Introduction to Chili Garlic Noodles

With my long-standing noodle obsession, I’m sure this recipe is a surprise to no one. I love a good simple recipe that you can whip up in just a few minutes that satisfies your cravings. And that’s what you get with this easy chili garlic noodle dish that takes less than 10 minutes to prepare. I’ve made a few variations of this dish, and this is one of my favorites. The spice and garlic are perfectly balanced with the freshness of the lime juice, and the crunch from the scallions and peanuts.

Also, one of my favorite parts of this recipe is that you customize it with pretty much any type of noodle. I’ve tried it with ramen, maggie, rice noodles, and even spaghetti and it works pretty well. Although, I think ramen works the best and that’s why I recommend it for this recipe.

Breakdown of the Ingredients:

The great thing about this sauce is that it’s simple and customizable. You can adjust the ratio of these ingredients to make the noodles saltier, spicier, or tangier. Although, of course, I do the think the balance with the measurements I’ve provided here is just right!

Notably, I think a lot of people are surprised when I add sugar to my noodle recipes. But, trust me, that touch of sweetness helps to perfectly balance out the rest of the flavors without being overpowering. So, don’t worry, your noodles won’t end up tasting sweet. The sugar will just help to cut the sour element from the lime juice and rice vinegar, and the savory element from the soy and make it even better.

Also, I’m using two different sources of spice here – sriracha and red chili flakes. Keep in mind that if you want the dish to be spicier, that adding sriracha will also add salt. So, red chili flakes might be a better option depending on what you prefer.

Soy sauce
Rice vinegar
Sriracha
Red chili flakes
Brown sugar
Cilantro
Fresh lime juice
Corn starch
Water
Veggie broth
Ramen
Chopped garlic
Oil
Peanuts
Green onions (optional)

Process + Keys to Success:

Add your oil to your skillet and then lightly sauté your garlic. Make sure not to overcook or burn the garlic, or else, the entire dish will taste bitter.
Then add red chili flakes and let simmer for a few seconds before adding in the rest of your sauces – soy sauce, rice vinegar, sriracha, brown sugar, and veggie broth. For the corn starch, mix it with the water to create a smooth mixture and prevent clumping.
Add in cooked ramen (cook according to package instructions) and then mix noodles well with sauce.
Top with lots of fresh lime juice and cilantro. You can also add some green onions and crushed peanuts on top for a crunch!

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