Sizzling Gochujang Noodles Recipe: Spicy Comfort in Every Bite

Tangy and bold gochujang noodles dance with unexpected flavor combinations that surprise your palate.

Korean chili paste brings incredible depth to this simple dish.

Comfort meets excitement in each twirled bite of these spicy noodles.

Home cooks can easily master this vibrant recipe with basic ingredients.

Weeknight dinners suddenly become extraordinary when you introduce this zesty creation.

Layers of umami and heat promise a memorable meal that breaks through ordinary cooking routines.

Grab a fork and get ready to experience a culinary adventure that will become your new favorite go-to recipe.

Why Gochujang Noodles Are So Spicy & Good

• Quick Weeknight Rescue: Whip up this gochujang noodle dish in under 20 minutes, perfect for busy families craving a fast, delicious meal without complicated cooking skills.
• Flavor Explosion: Packed with bold Korean-inspired gochujang sauce, this recipe delivers a spicy-sweet punch that transforms ordinary noodles into an exciting culinary adventure.
• Customizable Comfort: Easily swap proteins, adjust spice levels, and mix vegetables to match your family's preferences, making it a versatile dish that adapts to everyone's taste buds.
• Nutritious One-Pan Wonder: Combines protein, vegetables, and complex carbohydrates in a single skillet, providing a balanced meal that's both satisfying and wholesome with minimal cleanup required.

Gochujang Noodle Ingredients

Main Ingredients:

Noodles: Provides the base for the dish, choose Asian wheat or rice noodles for authentic flavor.

Gochujang: Korean red chili paste that gives a spicy and sweet kick, essential for the recipe’s signature flavor.

• Soy Sauce, Sesame Oil: Creates depth and umami flavor, look for high-quality Asian brands.
• Honey, Rice Vinegar: Balances the spiciness with sweetness and tanginess, use pure honey for best results.
• Garlic, Ginger: Adds aromatic complexity and traditional Asian flavor profile.

• Bell Pepper, Carrot, Bok Choy: Fresh vegetables that provide crunch and nutrition, choose crisp and colorful produce.
• Protein (Optional): Chicken, tofu, or shrimp work well, select based on dietary preferences.

• Sesame Seeds, Green Onions: Adds texture and fresh visual appeal, sprinkle just before serving.
• Neutral Oil: Used for cooking vegetables and protein, choose vegetable or canola oil.

Gochujang Noodles Spicy Prep Guide

Step 1: Boil Noodles

Grab a large pot and fill it with water.

Bring the water to a rolling boil.

Drop in the noodles and cook them exactly as the package recommends.

Once they’re perfectly tender, drain the noodles and set them aside.

Step 2: Whip Up Spicy Sauce

• Gochujang paste
• Soy sauce
• Sesame oil
• Honey
• Rice vinegar
• Minced garlic
• Grated ginger

Whisk everything together until the sauce looks smooth and glossy.

Taste and adjust the flavors to your liking.

Step 3: Sizzle Protein and Veggies

Heat a large skillet or wok with a splash of neutral oil.

If you’re using protein, cook it first until it’s fully done.

Remove and set aside.

• Bell peppers
• Carrots
• Bok choy

Stir-fry these veggies for 2-3 minutes until they’re slightly crisp and vibrant.

Step 4: Mix and Marry Flavors

Pour the cooked noodles and spicy sauce into the pan with the vegetables.

Toss everything together until the noodles are completely coated.

If the sauce seems too thick, splash in a bit of the reserved noodle water to create a silky consistency.

Add the cooked protein back into the mix and stir well.

Step 5: Plate and Garnish

Sprinkle sesame seeds and chopped green onions over the top.

Drizzle a bit more sesame oil for an extra flavor punch.

Serve immediately and enjoy your mouthwatering creation!

Gochujang Noodles Spice Tips

• Toss noodles thoroughly in the gochujang sauce to ensure every strand gets maximum flavor coverage.
• Swap proteins easily between tofu, chicken, shrimp, or beef to match your dietary preferences or pantry availability.
• Adjust gochujang quantity to dial heat up or down, allowing personalized spiciness for different taste tolerances.
• Cut vegetables into uniform sizes for consistent cooking and optimal texture in the final dish.
• Keep reserved noodle water handy to thin sauce if it becomes too thick, maintaining perfect sauce consistency.

Gochujang Noodles That Stay Hot and Tasty

• Store leftover Gochujang Noodles in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, keeping the sauce and noodles together to maintain flavor and texture.
• Warm noodles in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water or broth to prevent sticking and restore moisture, stirring frequently until heated through.
• Reheat in short 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to distribute heat evenly and prevent drying out, typically taking 1-2 minutes total.
• For best results, consume within 2 days and avoid freezing, as noodles can become mushy and lose their original texture when frozen and thawed.

Easy Sides for Gochujang Noodles

Spice Up Your Plate: Perfect Gochujang Noodles Pairings

• Cool Down with Kimchi Slaw: Crisp, tangy kimchi coleslaw balances the spicy noodles, adding refreshing crunch and complementary Korean flavors.
• Pour Korean Rice Wine: Smooth, slightly sweet makgeolli cuts through the gochujang's heat, creating a harmonious taste experience that cleanses the palate.
• Match with Cucumber Banchan: Light, pickled cucumber side dish provides a cool contrast to the warm, spicy noodles, enhancing the overall meal's complexity.
• Embrace Crisp Lager: Refreshing, cold Korean or light beer neutralizes the dish's fiery notes, offering a smooth drinking companion that won't overpower the meal's rich flavors.

Gochujang Noodles – Extra Kick Ideas

• Vegan Gochujang Noodles: Replace protein with tofu or tempeh, use maple syrup instead of honey, and ensure all sauce ingredients are plant-based.
• Gluten-Free Gochujang Noodles: Swap wheat noodles for rice noodles or gluten-free pasta, use tamari instead of soy sauce, and check gochujang for gluten-free certification.
• Protein-Packed Gochujang Noodles: Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or beef for extra protein, increasing the nutritional value and making the dish more filling.
• Low-Carb Gochujang Zucchini Noodles: Substitute traditional noodles with spiralized zucchini noodles, reducing carbohydrate content while maintaining the bold gochujang flavor profile.

FAQs

• What is gochujang and why is it important in this recipe?

Gochujang is a Korean red chili paste that adds a spicy, sweet, and umami flavor to the dish. It’s the key ingredient that gives these noodles their signature tangy and slightly hot taste.

• Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

Absolutely! Simply skip the meat and add tofu or extra vegetables like mushrooms or edamame for protein. The sauce and vegetable base work perfectly for a vegetarian version.

• How spicy are these noodles?

The spice level depends on the amount of gochujang you use. Start with less and add more to taste. If you’re sensitive to heat, begin with a smaller amount and gradually increase to find your perfect spice level.

• Do I need special equipment to make this dish?

No special equipment is needed. A basic pan or wok, a pot for boiling noodles, and some simple kitchen tools are all you’ll need to create this delicious meal.

Gochujang Noodles Recipe

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4.8 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 2 1x

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Description

Spicy Korean Gochujang Noodles dance with bold flavors, bringing fiery chili heat and silky noodle comfort to your plate. Rich umami sauce coats tender noodles, inviting you to savor an unforgettable culinary adventure from Seoul’s remarkable street food scene.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) udon, ramen, or rice noodles
• 1/2 cup (75 grams) protein of choice (tofu, chicken, or shrimp) (optional)
• 1 bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 medium carrot, julienned
• 1 cup (85 grams) bok choy, chopped

Sauce Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons gochujang (adjust to taste)
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil, plus more for garnish
• 1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated

Garnish and Cooking Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon neutral oil (such as vegetable or avocado oil)
• 1/4 cup reserved noodle cooking water (as needed)
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, for garnish
• 2 green onions, chopped, for garnish

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Instructions

1. Prepare a large pot of water and submerge noodles, cooking until they reach an al dente consistency. Carefully drain and reserve the cooking liquid.
2. Craft a vibrant sauce by blending gochujang, soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, rice vinegar, minced garlic, and grated ginger in a mixing vessel. Taste and fine-tune the flavor profile for optimal balance.
3. Select a spacious skillet or wok and warm neutral oil over medium-high heat. If incorporating protein, sear until completely cooked through, then transfer to a separate plate.
4. Introduce bell peppers, carrots, and bok choy into the heated pan, sautéing rapidly to maintain a crisp-tender texture and preserve their vibrant colors.
5. Pour the prepared sauce over the vegetables, then gently fold in the cooked noodles, ensuring each strand is thoroughly coated with the spicy, umami-rich mixture.
6. If the sauce appears too thick, incorporate a small amount of reserved noodle water to create a silky, glossy consistency.
7. Reintroduce the cooked protein into the pan, stirring to distribute evenly and heat through.
8. Elevate the dish’s visual appeal and flavor by sprinkling toasted sesame seeds and finely chopped green onions. Finish with a delicate drizzle of sesame oil.
9. Transfer to serving plates immediately and enjoy the harmonious blend of textures and flavors.

Notes

• Choose fresh, high-quality gochujang for a more authentic and vibrant flavor profile that elevates the entire dish.
• Customize protein options by swapping between tofu, chicken, shrimp, or beef depending on dietary preferences and nutritional needs.
• Adjust sauce spiciness by increasing or decreasing gochujang quantity, allowing flexibility for heat-sensitive palates.
• Boost vegetable nutrition by adding extra seasonal vegetables like mushrooms, spinach, or zucchini for increased texture and wellness benefits.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Korean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2
• Calories: 430
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 63 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg