Grilled Shrimp Asian Noodle Bowl (Printable version)

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

# Ingredient list:

→ Shrimp Marinade

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

→ Noodles

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

→ Toppings

13 - 1 medium cucumber, julienned
14 - 1 cup 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

# Step-by-step guide:

01 - In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, lime juice, honey, minced garlic, and black pepper. Add shrimp and toss to coat evenly. Allow to marinate for 10 to 15 minutes at room temperature.
02 - Bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil. Add egg noodles and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and rinse under cold running water. Transfer to a mixing bowl and toss with 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame seeds. Set aside to cool.
03 - Heat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat until hot. Thread marinated shrimp onto skewers or place directly on grill grates. Grill for 2 to 3 minutes per side until shrimp are opaque, pink, and lightly charred. Transfer to a plate.
04 - Divide dressed noodles evenly among four serving bowls. Top each bowl with grilled shrimp, julienned cucumber, bean sprouts, avocado slices, and chopped peanuts. Garnish with scallions and fresh cilantro leaves.
05 - Present each bowl with lime wedges on the side for guests to squeeze over top as desired. Serve immediately while noodles are cool and shrimp are warm.

# Expert tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in 30 minutes flat, which means weeknight dinners feel fancy without the stress.
  • The contrast of smoky shrimp against cool, creamy avocado and crunchy peanuts is honestly addictive—every bite surprises you.
  • You can prep everything ahead and assemble right before eating, so hosting feels effortless.
02 -
  • Don't marinate the shrimp for more than 20 minutes or the lime juice and soy sauce will start curing them, making the texture mushy and unpleasant.
  • If your noodles are still slightly warm when you toss in the cold toppings, they'll hold up better and the dressing will coat them more evenly than if they're stone cold.
  • Thread shrimp onto skewers so they run through the thicker body part and don't spin—this ensures even cooking and those beautiful char marks on both sides.
03 -
  • If you don't have a grill, a grill pan on high heat works just as well and honestly gives you more control over the shrimp—you get the same gorgeous char without the worry of them falling through the grates.
  • Toast your sesame seeds in a dry skillet for 2 minutes before adding them to the noodles—this wakes up their flavor and makes them taste like a completely different ingredient.
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