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Ubud-to-Osaka Sambal Peanut Soba Bowl

Ubud-to-Osaka Sambal Peanut Soba Bowl

Imagine the tropical, zesty heat of a Balinese surf shack colliding with the earthy, crisp perfection of a Japanese noodle stand! This energizing spring lunch bowl relies on a wildly addictive sambal-lime peanut dressing shaken up in a mason jar, tossing it all together with slurpable cold soba, vibrant blanched edamame, and my ultimate weeknight savior: rotisserie chicken. It is a one-bowl passport stamp that comes together faster than you can find your actual passport.

Chef Mira Lin
Chef Mira Lin
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 5 minutes
2
easy
lunchsalad
15-minute-mealsspring-recipessoba-noodlesrotisserie-chicken+1

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Timeline

13 minutes
0m5m10m13m
Boil Water & Prep Veggies
5m
Shake Mason Jar Dressing
3m
Blanch Soba & Edamame
4m
Drain & Cold Shock
2m
Assemble & Toss Bowl
4m

Ingredients

  • 8 oz soba noodles(buckwheat noodles)
  • 1 cup shelled edamame(frozen is perfect)
  • 1.5 cups rotisserie chicken breast(shredded, skin removed)
  • 2 Persian cucumbers(smashed and roughly chopped)
  • 0.5 cup fresh mint(roughly torn)
  • 0.5 cup fresh cilantro(roughly torn)
  • 3 tbsp creamy peanut butter(unsweetened)
  • 3 tbsp fresh lime juice(about 2 juicy limes)
  • 1 tbsp sambal oelek(chili garlic sauce works too)
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce(low sodium, or tamari)
  • 1 tbsp honey(or agave syrup)
  • 2 tbsp warm water(to thin the dressing)

Instructions

  1. 1

    Set a large pot of salted water to boil. While we wait for the bubbles, step up to your departure gate (your cutting board!) and smash 2 Persian cucumbers with the flat side of your knife, then chop them into bite-sized chunks. Tear up 0.5 cup fresh mint and 0.5 cup fresh cilantro.

    5 min

    Tip: Smashing the cucumbers breaks their cell walls, creating craggy edges that will soak up our incredible dressing later!

  2. 2

    Grab your trusty mason jar. Add 3 tbsp creamy peanut butter, 3 tbsp fresh lime juice, 1 tbsp sambal oelek, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp honey, and 2 tbsp warm water. Screw the lid on tight and shake it like you're mixing a cocktail on a Friday night until everything emulsifies into a gorgeous, creamy sauce.

    3 min

    Tip: If the dressing feels too thick, add another splash of warm water and give it another shake. The consistency should be like heavy cream.

  3. 3

    Once the water is at a rolling boil, drop in 8 oz soba noodles. Stir them gently so they don't stick. Exactly one minute before the noodles are tender, toss in 1 cup shelled edamame to blanch alongside them.

    4 min

    Tip: Soba cooks fast—usually 3-4 minutes! Keep a close eye so they maintain that essential, toothsome springiness.

  4. 4

    Drain the noodles and edamame in a colander, immediately shocking them under freezing cold tap water. Use your hands to vigorously rinse and toss them until they are completely cold. This washes off the excess starch and stops the cooking process dead in its tracks.

    2 min

    Tip: Don't skip the cold rinse! It's the secret to keeping your soba noodles from turning into a gummy mess.

  5. 5

    In your largest, most beautiful serving bowl, combine the cold, drained noodles and edamame with the chopped cucumbers, 1.5 cups rotisserie chicken breast, and your torn mint and cilantro. Pour that magnificent mason jar dressing over the top and toss everything vigorously until every single strand of soba is coated in that fiery, zesty peanut magic.

    4 min

    Tip: Tongs are your best friend here. Lift and fold to get the heavy chicken and edamame off the bottom of the bowl.

Chef's Notes

Between soccer practice drop-offs and endless emails, I rely on this bowl to instantly reset my brain. The sambal wakes up my palate, the cold soba provides the most energizing carb-load, and using leftover rotisserie chicken makes me feel like a domestic genius. If you want a little extra crunch, a handful of crushed roasted peanuts on top makes this dish absolutely sing!

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Ubud-to-Osaka Sambal Peanut Soba Bowl take to make?

Ubud-to-Osaka Sambal Peanut Soba Bowl takes about 15 minutes total. That includes 10 minutes of prep and 5 minutes of cooking.

How many servings does this recipe make?

This recipe makes 2 servings.

What skill level is needed for Ubud-to-Osaka Sambal Peanut Soba Bowl?

This recipe is rated easy — it's beginner-friendly and straightforward.

What ingredients do I need for Ubud-to-Osaka Sambal Peanut Soba Bowl?

The main ingredients are: soba noodles, shelled edamame, rotisserie chicken breast, Persian cucumbers, fresh mint, fresh cilantro, creamy peanut butter, fresh lime juice, sambal oelek, soy sauce, honey, warm water.

What type of meal is Ubud-to-Osaka Sambal Peanut Soba Bowl?

Ubud-to-Osaka Sambal Peanut Soba Bowl is categorized as: lunch, salad.