By Akshara
August 21, 2026
When Hollywood stars Tom Holland and Zendaya visited a tiny 11-table bistro in Shanghai, their repeat visits turned a humble bowl of local noodles into a massive global sensation. Known as the ultimate comfort food, these noodles rely on a rich, nutty base of sesame paste and peanut sauce combined with soy and vinegar. Recreating this viral dish at home captures that exact savoury, creamy, and deeply comforting profile in your own kitchen.
200 grams Chinese wheat noodles or ramen noodles  2 tablespoons smooth peanut butter  2 tablespoons Chinese sesame paste or tahini  1 tablespoon light soy sauce  1 teaspoon dark soy sauce  1 teaspoon Chinese black vinegar  1 clove garlic, finely minced  1 teaspoon spring onion, finely chopped  2 tablespoons hot noodle cooking water
Boil the noodles in a large pot of water according to the packet instructions until springy, then drain while reserving a few tablespoons of the starchy cooking water.
Whisk together the peanut butter, sesame paste, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, black vinegar, and minced garlic in a serving bowl until well combined.
Pour the hot reserved noodle water into the peanut and sesame mixture, stirring vigorously to create a smooth, emulsified sauce.
Add the cooked noodles straight into the bowl, toss well until every strand is coated in the rich sauce, and garnish with chopped spring onions before eating.