Craving something quick, flavourful, and seriously crunchy? This Asian Ramen Salad recipe is your go-to. Packed with crispy noodles, fresh cabbage, and a bold sesame dressing, it’s ready in minutes and perfect for potlucks, BBQs, or make-ahead lunches.

Whether you know it as Oriental Ramen Noodle Salad, Asian Ramen Coleslaw, or that crunchy salad from every picnic ever, this classic recipe gets a modern, healthy twist with real ingredients and easy swaps.

What Is an Asian Ramen Salad Recipe?

Asian ramen salad is a chilled salad that combines uncooked, toasted instant ramen noodles with crunchy slaw (like cabbage or broccoli), nuts, green onions, and a savoury-sweet sesame dressing. It’s often topped with extras like mandarin oranges, shredded chicken, or sunflower seeds for texture and flavour.

This recipe is inspired by the nostalgic original ramen noodle salad recipe made popular by home cooks and even the Pioneer Woman ramen noodle salad, but with fresher, customisable ingredients and healthier dressing options.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Crunchy Base:

2 packs of ramen noodles (discard seasoning)
3 cups shredded cabbage (or broccoli slaw)
1/2 cup sliced almonds or sunflower seeds
2 green onions, chopped
Optional: 1/2 cup mandarin oranges, shredded chicken, or tofu.

Homemade Asian Ramen Salad Recipe Dressing:

1/4 cup olive oil or sesame oil
2 tablespoons rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar for a halal-friendly version)
1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari
1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
Pinch of garlic powder and pepper

This sesame soy vinaigrette balances tangy, sweet, and salty notes, offering a healthier alternative to the seasoning packets used in Asian ramen salad recipes.

How to Make Asian Ramen Salad

Step 1: Toast the Noodles and Nuts
Break up the uncooked ramen noodles into bite-size chunks. In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the noodles and almonds until golden brown and fragrant (about 3-4 minutes). Set aside to cool.

Step 2: Make the Dressing
Whisk together the oil, vinegar, soy sauce, sweetener, and seasonings in a small bowl. Taste and adjust to your liking.

Step 3: Assemble the Salad
In a large bowl, mix the shredded cabbage, green onions, and optional mandarin oranges or chicken.

Step 4: Combine and Serve
Add the cooled noodle mix to the salad, pour over the dressing, and toss well. Serve immediately for crunch, or chill for 30 minutes to let the flavours meld.

Easy Add-Ins & Delicious Variations

Want to make it your own? Here are some ideas:

With Chicken: Add grilled or rotisserie chicken for a full meal.
With mandarin oranges: Add a bright, citrussy burst that contrasts beautifully with the savoury dressing.
With Broccoli Slaw: Use in place of cabbage for added colour and nutrition.
Asian Ramen Salad recipe with apple cider vinegar: swap in ACV for a halal-friendly and tangier dressing.
Gluten-Free: Use rice ramen and tamari sauce.
Vegan-Friendly: Swap honey for maple syrup and use tofu as a protein.

Why This Salad Works (and Stays Crunchy)

Uncooked ramen = ultimate crunch
Toasted noodles & nuts bring toasty, nutty depth
Fresh slaw keeps it light and refreshing
Savoury-sweet dressing balances every bite

To keep your crunchy ramen noodle salad recipe from getting soggy, add the dressing just before serving. If you’re prepping ahead, store the dressing separately.

Make It Ahead for Potlucks or Meal Prep

This is one of those dishes that tastes even better after chilling. It’s ideal for:

BBQs and cookouts
Holiday potlucks
Lunchbox layering in mason jars
Busy weeknight sides

Meal prep tip: Layer your cold ramen noodle salad in a jar, starting with dressing, then add the slaw and toppings. Keep the noodles separate until ready to eat.

Nutrition Snapshot (per serving)

Estimate based on 6 servings, without optional chicken or oranges.

Calories: ~230
Protein: 4 g
Carbs: 21g
Fat: 13g
Sugar: 3 g

Make it even lighter by using less oil or a sugar-free dressing variation.

FAQs

What is in Asian ramen salad?
It usually includes shredded cabbage, uncooked ramen noodles, almonds, and a sesame-soy dressing.

Can you use cooked ramen noodles in a salad?
You can, but uncooked toasted noodles provide the signature crunch.

Is this salad gluten-free?
It can be! Use rice-based ramen noodles and tamari instead of soy sauce.

Can I make Asian ramen salad without coleslaw mix?
Yes. Just shred your cabbage or carrots, or use broccoli stems.

What goes well with Asian ramen salad?
It pairs well with grilled meats, teriyaki skewers, or even tofu bowls.

Final Thoughts

This Asian ramen noodle salad is more than just a side dish; it’s a crowd-pleaser packed with flavour and crunch. From a classic ramen coleslaw salad to a protein-packed Asian chicken cabbage ramen salad, the variations are endless.

It’s quick. It’s easy. It’s addictively crunchy. Try it once, and you’ll be bringing it to every gathering.