You can make a big bowl of comforting spicy noodles in just 10 minutes. A flavour packed chilli and garlic noodle sauce stirred into your favourite noodles is comfort food in no time at all. Simple and delicious!
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A quick and easy meal when you want something comforting, but don't want to spend ages cooking it. This spicy noodle recipe is vegan, but easy to adapt with so many noodle toppings that you never have to have them the same way twice.
If you love food with a kick of heat, then you are going to LOVE these spicy noodles with an easy noodle sauce made with chilli sauce, soy sauce and sesame oil.
Looking for some other quick and easy meals? Why not try our Microwave Pasta, Air Fryer Salmon, Pizza Bagels or Paneer Curry? Take a look at our Meals Under 20 Minutes.
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Why You Will Love It
- Quick - These spicy ramen noodles are ready in under 10 minutes. Comfort food doesn't have to take a long time.
- Easy - This noodle recipe couldn't be easier. Just cook the noodles and stir in the sauce.
- Adaptable - Use this chilli and garlic noodle recipe as a guide and then adapt it with your favourite vegetables and protein. We have give lots of suggestions below.
- Healthier - Whilst a packet of noodles with soy sauce and chilli sauce isn't going to be the most nutritious meal out there, it is a healthier alternative to ordering takeout. You can control exactly how much oil and soy sauce goes into it, and it's a great opportunity to add lots of extra vegetables that you wouldn't usually get when ordering noodles.
Ingredients and Substitutions
A full ingredients list, along with US Customary and Metric measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Noodles - The great thing about this spicy noodles recipe is that any noodle goes! Don't buy anything special, just use what you have. We have use ramen noodles, but we also like soba noodles or udon for something thicker.
- Shallots - This is the base of the recipe and adds a nice sweetness. You could swap it for a small brown onion or even a red onion.
- Garlic & ginger paste - This is what helps these spicy noodles to be so quick. No need to peel, dice and crush ginger and garlic - just use a paste. We always have this in our fridge to make quick curries and noodle dishes. You can find it in the world food aisle of supermarkets.
- Olive oil - You need a neutral oil to cook the shallots, garlic and ginger in. You could use vegetable oil instead.
- Sesame oil - This adds a lovely nuttiness to the noodle sauce.
- Soy sauce - This gives the saltiness and umami to the sauce. If you want a real deep and intense flavour, then make sure to use the dark soy sauce in this recipe. However, you can use just light or reduced salt soy sauce if you prefer - you just won't have the same flavour. If you haven't cooked with dark soy sauce before, use a little first, taste it, and then add more if you like as it is very salty. Remember, you can always add more, but you can't take it back out. We like to use a mixture of light and dark.
- Sweet chilli sauce - This mixed with the soy sauce gives a lovely sweet and salty balance.
- Sriracha - This is for an extra kick of spice. Feel free to swap it for your favourite spicy sauce though. You could even use red chilli flakes.
- Spring onions (scallions) - This adds a nice crunch on top.
- Coriander (cilantro) - These really lighten up the Chinese spicy noodles and add some freshness.
- Cashews - Another way to add some extra texture.
Variations
We have kept this recipe very very basic. Just the noodles and sauce. However, that doesn't mean that there aren't lots of other ways to adapt it.
Protein - Not every dish has to be protein packed, but if you do want to give this recipe a protein boost, then the easiest way to do that is either crack an egg into it and mix well, kind of like egg fried rice, or even serve a runny fried or poached egg on top when serving.
You could also add shredded leftovers chicken, like from our Easy Roast Chicken recipe or add slices of cooked steak for something really special. Salmon and prawns (shrimp) also work well and if you want to keep this vegan then some pan fried tofu is the perfect addition.
Vegetables - We think some quick cooking Asian greens like pak choi (bok choy) go perfectly with these spicy garlic noodles and it can be fried at the same time as the noodles. You could also add spinach, kale or Swiss chard for a green boost.
If you want to add a bit of chunky texture to it, then slice up some baby portobello mushrooms and fry them at the same time as the onions.
You could also add some slices of baby corn, bean sprouts, bell peppers, courgette (zucchini), aubergine (eggplant) or thinly sliced carrot sticks which would add lots of colour. Basically, any vegetable that you would find in a stir fry would work well in this.
How to Make Spicy Noodles
- Step 1: Add the noodles to boiling water and cook according to the packet instructions.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, combine the sesame oil, soy sauce, sweet chilli sauce and sriracha. Mix well and set aside.
- Step 3: Heat the olive oil and add the shallots and the white part of the spring onions. Cook for 3 minutes.
- Step 4: Add the garlic and ginger paste and mix well to combine.
- Step 5: Drain the noodles and add to the pan. Mix well. Pour over the sauce and mix again.
- Step 6: Serve topped with the spring onion greens, chopped coriander and chopped cashews (all optional).
Serving Suggestions
As well as the added protein and vegetable options that we have given you above, you might want to serve these spicy noodles with some side dishes. We love putting our Air Fryer Gyoza on top of these noodles.
If you want a veggie side dish, then our Roast Pak Choi, Air Fryer Broccoli, Air Fryer Mushrooms, Balsamic and Garlic Roasted Cauliflower or Roasted Garlic and Herb Mushrooms go well.
If you want more of a salad side dish, then we can 100% recommend our Crunchy Asian Slaw or Carrot and Coriander Side Salad to go with these noodles.
Dannii's Top Tips
- If you want to add some extra sweetness to this, then you could add a squeeze of honey to the sauce. We don't find that it needs it, as we use sweet chilli sauce. But if you use a different chilli sauce, like just Sriracha, then you might want the honey.
- To make this gluten free, you can use gluten free noodles and make sure there is no cross contamination.
- To make these noodles less spicy, just adjust the amount of chilli sauce that you use.
Frequently Asked Questions
These are always best eaten fresh and that's easy to do because this recipe is so quick. However, if you do have leftovers of this, then you can store them in an air tight container in the fridge for 24 hours. To reheat, simply add them to a hot pan and heat through. Make sure they are piping hot before serving.
We wouldn't recommend freezing these noodles as the texture wouldn't be good after they defrost.
These noodles are not meant to be drowning in sauce. There is meant to be enough so that it clings to the noodles. However, you can always make more sauce if you want, but we think that would be too salty.
As long as the noodles you are using are vegan and all the extras you are adding are vegan too, then this can be a vegan noodle dish.
More Noodle Recipes
If you've tried this spicy noodle recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
Chilli Garlic Spicy Noodles
Ingredients
- 100 g (3.5 oz) Noodles - dried
- 2 Shallots - diced
- 2 tablespoon Garlic and ginger paste
- 3 Spring onions (Scallions) - sliced
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Sesame oil
- 2 tablespoon Soy sauce
- 2 tablespoon Sweet chilli sauce
- 1 tablespoon Sriracha sauce
- Fresh coriander (cilantro) - to garlish
- Cashews - to garnish
Instructions
- Add 100 g Noodles to boiling water and cook according to the packet instructions.
- In a small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon Sesame oil, 2 tablespoon Soy sauce, 2 tablespoon Sweet chilli sauce and 1 tablespoon Sriracha sauce. Mix well and set aside.
- Heat 1 tablespoon Olive oil and add 2 Shallots and the white part of 3 Spring onions (Scallions). Cook for 3 minutes.
- Add 2 tablespoon Garlic and ginger paste and mix well to combine.
- Drain the noodles and add to the pan. Mix well. Pour over the sauce and mix again.
- Serve topped with the spring onion greens, Fresh coriander (cilantro) and chopped Cashews (all optional).
Recipe Tips
- If you want to add some extra sweetness to this, then you could add a squeeze of honey to the sauce. We don't find that it needs it, as we use sweet chilli sauce. But if you use a different chilli sauce, like just Sriracha, then you might want the honey.
- To make this gluten free, you can use gluten free noodles and make sure there is no cross contamination.
- To make these noodles less spicy, just adjust the amount of chilli sauce that you use.
Nutritional Information
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The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.
Caitlin says
This is the most delicious recipe for a quick and filling lunch!
Katherine says
I love that these noodles are not only super flavorful, but ready in no time!
Nikki says
I love the idea of using my favorite noodle with this delicious chilli and garlic noodle sauce. It's a perfect quick meal on a busy weeknight.
Beth says
This recipe is fantastic! It makes a great base for adding favorite veggies or meats. I love it.
Toni says
My family loves spicy, so this was a really huge hit at my house!! Thanks so much for the recipe!
Sisley White - Sew White says
Absolutely delicious and I love how garlicky the finished dish was. Garlic always gets my vote.
Mirlene says
Absolutely delicious flavors! This was so comforting, my son was not happy he couldn't have seconds. I have to make another batch. Thank you so much for this recipe. Well done.
Aimee Mars says
The combination of flavors is incredible. I really enjoy making this too - so easy and straightforward. Adding to our weekly dinner menu.
Janessa says
I just whipped up these noodles for a quick lunch and they were so tasty!!