When the summer heat hits, there’s nothing better than a refreshing cold noodle dish to cool you down. These recipes are perfect for when you want something light, quick, and full of flavor. Packed with fresh ingredients and simple to prepare, these dishes will keep you cool and satisfied all season long.

Chopsticks holding up a portion of stir-fried noodles with green onions and sesame seeds, with a dish of sauce in the background.
Photo credit: Chew Out Loud.
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Balsamic Tofu Pasta Salad

Tofu balsamic pasta salad in a glass bowl with white rubber spatula.
Balsamic Tofu Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Tofu pasta salad is an easy, light, and healthy meal or side dish. It’s bursting with fresh summer vegetables and a simple balsamic dressing. A protein-packed way to enjoy pasta salad and keep it plant-based, perfect for hot summer days.
Get the Recipe: Balsamic Tofu Pasta Salad

Greek Pasta Salad

Greek pasta salad in a white bowl.
Greek Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This Greek pasta salad is a healthy spin on the classic side dish. Filled with fresh veggies, it’s a great option for a refreshing summer meal.
Get the Recipe: Greek Pasta Salad

Summer Rolls with Tofu and Spicy Peanut Dipping Sauce

Vegan Summer Rolls with Tofu and Spicy Peanut Dipping Sauce. Photo credit: Very Veganish.

Fresh and light, these Vietnamese-inspired vegan summer rolls are perfect for a refreshing summer meal. Filled with tofu, cucumber, lettuce, mint, and cilantro, and paired with a spicy peanut dipping sauce, they are a great way to cool down.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Summer Rolls with Tofu and Spicy Peanut Dipping Sauce

Garlic Chili Oil Noodles

Garlic Chili Oil Noodles (10-Minute Recipe). Photo credit: Pups with Chopsticks.

These garlic chili oil noodles are quick and easy, ready in just 10 minutes. They combine garlic, soy sauce, and chili flakes with chewy noodles, making them a great choice for hot summer days.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Chili Oil Noodles (10-Minute Recipe)

Easy Cold Soba Noodles

Easy Cold Soba Noodles (Zaru Soba). Photo credit: Pups with Chopsticks.

This cold soba noodle dish features buckwheat noodles and a tea-infused dipping sauce. Light and refreshing, it’s perfect for hot days and easy enough for anyone to make.
Get the Recipe: Easy Cold Soba Noodles (Zaru Soba)

Noodle Salad

Noodle Salad [Cold Sesame Noodles]. Photo credit: Plant-Based on a Budget.

These cold sesame noodles are quick and simple, featuring chewy noodles and fresh veggies in a light sesame-soy dressing. Ready in just 15 minutes, they’re great for cooling off in the summer.
Get the Recipe: Noodle Salad [Cold Sesame Noodles]

Korean Cold Noodles

Bibim Guksu (Korean Cold Noodles). Photo credit: Beyond Kimchee.

Bibim guksu is a spicy and refreshing Korean cold noodle dish. With thin, chewy wheat noodles and a vibrant sauce, it’s full of flavor and perfect for warm weather. Ready in under 15 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Bibim Guksu (Korean Cold Noodles)

Easy 10-Minute Kongguksu (Cold Soy Milk Noodle Soup)

Easy 10-Minute Kongguksu (Cold Soy Milk Noodle Soup). Photo credit: Beyond Kimchee.

This quick kongguksu, or Korean cold soy milk noodle soup, uses tofu and store-bought soy milk. With only the noodles needing cooking, it’s a perfect way to beat the heat in just 10 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Easy 10-Minute Kongguksu (Cold Soy Milk Noodle Soup)

Vietnamese Beef Vermicelli Bowl

Bún Bò Xào/Bún Bò Nam Bộ (Vietnamese Beef Vermicelli Bowl). Photo credit: Savour the Pho.

Bún bò xào is a quick and easy Vietnamese meal with fresh herbs, flavorful lemongrass beef, rice noodles, and a sweet tangy fish sauce dressing. Ready in less than 30 minutes, this dish is great for hot summer days.
Get the Recipe: Bún Bò Xào/Bún Bò Nam Bộ (Vietnamese Beef Vermicelli Bowl)

Salmon Soba Noodle Salad

Salmon Soba Noodle Salad. Photo credit: Delightful Plate.

This salmon soba noodle salad features moist salmon fillets with crispy skin over soba noodles and veggies. Served with a ginger dressing, it’s a healthy and delicious salad that’s ready in under 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Salmon Soba Noodle Salad

Soba Noodle Salad with Cucumber and Peanuts

Soba Noodle Salad with Cucumber and Peanuts. Photo credit: Krumpli.

Soba noodle salad with salted cucumber and toasted peanuts is a perfect side dish for summer. It’s light, refreshing, and pairs well with many main dishes.
Get the Recipe: Soba Noodle Salad with Cucumber and Peanuts

Ramen Noodle Salad

Ramen Noodle Salad. Photo credit: Homemade Hooplah.

With a balance of salty and sweet, this ramen noodle salad features fresh vegetables, sweet oranges, and crunchy toasted ramen. A great way to cool down on a hot day.
Get the Recipe: Ramen Noodle Salad

Vegan Thai Noodle Salad

Vegan Thai Noodle Salad. Photo credit: Serene Tail.

This vegan Thai noodle salad is full of vegetables and mango in a light, tasty dressing. It’s a perfect cold noodle dish for summer.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Thai Noodle Salad

Shaved Purple Asparagus & Asian Vegetable Soba Noodles

Shaved Purple Asparagus & Asian Vegetable Soba Noodles. Photo credit: Strength and Sunshine.

A beautiful shaved purple asparagus and Asian vegetable soba noodle recipe that’s both elegant and fresh. This gluten-free and vegan dish is perfect for a healthy dinner or lunch.
Get the Recipe: Shaved Purple Asparagus & Asian Vegetable Soba Noodles

Vegetarian Japchae

1-Pan Vegan Japchae (Korean Glass Noodle Stir Fry). Photo credit: Earth to Veg.

This 1-pan vegan japchae is an easy way to make a Korean glass noodle stir-fry. With chewy noodles, vibrant veggies, and a sweet soy sauce, it’s perfect as a main dish or side. Can be enjoyed hot or cold.
Get the Recipe: 1-Pan Vegan Japchae (Korean Glass Noodle Stir Fry)

Spicy Peanut Soba Noodles

Spicy Peanut Soba Noodles. Photo credit: The Forked Spoon.

Super easy 20-minute spicy peanut soba noodles because there’s nothing better than carbs and veggies covered in a delicious peanut sauce. Perfect for a quick summer meal.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Peanut Soba Noodles

Asian Cold Sesame Noodles

Asian Cold Sesame Noodles (Nut Free). Photo credit: Chew Out Loud.

This Asian cold sesame noodles recipe tastes deliciously nutty without any nuts. It’s nut-free, easy to make, and perfect for a light summer meal.
Get the Recipe: Asian Cold Sesame Noodles (Nut Free)

Founder and Writer at Running to the Kitchen | About

Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.

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