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These spicy noodles are loaded with garlic and chili and take less than 10 minutes to cook! Made with simple ingredients, I love this as an Asian-style takeout dinner.
Keen for more vegetarian mains? Try eggplant rollatini, Mediterranean bowls, and sofritas.
If you are anything like me, spicy food is far superior to other foods out there. From hot wings to spicy ramen to Korean spicy noodles, I don’t discriminate!
Whenever I need a quick dinner or crave something spicy and fast, I love to make my go-to dish of spicy Asian noodles.
Table of Contents
Why I love this recipe
- Easy to make. The entire cooking time is less than 10 minutes, and barely any prep is required.
- Budget-friendly. This recipe uses everyday ingredients that you probably have in your pantry as we speak. Oh, and noodles are one of the cheapest grains available.
- Versatile. You can serve them hot, cold, or at room temperature; these noodles are versatile and taste good either way.
- Easy to customize. While delicious on their own, these work as a blank canvas, so add some protein, different veggies, or even some toasted nuts.
Ingredients needed
This recipe uses simple and easy ingredients. You probably have everything already in your pantry and if not, we can find them at any basic grocery store. Here is what you’ll need:
- Noodles. Any thick noodles are best, as they absorb sauces/flavors so much better. I typically use rice noodles.
- Low sodium soy sauce. You can use tamari instead if following a gluten-free diet.
- Dark soy sauce. A richer and more robust flavored soy. A little goes a very long way, so use it sparingly.
- Sesame oil. A must for any good Asian dish.
- Water.
- Vegetable oil. Or any neutral-flavored oil.
- Garlic. Minced.
- Green onion. Sliced to separate the whites from the greens.
- Red chilies. Decide the spice level you want and then choose accordingly.
- Bean sprouts. These should be shiny and white with yellow tips.
- Sesame seeds, green onions, and red chilies. To decorate
How to make spicy noodles
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1- Prepare the spicy noodle sauce: Take a small bowl, add sesame oil, dark soy sauce, soy sauce, water, and sugar, and mix until combined.
Step 2- Cook noodles: Next, boil the noodles as per their instructions. Once cooked, drain them and set them aside.
Step 3- Saute aromatics: Place a large skillet on medium-high heat and add some vegetable oil. Once hot, add the white portion of the green onion, garlic, and red chili, and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes.
Step 4- Combine everything together: Add the noodles and sauce to the skillet and cook until the noodles are fully coated with the sauce. Then, turn the temperature to high heat, add bean sprouts, and cook for another 3 minutes. Add green onions, and cook for 2 minutes or until the onions are wilted.
Step 5- Garnish. Serve with sesame seeds, sliced green onions, and red chilies on top.
How to make these more or less spicy
When made as written, these noodles are spicy enough to give your tastebuds a kick without being overpowering! If you’d like them to be spicier, add some chili sauce (I love sriracha and gochugaru), add extra chopped chilis, or sprinkle red chili flakes.
Too spicy? Dial back the spice by cutting the chili sauce in half and/or omitting the fresh chilies. You can also serve your noodles with a dairy product to help combat the heat.
Recipe variations
As I mentioned earlier, what makes this dish such a winner is how easy it is to customize. It seriously works as a clean-out-the-fridge kind of meal, and you can (mostly) add whatever you like to it. Here are some ideas:
- Add protein: Chopped chicken breast, beef strips, shrimp, and even tofu are all fantastic options.
- Use different noodles: Swap out the rice noodles for udon noodles, buckwheat noodles, ramen noodles, or brown rice noodles.
- Switch up the vegetables: Toss through some bok choy, mushrooms, cabbage, broccoli, carrots, and/or cauliflower.
- Change the sauces: For a sweeter kick, add some black bean or oyster sauce. We also love swapping out the spice for some sweet chili sauce.
How to store leftovers
To store: Place leftover noodles in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to one week.
To freeze: Place the cooked and cooled noodles in a shallow container and store them in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Reheating: You can reheat them in the microwave for 30-40 seconds or in a non-stick pan (or skillet).
More spicy recipes you’ll enjoy
Spicy Noodles
Video
Ingredients
- 1 pound rice noodles
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons dark soy sauce
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 6 cloves garlic sliced
- 4 stalks green onion sliced
- 3 small red chilis
- 1 cup bean sprouts
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds to serve
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, dark soy sauce, sesame oil, water, and sugar until combined.
- Cook noodles as per instructions and set aside.
- Add the vegetable oil to a large skillet and place over medium-high heat. Once hot, add garlic, the white part of the onion, and chili. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes.
- Add the noodles and pour the sauce over it and mix until the noodles are fully coated. Add the bean shoots and cook for 3 minutes.
- Add the rest of the green onion and cook for a further 2 minutes, or until they are wilted.
- Remove the noodles off the heat, sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
Originally published August 2022, updated March 2024
Great!
What kind of red pepper is that? Could I use jalapeños or more red pepper flakes? This looks SO good!
Yes absolutely- it’s such a flexible recipe so any kind of chilli or spice works!
I don’t think I’ll try any other recipe. Loved it
I love spicy noodles!
Hello! Looks delicious. If using Tamari, just double up with a total of 6 TBS?
Yes 🙂
Thus recipe looks tasty but the directions say to whisk the soy sauces, sugar and sesame Oil with the water. There is no amount of water in the list of ingredients? Did you forget to add the water? If so, please can you tell me how much water to add? Thank you. Will definitely try this sauce.
Hi 1/4 cup of water, sorry!
Can you add meat to this too
Absolutely!
Simplicity and healthy eating at its best, We love it😛