Vietnamese Quick and Lazy Drenched Cold Noodles

This easy cold noodle dish is packed with bold flavor and comes together quickly, making it ideal for a fast lunch or simple dinner when you don’t have much time. It’s also a great way to make use of leftover ingredients from your pantry and refrigerator.

This recipe is perfect for busy days when you want something tasty without spending hours cooking. The key is using very hot garlic and shallot oil to bring all the flavors together. Cold-pressed rapeseed oil works wonderfully, though vegetable or sunflower oil can also be used. If preparing for several people, set up all the serving bowls first and pour over the hot oil just before eating.

Ingredients

100 g (3½ oz) flat rice noodles or cooked ramen noodles

1 small shallot, thinly sliced

2 tablespoons rapeseed or canola oil

2 teaspoons toasted sesame seeds

2 tablespoons crispy chili oil

2 tablespoons light soy sauce

1½ teaspoons maple syrup

1 teaspoon black vinegar or apple cider vinegar

2 teaspoons sesame oil

A handful of fresh cilantro leaves

30 g (1 oz) garlic chives (optional)

2 garlic cloves, roughly sliced

2 teaspoons hot Maggi seasoning sauce (optional)

Instructions

Place the noodles in a heatproof bowl or container and pour boiling water over them. Cover with a lid and let sit for at least 4 minutes until softened. If needed, leave them a little longer until fully cooked. Drain the noodles and rinse under warm water until the excess starch is removed. Cover the colander briefly to allow the noodles to dry slightly and become fluffier.

Heat the oil and sliced shallots in a small skillet over medium heat. Cook gently for around 3 minutes, then turn off the heat.

Divide the sesame seeds, chili oil, soy sauce, maple syrup, vinegar, sesame oil, cilantro, and garlic chives between two serving bowls.

Return the shallot oil to high heat and add the sliced garlic. Fry for about 2 minutes until the garlic becomes golden and the oil is sizzling.

Carefully pour the hot garlic and shallot oil into the prepared bowls. Add the noodles immediately afterward.

Serve right away and mix everything together with chopsticks before eating. Add a splash of Maggi seasoning or any extra condiments you enjoy for even more flavor.