TikTok Style Chili Crisp Cucumber Noodle Bowls (Printable)

Refreshing cold noodles with crisp vegetables, creamy chili dressing, and your choice of protein

# Components:

→ Noodles

01 - 9 oz thin wheat noodles (soba, ramen, or rice noodles for gluten-free)

→ Protein

02 - 10 oz firm tofu, pressed and cubed, or cooked chicken breast, shredded

→ Vegetables

03 - 2 large cucumbers, julienned or spiralized
04 - 2 scallions, thinly sliced
05 - 1 medium carrot, julienned (optional)
06 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds

→ Creamy Chili Dressing

07 - 2 tablespoons chili crisp
08 - 3 tablespoons mayonnaise (or vegan mayo)
09 - 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
10 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce (use tamari for gluten-free)
11 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
12 - 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
13 - 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
14 - 1 garlic clove, minced

→ Garnishes

15 - Fresh cilantro or mint leaves
16 - Extra chili crisp to taste
17 - Lime wedges

# Method:

01 - Cook the noodles according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water, then set aside to cool completely.
02 - If using tofu, pan-fry the cubes in a nonstick skillet with a small amount of oil over medium heat until golden on all sides, approximately 6 to 8 minutes. If using cooked chicken, shred and set aside.
03 - In a large bowl, whisk together all creamy chili dressing ingredients until smooth and creamy.
04 - Add the cucumbers, carrot if using, and scallions to the bowl with dressing. Toss to coat evenly.
05 - Add the cooled noodles and protein to the dressed vegetables. Toss gently until everything is well combined and evenly coated.
06 - Divide the noodle mixture among serving bowls. Top with sesame seeds and garnish with cilantro or mint, extra chili crisp, and lime wedges.
07 - Serve immediately, or chill for 10 to 15 minutes for enhanced refreshment.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 30 minutes, which means you can make something that feels restaurant-quality without stress.
  • The creamy-spicy-cool thing happening in every bite is genuinely addictive and keeps you coming back for another forkful.
  • You can customize it completely—swap proteins, adjust heat levels, add whatever vegetables are hanging around your fridge.
02 -
  • Pressing your tofu before cooking actually matters—it creates space for the edges to crisp up and develop flavor instead of just steaming itself.
  • Don't dress the noodles too far in advance or they'll absorb all the dressing and turn gummy by the time you eat them.
  • The dressing will taste slightly too strong when you first taste it—this is correct, because the noodles and vegetables will dilute it once everything comes together.
03 -
  • Make the dressing up to a day ahead and store it in the fridge—it actually gets better as flavors meld, and you'll save yourself precious minutes on busy days.
  • If you're bringing this somewhere, pack the dressing separately and toss everything together right before eating so the noodles don't get soggy.
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