Patricia Yeo's Sesame Noodles

INGREDIENTS

• 3/4 to 1 cups water (or less)
• 1 cup scallions, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup sugar (or to taste -- if making vegan, use cane sugar)
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
• 1 large clove garlic, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped peanuts
• 3/4 cups sesame seeds plus 1 tablespoon
• 3 medium or 2 large shallots (about 2 ounces total), sliced
• 1 cup daikon radish, thinly sliced
• 1 teaspoon hot chile paste
• 3 tablespoons peanut oil
• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup rice vinegar
• 1 cup blanched snow peas, thinly sliced
• 7 tablespoons peanut oil
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
• 12 ounces fresh Chinese egg noodles (sometimes called wonton noodles) or other long thin noodles of your choice
• 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves