Quick And Easy Spicy Garlic Noodles

If you’re looking for a quick and easy spicy garlic noodle dish, you found it. This dish brings the heat without sacrificing flavor. If you’re a fan of spice, you will love this dish.

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Why You Will Love This Recipe

I am not going to lie to you. This dish is spicy. Leigh took a bite, and that was it for her. I ate three servings. If you like a spicy dish, you’re gonna love these noodles. If you’re not, just run away.

What makes this recipe a keeper is that it is so quick to throw together, and you end up with a restaurant-quality dish that any fire-breathing fan will love. It’s quick, has a great umami flavor, and is so easy to make.

If you’re afraid it might be too spicy, see the Variations section below for ways to tame this dragon. But if you’re one of the fearless, just make it as-is. You can thank me in the comments! 🙂

Ingredients Needed

This recipe uses many of the standard Asian ingredients, such as garlic, ginger, soy sauce, etc. There is one ingredient that you might not have in the pantry, but I would recommend that you get it.

It’s called gochugaro. Gochugaru, a Korean chili powder, is coarsely ground and resembles the texture of crushed red pepper flakes. It is traditionally produced from sun-dried peppers, with the seeds removed.

You can find this in any Asian market or perhaps your grocery store, depending on where you live. You can also get gochugaro at Amazon by clicking that link.

If you don’t want to try it, you can always sub it out. See the Tips section.

Also, this recipe calls for cooked stir-fry noodles, such as Ka-me Stir Fry Noodles. You are more than welcome to use any kind of pasta you like, such as linguini or spaghetti.

Prepare the pasta beforehand, cooking to al-dente, shock it with cold water, drain, and set aside.

How To Make Spicy Garlic Noodles

Place a large skillet over medium low heat. When the pan has heated sufficiently, add the sesame oil and allow it to heat up.

Add the garlic and ginger to the pan and saute over medium-low heat for three minutes.

ginger and garlic sauteing in a skillet.

Add the gochugaru to the pan and mix well to combine. Saute for one minute. Add the oyster sauce to the pan and saute for one minute.

Gochugaru spice added to a skillet with ginger and garlic.

Add the noodles to the skillet, then add the soy sauce.

Increase the heat to medium and saute for three minutes. Add the green onion to the skillet and saute for one minute.

Serve and enjoy these amazing spicy garlic noodles!

Tips

If you don’t have, or want to go a hunt for gochugaru, use gochujang. It’s basically the saucy version of the same thing. Just toss a tablespoon in. I find gochujang in every store, such as Wal-Mart, etc.

If you find the dish too spicy, balance it with a bit of sweetness. Adding a teaspoon of brown sugar or honey can help mellow out the heat.

Garnish with toasted sesame seeds or crushed peanuts for added texture and flavor.

Variations

Protein Addition: Add cooked chicken, shrimp, or tofu to the noodles for added protein.

Vegetable Boost: Stir in some colorful veggies like bell peppers, snap peas, or carrots for a nutritious twist.

Gluten-Free Option: Use tamari sauce instead of soy sauce and gluten-free noodles for a gluten-free version of this dish.

FAQ’s

Can I make this dish less spicy?

Absolutely! Reduce the amount of gochugaru or substitute it with paprika for a milder flavor.

What can I use if I don’t have oyster sauce?

Hoisin sauce or a mix of soy sauce and a little sugar can be a good substitute for oyster sauce.

Is this dish suitable for vegetarians?

Yes, but make sure to use a vegetarian oyster sauce substitute, like mushroom sauce.

Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?

You can prepare the noodles and sauce ahead of time and store them separately. Quickly toss them together in a pan when ready to serve.

Can I freeze this dish?

It’s best enjoyed fresh, but you can freeze it. Thaw and reheat in a skillet, adding a bit of water to refresh the noodles.