Cold Sesame Noodles

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 3 medium garlic cloves , thinly sliced
• One 1-inch piece fresh ginger , peeled and thinly sliced
• 2 pieces whole star anise
• 3 whole cloves
• 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons cold water
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 teaspoons rice wine vinegar
• 2 teaspoons Diamond Crystal kosher salt ; if using table salt , use half as much by volume or same weight
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce
• ¾ teaspoon ground white pepper
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
• Kosher salt
• 1 ¼ cups pastry or cake flour such as Bob’s Red Mill (see note)
• ¾ cup potato starch (see note)
• ¾ cup boiling water
• Vegetable oil , for greasing
• 6 ounces celery , cut cross-wise on a slight bias into 1/8-inch thick strips
• 4 ounces English cucumber , cut into matchsticks
• ½ ounce fresh cilantro sprigs , trimmed and cut into 2-inch lengths