Spicy, peanutty, noodley bit of super easy comfort food coming your way with these saucy gochujang noodles!
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This was so easy and DELICIOUS. We had it on a weeknight. I was able to find all of the ingredients at our regular big chain grocery store. We’ll be enjoying this again soon.
Summer has summer-ed and the outside shouldn’t hog all the heat for itself, let the sauce have some! Thank you ever so to the subtle heat of the gochujang sauce and rich creaminess of the peanut butter, thank you to the twisty twirls of the little ramen noodle bricks, and bless those piles of fresh herbs on top.
This new pal is so easy to throw together you might just find yourself making it again and again and ok yes sure, why not one more time this week.
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Ingredients For Gochujang Ramen Noodles
A handful of pantry/fridge staples probably already on hand for this baby, but then round up the rest and get ready. We’re using the standard crinkly ramen from the little packages (minus the spice packet) but any stir fry noodles would also work great here!
For the sauce:
- soy sauce
- gochujang sauce or gochujang paste (will be spicier)
- tomato paste
- peanut butter
- brown sugar
- sesame oil
- garlic
- broth or water for thinning
For the noodle paradise:
- ground chicken (ground pork could work too!)
- ramen noodle bricks (just the noodles)
- fresh spinach
- fresh herbs, chili oil, and sesame seeds for topping
The type/brand of gochujang sauce will also determine your spice level. When testing with the P.F. Chang brand, it was definitely on the mild side and was totally kid-able. But other brands like Bibigo packed more heat.
What Is Gochujang?
If you’re not familiar, gochujang — a staple ingredient in Korean cooking with an absolutely delicious lingering heat and strong umami flavor — mixed with some other ingredients like soy sauce, vinegar, and a sweetener. Gochujang itself is a spicy-sweet-savory paste that is made from fermented soybeans, red chile pepper flakes, sticky rice, and salt and it is commonly used to flavor meat dishes, soups and stews, and sauces. You can read a little more about how it’s made and used from Christina Chaey over at Bon Appetit.
For this recipe, we actually used a gochujang sauce which is premixed with other ingredients, mostly because it is almost always available at our local grocery store. But also because it is a little less potent than the paste, closer to a mild sriracha, whereas the paste is thicker and spicier.
If you happen to have the paste, it is definitely a deep and interesting flavor and can of course be used here! But you might consider adding a splash of soy sauce and honey to balance out the flavors.
Let’s Make These Delicious Weeknight Noodles
Easy peasy is the name of the noodle game here so you could definitely whip these up on a weeknight. Or multiple weeknights in a row, should your heart to desire. Let’s get to it.
- Sauce. Whisk the sauce ingredients (minus the extra broth) in a small bowl or just give them all a jar-shake until thick and creamyish.
- Chicken. Get your ground chicken browned up in a skillet and season generously.
- Noodles. Again, we just used the wavy noodle ramen bricks and cooked until softened.
- Magic. Once the chicken is done add your fresh spinach and the cooked/drained ramen, cover in sauce and toss everything over heat to combine. Add extra broth as needed to get to your optimal sauciness.
Serve those noodles piled in a bowl, absolutely showered with fresh herbs, green onions, sesame seeds, maybe a little chili oil. YES.
Just a quick textural note, these noodles will get stickier (still very delicious!) the longer they rest, so you may have to add a little water to loosen things up and get back their silkiness when you’re returning for seconds, thirds, fourths or leftovers.
Subs & Twists for These Noodles
What makes this weeknight dish so fantastic is how customizable it is! Feel free to switch things up with whatever you’ve got on hand or what you’re in the mood for. Here are some options:
- Meat Substitutes: You can easily swap out ground pork or turkey for whatever you prefer—beef, chicken, or even ground lamb.
- Vegetarian Options: Want to make it vegetarian? Try one of these:
- Vegetarian crumbles
- Crispy tofu (use this crispy tofu technique for extra crunch)
- Or, load up with veggies! Think peppers, roasted broccoli, or even mushrooms. The more, the merrier!
- No Gochujang? If you don’t have gochujang sauce or paste, no worries! You can substitute with sambal oelek, sriracha, or any other chili paste you have on hand. Just be mindful of the spice levels as you go!
- Jazz It Up: A noodle dish is nothing without its toppings! Pile on fresh herbs—basil, cilantro, chives, green onions, or all of the above.
And hey, don’t forget the sesame oil, a good squeeze of lime juice, and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds to bring everything together!
Let us know how often you’re making these noodles so we can feel a little less guilty about how often we whip them up. Enjoy, noodle lovers!
Gochujang Noodles: FAQs
How do leftovers hold up?
These noodles make a fantastic leftover meal! The texture may get a bit stickier as it sits, so just add a splash of water or broth to loosen it up and bring the sauce back to life when reheating.
What’s the difference between gochujang sauce and gochujang paste?
Gochujang sauce is pre-mixed, thinner in consistency, and tends to be milder. On the other hand, gochujang paste is thicker, spicier, and more intense. For this recipe, we’re using the sauce to keep things flavorful but not overwhelming.
How can I make this gluten-free?
To make this dish gluten-free, simply swap in rice noodles for the traditional wheat-based noodles. They’ll absorb the gochujang sauce beautifully!
How spicy is this recipe?
Using gochujang sauce provides a moderate kick—flavorful with a bit of heat. If you’re using gochujang paste, expect a more intense spice level. Adjust according to your tolerance!
How can I make this vegetarian?
Skip the chicken and substitute with a vegetarian protein like tofu or your favorite plant-based option. It’ll still be just as satisfying and full of flavor!
