose the Soba noodles, snap peas for my serve, but on the same day early in the AM I have an appointment with a doctor, but can make the lunch date. Can I prepare the dinner late the evening before and then refrigerate it, drop it off at the adresse and then mix and warm it up and serve. This dish looks so good
Kate
Please see the storage note below the recipe instructions! That should help answer your questions.
Paula
Kate:
Thank you very much for this delicious recipe. I tried it last week when I was making some food for my daughter-in-law who just gave birth to our first grandchild and is a vegan. Anyway, I had made that as part of a dinner for her and she loved it as did our son. Subsequently I made it for my sisters and brothers in law (non-vegan) last night for dinner. They have now asked for the recipe for this delicious “vegan” dish. It is definitely a keeper. Thank you! Paula
★★★★★
Kate
Congratulations, Paula! That’s exciting. I’m glad it is a hit with all. Thanks so much for the review!
Kim
In the beginning you said leftovets don’t keep well and at the end you said it keeps for a couple of days.????
Kate
Hi Kim – Recipe is best served right away and recommend to halve if you are serving less. But if you do have some leftovers, it will keep for a few days. Not ideal as it will get a little mushy. Hope that helps clarify! :)
Kristen
Is the meal supposed to be hot, room temp or cold?
Kate
You can serve it right away, so it will still be warmed. Or, you can let it cool if you like!
Elena
All I have to say is…WOW. This is freakin’ so yummy! My boyfriend was head over heels for it. It has definitely been added to my saved recipe list.
★★★★★
Kate
Hooray! Thanks, Elena.
Galina
Thank you Kate for such a delicious recipe. My family loves it! I made other recipes that you shared and all of them are absolutely delicious. Thank you!
★★★★★
Kate
You’re welcome, Galina!
Judy S.
Delicious!! So fresh!!
★★★★★
Kate
Thank you, Judy!
Amber
Hello!
How many will this serve?
If brining it to a party, should I make double?
Kate
Hi Amber! The serving size is right before the ingredients. :) This one serves 6!
Lucy
Made for dinner tonight and it was delicious! Family loved it
Jonna
I kno this is supposed to be cold I made hot I used cooked snap peas shredded carrot And water chestnut I used pasta zero for pasta . Also made crispy tofu for the protein as well
★★★★★
Kate
Thanks for sharing, Jonna!
Marissa
Just now exploring plant-based foods and one to two meals a week stepping away from animal-based meals. Is there a particular reason you couldn’t boil all of the ingredients in one pot? Seeing as they boil for similar amounts of time?
Kate
Hi Marissa! That’s a good question, and I’m wondering if I tried that when I made this recipe five years ago (I’m always trying to minimize pots). Adding frozen edamame to the pot will lower the temperature for a bit, and could impart some edamame flavor to the noodles. But, it might work well after all!
Dave
Just made it tonight, it’s easy (I spent probably twice as long in the grocery store searching for some of the ingredients as I did preparing it–and no miso since I’m in a small town) and that dressing is ridiculously good! I only gave it 4 stars because the “salad” part of it is a little bland for my tastes with just carrots, peas, edamame, and soba noodles. When I make it again (and I will) I am going to give it some extra zing by adding a little diced red onion, minced garlic, and diced jalapeno. Not too much because I don’t want to overpower that awesome dressing, but my palate craves something more snappy and I think those will complement dressing, but I may be wrong. I’ll try to remember to post back when I try it again–so many recipes so little time–so it may be awhile.
★★★★
Kate
I really appreciate the feedback, Dave! Thanks for the review.
Lorraine
Can you freeze this recipe?
Kate
This one won’t freeze well, sorry!
Helen
Hi here, how long does the ginger sesame sauce keep in the fridge?
Kate
It should keep well for a few days!
Lauren Mshiu
I love your website so much! I am unable to become vegan at this moment but I am considering it for the future – I’m just not quite sure yet. I’ve saved a lot of your recipes on Word documents so I can try them when I get time over the summer. Can’t wait.
B.T.W. I am not releasing or publishing the recipes as my own. If I was to ever send a recipe to someone, I would link your website’s URL for sure!
Thank you!
★★★★★
Lauren
Great recipe! The sauce has an awesome flavor and I love that you can bulk it up with so many veggies. My meat loving husband and father in law even really liked it.
★★★★★
Kate
Thank you, Lauren! I’m glad you loved it.
Donna
Super easy and delicious! We will delve adding this into our menu rotation! Whoop whoop!
★★★★★
Kate
Thank you, Donna!
Jillian
This recipe is a hit in my house and even with my non-vegan friends! I add red bell pepper to it.
★★★★★
Kate
Wonderful to hear, Jillian!
Geneva
Made this tasty, fairly easy dish last night. Honestly, as I was making it I said out loud that the prep work was just a tad fussy (I hate peeling vegetables) for a dish that was likely going to be palatable but boring, so I doubted I’d bother making it again. I was pleased to be so wrong–this was remarkably delicious! The flavors are so fresh and work together perfectly.
We did include the miso, and I threw some gochujang into my serving (hubby and daughter did not). I might toss some jalapeno in there if I have it on hand next time. But this is a superb dish that will make it into regular rotation here; thank you for sharing it!
★★★★
Kate
I’m happy you thought it was worth the effort! I appreciate your review, Geneva.
Linda
Wow! Fantastic recipe! My family gobbled this up which surprised me. I changed a few things like I used spaghetti noodles, lightly fried the carrots & snap peas in sesame oil and doubled the dressing recipe. It was so good I plan on making this again in the next few days. Thank you for sharing.
★★★★★
Kate
I’m happy to hear it was a hit! Thank you for your review, Linda.
Olivia
I made this but my grocery store ran out of soba noodles and nowhere close to me sells edamame so I used rice noodles and chickpeas instead and this was amazing!
★★★★★
Kate
Thank you for your review, Olivia!
Aline
Some Japanese students who stayed with us for a week gave us some soba noodles and I am trying this week to use ingredients we already have in the house. So I made this. It was delicious! I didn’t have enough edamame (about 3/4 cup) and I had to take it out of the shell, but it was still great and there are a lot of vegetables that I think would be good in it.
★★★★★
Kate
I’m glad you loved it, Aline! Thanks for your review.
Stacey
Thanks for another fantastic recipe. We loved this salad. It was very satisfying, and so fresh and healthy.
★★★★★
Germaine
My partner & I have made this a couple of times now-delicious! Thank you for sharing!
★★★★★
Keri
Excellent recipe! It was very filling as a main dish. I’ll try it again with tofu. Thanks for a dish that will be in regular rotation! It keeps very well as left overs if the dressing is stored separate from the dressing.
★★★★★
Kate
I’m happy you loved it, Keri!
Mimi Crevello
I was looking for a vegan recipe for snap peas and came across your recipe. It is delicious. Thank you so much. And yes, I think I’ll add some tofu to it.
Christine
FYI I now make this dish once a week for my family. Excellent dinner!
★★★★★
Monica Martinez Arriaga
I made this last night and it was delicious!!!! I used black sesame seeds because that’s all I had, but it was sooo good. I added grilled shrimp to my husband’s plate. I wish I could post photos!!! Definitely making this again!!!
★★★★★
Kate
Wonderful to hear, Monica! Thank you for your review.
Laura
We are trying to go meatless on weekdays and I came across this recipe. Wow! So good. We can’t get enough of the sauce! Thank you for the tip on where to find the miso. We would have never of found it.
★★★★★
Claire
Super good! Didn’t have edamame so subbed reg peas. Added a little cashew butter to the dressing for indulgent creaminess. This was really good! Thank you!!
★★★★★
curt walker
love this recipe!! i’ve made this several times with other veggies added. i also shared this with other freindsmywife n i been wanting to cut carbs and i found these black bean noodles with only 19g per serving half of all noodles ,well tried them in this recipe what a nice substitute for soba noodle
★★★★★
maria
We made this to utilize the sugar snap peas and carrots from our CSA. We didn’t have edamame but we added tofu and then to “cook” the peas and carrots we poured the pasta water over them for a couple of minutes. We also added spiralized zucchini (since we had some of that in our CSA, too). The sauce is excellent and we loved the vegetable flavors and crunch. This is a great spring / early summer meal using the vegetables of the season, keeping the kitchen cool on hot days (with only pasta noodles to cook) and the perfect temperature to eat inside or outside. Leftovers are great cold and make for a yummy lunch – easy to take on a picnic (as we found out the next day). Thanks so much for posting!
★★★★★
Mialuvsveggies
WooHoo! This was A-Mazing! Yum! Yum!
★★★★★
Susan
We really enjoyed this. I substituted sliced red peppers for the snap peas, and it was great. I just steamed the edamame in a little water with the peas. I did add some garlic prior to adding the carrots and cooked soba noodles and sauce. We enjoyed the cilantro and toasted sesame seeds. We added some leftover zucchini corn fritters revived in the air fryer. A satisfying vegan dinner…even for my spouse, an omnivore.
★★★★★
Ashley N. Boydston
Hi! I’m in KC, too! What store did you find the sweet Miso paste at?
Kate
Hi Ashley! You should be able to find some at Whole Foods.
B
Your recipes are just so delicious, fresh, and quick to make. Thanks for helping me learn how to cook, C&K! Also, wishing Cookie improved health with her treatment. I know how hard it is having a sick fur boo. Wishing you patience and that you take in all the happy times and snuggles your heart can hold.
Ellyna
This recipe looks delicious – is there a way to make it without oil? I just don’t enjoy things made with oil at all. Thanks!
Kate
Hi Ellyna, sorry I don’t have an oil free option and wouldn’t be able to say for sure if it would work with something else without trying.
Mary Richman
So I never ate edamame before. I guess i needed to take the peas out and just eat them?
Kate
Hi! You can eat the sugar snap peas shell and all. I hope that helps!