Noodle Around: Asian Noodle Salads to Try in Indy

As another Indianapolis summer draws to a close, the changing season calls for one more bright, refreshing and flavorful mean. Asian noodle salads fit the bill, combining crisp vegetables, noodles and savory dressings that can be modified to fit any palette or food preference.

While cold noodle dishes have long been enjoyed across Asia, they became increasingly familiar to Americans during the 1960s and ’70s as Asian-owned restaurants expanded throughout the United States. In Indianapolis, local chefs continue to honor those traditions and flavors while adding their own personal touches. From sesame-forward classics to vibrant, vegetable-packed bowls, here’s where to find some of the city’s standout asian noodle salads.

Modita opened its doors to the Indianapolis community in April 2021, and is notoriously known for the unique spin on Asian-inspired dishes. Its Cold Noodle Salad features gluten-free rice vermicelli noodles, bean sprouts, cucumbers, cilantro, and candied peanuts tossed in a bright nuoc cham dressing. 

850 Massachusetts Avenue, Suite 110, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46204

Thai Villa’s silver noodle salad features silver noodles, cilantro onions, and peanuts mixed in a spicy lime dressing. Guests can choose chicken, pork or shrimp for protein. 

10572 E. 96th Street, Fishers

Lille Bonne in Fletcher Place is a newcomer to Indianapolis– alongside their coffee, sandwiches, and pastries, they have a cold sesame noodle salad available. It’s perfectly balanced flavors of soy and sesame combine with green onion and peanuts for a light and tangy lunch.

701 E. McCarty Street, Indianapolis

Bodhi’s version of an Asian noodle salad is its papaya salad. Their salad features Thai green papaya, carrots, tomato, edamame, sweet corn, pork rind, peanuts, cashew thai chili, lime and garlic. Patrons can add anchovy funk or shrimp cocktail, too. 

922 Massachusetts Ave., Indianapolis

Baan Thai Bistro’s glass noodle salad is composed of clear, bean thread noodles with tremella mushrooms, cilantro, green onions, shallots, and tomatoes tossed in a sriracha lime dressing. 

8705 Southeastern Ave., Indianapolis

Thai Season’s Yum Wun Sen is a mixture of glass noodles, onions, green onions, red onions, cucumber, tomatoes, peanuts and cilantro mixed in a lime dressing

1370 S Rangeline Rd, Carmel