Gochujang Noodles

If you like spicy and you like noodles and you need something to hold you over until you can make another trip to the grocery store, then this recipe is exactly what you need! These noodles are such a yummy, flavor-packed entree that everyone seems to love.

Gochujang paste is a Korean condiment made with fermented rice and spicy red chilis. So delicious! You can buy a tub of gochujang paste for between 8 and 10 bucks on Amazon. Or you can go to your local Asian market, and they may have it for cheaper. One tub lasts a long time and you can use it to flavor so many recipes!

This noodle recipe is super simple and uses only pantry staple ingredients that you most-likely already have, so you can put off grocery shopping another day. Yay! It also takes only about 15 minutes to make, with super minimal prep required. I think that sounds like something we all can use right now!

RECIPE

Serves about 3-4 depending on serving sizes:

• 1 -16 oz. package noodles (you can use ramen noodles, soba noodles, chow mein noodles, or even plain old spaghetti noodles if that’s what you have)

• Chopped veggies (optional) -Kale, green onion, red peppers, broccoli, etc. It might sound weird but kale is suuuuper good in this dish! It soaks up all the sauce and tastes amazing!

Sauce:

• 3-4 cloves minced garlic (depending on how much garlic you like)

• 1 T oil (I like using sesame)

• 2-3 T gochujang Korean chili paste **see note

• 1/3 c. soy sauce

• 2-3 T maple syrup

• 1-2 T rice vinegar or lime juice (optional)

**Note: Every brand of gochujang paste is different in regards to spice level, and the paste will lose its heat the longer it sits in your fridge. I give an approximate measurement here, but use more or less depending on how much spice/flavor you prefer.

PREPARATION

Cook noodles according to package instructions. Rinse with cool water and set aside.

Sauté veggies in a large pan or wok until crisp-tender. Set aside.

In the same pan, heat your sesame oil and garlic until fragrant. Add the remaining sauce ingredients and simmer for a couple minutes, until heated through and bubbling.

Add your noodles to the pan and toss in the sauce over the heat.

**Please note that different types of noodles require different sauce ratios, depending on the thickness of the noodle. For example, I have found that thicker spaghetti noodles need more sauce than thinner ramen noodles. You may need to pour your sauce into a bowl and add gradually to taste, especially if you are sensitive to salt. The sauce recipe here generally works with most thicker noodle varieties.

Finally, add your veggies and toss everything together. Remove from heat and serve. I love adding extra sliced green onion and sesame seeds on top! Enjoy!