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Soba Noodle Salad with Daikon Radish and Herbs

By Aran Goyoaga

Published on February 16, 2026

Time

30 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Soba Noodle Salad with Daikon Radish and Herbs

Ingredients

3 tablespoons fish sauce 2 tablespoons unseasoned rice vinegar 2 tablespoons lime juice 2 tablespoons sugar 2 teaspoons chili crisp 1 garlic clove, minced to paste1 recipe recipe, cooled, or 1 pound dried soba noodles, cooked according to package directions and cooled1 carrot, peeled and cut into 3-inch matchsticks ½ English cucumber, cut into 3-inch matchsticks8 ounces daikon radish, peeled and cut into 3-inch matchsticks3 scallions, sliced thin¼ cup chopped dry-roasted peanuts 2 cups fresh cilantro, mint, and/or Thai basil leaves

Before You Begin

A rasp grater makes quick work of turning the garlic into a paste. This salad tastes especially good with our Homemade Gluten-Free Soba Noodles, which are quick and easy to make. Cool first before using.

Instructions

  1. Stir 3 tablespoons fish sauce; 2 tablespoons unseasoned rice vinegar; 2 tablespoons lime juice; 2 tablespoons sugar; 1–2 teaspoons chili crisp; and 1 garlic clove, minced to paste, together in large bowl.
  2. Add 1 recipe Homemade Gluten-Free Soba Noodles, cooled; 1 carrot, peeled and cut into 3-inch matchsticks; ½ English cucumber, cut into 3-inch matchsticks; 8 ounces daikon radish, peeled and cut into 3-inch matchsticks; and 3 thinly sliced scallions and toss to combine. Top with ¼ cup chopped dry-roasted peanuts and 2 cups fresh cilantro, mint, and/or Thai basil leaves. Serve. 
Soba Noodle Salad with Daikon Radish and Herbs
Photography by Steve Klise. Styling by Christine Tobin.

Soba Noodle Salad with Daikon Radish and Herbs

Headshot of Aran Goyoaga
By Aran Goyoaga

Published on February 16, 2026

Save

Time

30 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Ingredients

3 tablespoons fish sauce
2 tablespoons unseasoned rice vinegar
2 tablespoons lime juice
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons chili crisp
1 garlic clove, minced to paste
1 recipe recipe, cooled, or 1 pound dried soba noodles, cooked according to package directions and cooled
1 carrot, peeled and cut into 3-inch matchsticks
½ English cucumber, cut into 3-inch matchsticks
8 ounces daikon radish, peeled and cut into 3-inch matchsticks
3 scallions, sliced thin
¼ cup chopped dry-roasted peanuts
2 cups fresh cilantro, mint, and/or Thai basil leaves

Ingredients

3 tablespoons fish sauce
2 tablespoons unseasoned rice vinegar
2 tablespoons lime juice
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons chili crisp
1 garlic clove, minced to paste
1 recipe recipe, cooled, or 1 pound dried soba noodles, cooked according to package directions and cooled
1 carrot, peeled and cut into 3-inch matchsticks
½ English cucumber, cut into 3-inch matchsticks
8 ounces daikon radish, peeled and cut into 3-inch matchsticks
3 scallions, sliced thin
¼ cup chopped dry-roasted peanuts
2 cups fresh cilantro, mint, and/or Thai basil leaves

Ingredients

3 tablespoons fish sauce
2 tablespoons unseasoned rice vinegar
2 tablespoons lime juice
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons chili crisp
1 garlic clove, minced to paste
1 recipe recipe, cooled, or 1 pound dried soba noodles, cooked according to package directions and cooled
1 carrot, peeled and cut into 3-inch matchsticks
½ English cucumber, cut into 3-inch matchsticks
8 ounces daikon radish, peeled and cut into 3-inch matchsticks
3 scallions, sliced thin
¼ cup chopped dry-roasted peanuts
2 cups fresh cilantro, mint, and/or Thai basil leaves

Why This Recipe Works

Made from buckwheat, Japanese soba brings a nutty, earthy complexity to a noodle salad. We cut carrots, cucumber, and daikon radish into matchsticks that guarantee color and crunch in every bite. A few thinly sliced scallions contribute grassy savor. For a dressing with extra punch to pair with the noodles’ assertive taste, we take inspiration from Vietnam’s popular dipping sauce nước chấm, combining fish sauce, sugar, lime juice, rice vinegar, and garlic to achieve its signature sweet-tangy-salty balance. Stirring in a little chili crisp brings heat and umami. Chopped peanuts go on top, along with lots of cilantro, mint, and Thai basil for a vibrant finish.

Before You Begin

A rasp grater makes quick work of turning the garlic into a paste. This salad tastes especially good with our Homemade Gluten-Free Soba Noodles, which are quick and easy to make. Cool first before using.

Instructions

  1. Stir 3 tablespoons fish sauce; 2 tablespoons unseasoned rice vinegar; 2 tablespoons lime juice; 2 tablespoons sugar; 1–2 teaspoons chili crisp; and 1 garlic clove, minced to paste, together in large bowl.
  2. Add 1 recipe Homemade Gluten-Free Soba Noodles, cooled; 1 carrot, peeled and cut into 3-inch matchsticks; ½ English cucumber, cut into 3-inch matchsticks; 8 ounces daikon radish, peeled and cut into 3-inch matchsticks; and 3 thinly sliced scallions and toss to combine. Top with ¼ cup chopped dry-roasted peanuts and 2 cups fresh cilantro, mint, and/or Thai basil leaves. Serve. 

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