Grilled Shrimp Asian Noodle Bowl (Printable version)

Smoky grilled shrimp over sesame noodles with crisp vegetables and creamy avocado.

# What You'll Need:

→ Shrimp Marinade

01 - 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
02 - 2 tbsp soy sauce
03 - 1 tbsp sesame oil
04 - 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
05 - 1 tsp honey
06 - 1 clove garlic, minced
07 - 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper

→ Noodles

08 - 8 oz egg noodles
09 - 1 tbsp sesame oil
10 - 1 tbsp soy sauce
11 - 2 tsp rice vinegar
12 - 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds

→ Toppings

13 - 1 medium cucumber, julienned
14 - 1 cup fresh bean sprouts, rinsed
15 - 1 large avocado, sliced
16 - 1/3 cup roasted unsalted peanuts, roughly chopped
17 - 2 scallions, thinly sliced
18 - Fresh cilantro leaves for garnish
19 - Lime wedges for serving

# How-To Steps:

01 - In a medium bowl, whisk together soy sauce, sesame oil, lime juice, honey, minced garlic, and black pepper. Add shrimp and toss thoroughly to coat. Allow to marinate for 10 to 15 minutes at room temperature.
02 - Cook egg noodles according to package directions in a medium saucepan. Drain thoroughly and rinse under cold running water until cooled. Toss cooled noodles with sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame seeds. Set aside.
03 - Heat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat until hot. Thread marinated shrimp onto skewers if desired. Grill for 2 to 3 minutes per side until shrimp turns pink and develops light char marks. Transfer to a clean plate.
04 - Divide dressed noodles evenly among four serving bowls. Arrange grilled shrimp, julienned cucumber, bean sprouts, avocado slices, and chopped peanuts on top of each portion. Garnish with sliced scallions and fresh cilantro leaves.
05 - Place lime wedges alongside each bowl for squeezing over the finished dish. Serve immediately while noodles are chilled and shrimp retains warmth.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • It comes together in 30 minutes, yet tastes like you spent way more effort than you actually did.
  • The contrast between warm grilled shrimp and cool noodles with crisp vegetables feels unexpectedly luxurious.
  • It's naturally flexible—swap proteins, noodles, or toppings without losing what makes it special.
02 -
  • If your shrimp overcooks even slightly, the texture suffers—that 2 to 3 minutes per side is genuinely the sweet spot, so set a timer and don't wander off.
  • Cold noodles are essential here, so don't skip the ice bath after cooking, otherwise they'll clump together and everything falls apart.
  • The avocado should be added just before serving to prevent browning, and handle it gently so it stays beautiful on top rather than mashing into the noodles.
03 -
  • Pat your shrimp dry with paper towels before marinating so they take on flavors instead of just getting wet.
  • Toast your own sesame seeds if you have time—the aroma that fills your kitchen is part of the experience.
  • If you're cooking for guests, prep all your vegetables and toppings ahead of time, then assemble everything in the last few minutes so it all arrives at the table fresh and intentional.
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