This creamy Japanese-style pasta salad stays soft and flavorful, even when cold—perfect for bento boxes or make-ahead meals. The secret? Use the oil from the canned tuna\! It coats the pasta and keeps it from clumping, while adding extra umami. A family favorite that both kids and adults love.
20 minutes
Rinaty
PROFILE
INGREDIENTS
SERVES 3
Original recipe (1X) yields 3 servings
When scaling the recipe, the ratios of some ingredients may require slight adjustments. Adjust as necessary and season to taste.
- 3 1/2 oz pasta (spaghetti or short pasta) (broken in half)
- 1 /3 cucumber (julienned)
- 4 ham slices (julienned)
- 1 /4 of a carrot (julienned)
- 1 can of tuna in oil (do not drain)
- 4 cup water
- 1 tsp. salt (for boiling pasta)
- A3 tbsp. Japanese mayonnaise
- A2 tsp. vinegar
- A2 tsp. soy sauce
- ASalt and black pepper (to taste)
INSTRUCTIONS
- 1
Break the pasta in half.
- 2
Bring 4 cups of water and 1 tsp. salt to a boil in a saucepan. Add pasta and cook according to package directions.
- 3
While the pasta cooks, julienne the cucumber, ham, and carrot.
- 4
In a large bowl, combine the entire contents of the tuna can (including oil) with A (mayonnaise, vinegar, soy sauce, salt and pepper). Mix well.
- 5
Once the pasta is cooked, drain thoroughly and immediately add it to the bowl with the dressing. Toss quickly and thoroughly.
- 6
Add the cucumber, ham, and carrot to the bowl. Mix well and serve.
RecipeID
63
Tips & Notes
・ Use the entire contents of the canned tuna, including the oil, to coat the pasta. (Bonus: No messy oil-draining required!)
・ Break the pasta in half before boiling for easier mixing and serving.
・ Toss the pasta with seasonings immediately after draining while still hot to prevent it from sticking.
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About Me I was born and raised in Fukuoka in 1995. I love discovering delicious food just as much as I love eating it! As of January 2025, I’m grateful to have around 850,000 followers on Instagram—thank you so much for your amazing support. My Recipe Philosophy Through cooking, I hope to share many moments of happiness. Whether you’re someone who cooks daily for your family despite a busy schedule, or someone who wants to prepare a delicious meal for a loved one, I want my recipes to be your go-to. I focus on recipes that are easy to make using familiar ingredients and everyday seasonings found in any home. My dishes are not so much “fancy” in flavor as they are warm, home-style meals—simple, quick, and budget-friendly. I would be delighted if my recipes could bring a small sense of warmth and joy to both those who cook and those who eat. The happiness of making something tasty, the joy of hearing “It’s delicious!”, the smiles around the dining table, and the fun of cooking together with children—these are the heartwarming little moments I hope to deliver through my cooking."