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My spicy noodles recipe is packed with garlic and chili and cooks in under 10 minutes. Made with simple ingredients, they make a fabulous takeout-style Asian dinner.
If you’re anything like me, spicy food is far superior to most other foods. Whenever I need a quick dinner or crave something spicy and fast, I love to make my go-to dish of spicy Asian noodles.
It features tender noodles tossed through a pleasantly spicy sauce and loaded with fresh vegetables. They are one of my family’s favorite weeknight dinners, coming together in minutes but tasting like something from an authentic Chinese restaurant.
Table of Contents
Why I love this recipe
- Easy to make. The entire cooking time is under 10 minutes, with minimal preparation required.
- Budget-friendly. This recipe utilizes everyday ingredients that you likely have on hand in your pantry. 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.
If you love all things noodles, try my curry noodles, spicy Korean noodles, spicy ramen, or Pad See Ew next.
★★★★★ REVIEW
“I make these spicy noodles for my family at least once a week. It’s ridiculously easy to make “ – Suzanne
Ingredients needed
- Noodles. Any thick noodles are best, as they absorb sauces and flavors much better. I typically use rice noodles, but udon noodles are also a great option.
- Dark soy sauce. A richer and more robust flavored soy. A little goes a very long way, so use it sparingly.
- Low-sodium soy sauce. Because we are using dark soy sauce, I like to balance it out with a less-salty soy.
- Sesame oil. Added more for flavor than for the cooking process. Like the dark soy sauce, this needs to be used sparingly.
- Vegetable oil. To pan-fry the noodles. Any neutral-flavored oil is fine.
- Garlic. Freshly minced.
- Green onion. Sliced to separate the whites from the greens.
- Red chilies. Determine the spice level you prefer and then add these 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
This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.
Step 1- Prepare the spicy noodle sauce. Add sesame oil, dark soy sauce, soy sauce, water, and sugar to a bowl and mix well.
Step 2- Cook noodles. Boil the noodles as per their instructions. Once cooked, drain them and set them aside.
Step 3- Saute aromatics. Add some vegetable oil to a skillet. Once hot, add the white portion of the green onion, garlic, and red chili, and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes.
Step 4- Combine. Add noodles and sauce to the skillet, stirring until coated. Add bean sprouts and green onions and cook until wilted.
How to make these more or less spicy
When made as written, these noodles are spicy enough to kick your taste buds without being overpowering. If you’d like them to be spicier, consider adding chili sauce (I love sriracha and gochugaru), extra chopped chilies, or sprinkling 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 a winner is its ease of customization. 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.
Storage instructions
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 Asian dinner recipes
If you tried this Spicy Noodles recipe or any other recipe on The Big Man’s World, please rate the recipe and let me know how it went in the comments below. It really helps others thinking of making the recipe.
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 and republished April 2025
Do you maybe know the Chinese webshop for grocceries where I could order these?
These are the best spicy noodles ever!
Can I try with other pasta or it must be noodle?
Never buy noodlea in shop, really need to for this
Recipe!
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😛