Garlic Noodles Recipe

Name: Garlic Noodles
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 6 min
Total time: 11 min
Ingredients: 140 Gm Dried Ramen; 2 Tbsp Unsalted Butter; 2 Tbsp Tbsp Garlic, Finely Minced; 2 Tsp Oyster Sauce; 2 Tsp Fish Sauce; 1½ Tsp Maggi Seasoning; ¼ Cup Noodle Cooking Water; ¼ Cup Finely Grated Parmesan; ¼ Cup Green Onion, Thinly Sliced; Cilantro For Garnishing; Salt To Taste

Noodles are my childhood love. So, when Chef Jasbir announced he would be making Asian fusion Garlic Noodles, I was thrilled.

This recipe was made famous by Thanh Long restaurant in San Francisco. Meanwhile, when he made it, the room was filled with the aroma of garlic noodles, and I instantly felt a wave of hunger strike me.

These noodles a perfect blend of Asian and Western flavors. These noodles are tossed with lots of garlic, butter, and umami-loaded sauces that satiate your taste buds.

But do you know what’s the best part? They get ready in under 15 minutes. That’s why I am super excited to share this recipe with you. It will surely make you fall in love with the noodles all over again.

Equipments Required

Chopping Board: You can also use a plastic or steel chopping board, depending on your convenience.
Dutch Oven: While I use a Dutch oven to cook my noodles, you can also use a deep pot.
Saucepan: I use a saucepan to toss my noodles with other ingredients. However, you can also use a wok for the same.
Colander: I use a colander to strain the water from the cooked noodles. You can also use a sieve.
Knife: I use a sharp knife to slice the green onions thinly.

Garlic Noodles Ingredients & Substitutions

Note: The ingredients used in this recipe will help you make two servings.

For Noodles:

140g/ 5oz Dried Ramen: I prefer using ramen in this recipe. However, you can also substitute two noodle cakes.

For Sauce:

30g / 2 Tbsp Unsalted Butter: Though butter will make it tastier, you can use olive oil instead.
2 Tbsp (6 Cloves) Garlic, Finely Minced
2 Tsp Oyster Sauce: This recipe calls for oyster sauce, but I also use Worcestershire sauce as a substitute. Other than that, vegetarian oyster sauce will also help you achieve the same profile.
2 Tsp Fish Sauce: You can also use soy sauce as a substitute.
1 ½ Tsp Maggi Seasoning: If you don’t find this, you can substitute light soy sauce and Asian Worcestershire sauce.
¼ Cup Noodle Cooking Water
¼ Cup Finely Grated Parmesan: I usually like using Pecorino cheese instead of Parmesan. However, you can also use Grana Padano as a substitute.
¼ Cup Green Onion, Thinly Sliced (~1 stem): Leeks can also be substituted for this.
Cilantro For Garnishing: You can also use parsley to garnish the noodles.
Salt To Taste

Preparation And Cooking Time

Preparation Time	Cooking Time	Total Time
5 minutes	6 minutes	11 minutes

How To Make Garlic Noodles At Home

Step 1

Add salted water to a Dutch oven and cook the noodles as per the directions given on the packet. Scoop out ~1/2 cup cooking water. Strain noodles and set aside.

Step 2

Take a saucepan and add 2 tbsp butter to it.

Step 3

Add the noodles and cook, stirring until soft.

Step 4

Next, add cooked noodles to the saucepan.

Step 5

Add parmesan to the noodles in the saucepan.

Step 6

Add oyster sauce, fish sauce, Maggi seasoning, and green onions.

Step 7

Toss until the noodles are all coated, and the sauce is not pooled in the bottom of the saucepan.

Step 9

Transfer the noodles to a serving bowl and garnish it with some more parmesan and some cilantro.

Expert Tips That I Recommend

I always reserve some noodle-cooking water as the starch in the water helps to thicken the sauce, coat the noodles nicely, and enhance the flavor of the dish.
I prefer grating the parmesan on my own as it melts nicely with the noodles in comparison to store bought pre-grated parmesan.
I sometimes add vegetables like carrots, bell peppers, cauliflower florets, and mushrooms to make the noodles healthier.
When you substitute fish sauce or Maggi seasoning with soy sauce, it’s better that you only substitute soy sauce for one of these ingredients as too much soy sauce will lead to losing the flavor of garlic noodles.
Sometimes, I like my noodles a little spicy, so I add chili flakes or sriracha sauce to them.

FAQs About Garlic Noodles

Why are these garlic noodles sticky?

This happens when you haven’t added enough salt to the water while cooking the noodles. The noodles can also get sticky due to high heat exposure. To prevent this, you can add a splash of noodle-cooking water.

Why is the texture of your noodles hard and chewy?

The texture of the noodles can be hard and chewy if your noodles are undercooked. So make sure to cook them properly.

Why are these noodles limp and soggy?

If your noodles are overcooked, they can turn limp and soggy. So, make sure to cook them at the right temperature and time.

How do you prevent noodles from drying out once they are cooked?

Once the noodles are cooked, place them in a bowl and toss it in some oil. Then, cover the pot or bowl with a lid to retain moisture.

Why are your noodles crunchy?

Noodles become crunchy when they turn dry. Make sure to keep them covered and drizzle some oil over them.

Nutritional Information Per Serving

To give you a better understanding of the nutrition of the dish, I have mentioned the nutritional information of this recipe for your reference.

Calories	450 Kcal
Carbohydrates	45g
Protein	14g
Fat	25g
Saturated Fat	14g
Polyunsaturated Fat	2g
Monounsaturated Fat	9g
Trans Fat	0.5g
Cholesterol	41mg
Sodium	2535mg
Potassium	243mg
Fiber	2g
Sugar	2g
Vitamin A	6071U
Vitamin C	5mg
Calcium	203mg
Iron	3mg

Recipe Variations For Different Diets

Vegan Diet: You can replace oyster sauce with mushroom broth made with teriyaki, garlic, and celery, etc. You can also substitute fish sauce for soy sauce and regular parmesan and butter for vegan parmesan cheese and vegan butter.
Keto-Friendly Diet: I replace ramen noodles with Tofu Shirataki noodles, and oyster sauce with Worcestershire sauce or a teriyaki sauce.
Gluten-Free Diet: I use gluten-free noodles instead of regular ramen noodles.
Dairy-Free Diet: Butter and cheese are the two ingredients in this recipe, which are milk-based products. Therefore, lactose intolerant people can substitute butter with olive oil and cheese with vegan parmesan cheese.

Storing And Reheating This Recipe

Storing

Refrigerator: I store the leftovers of my garlic noodles in an air-tight container. They last for up to three days in the fridge.
Freezer: When I want my garlic noodles to last for a longer time, I use freezer bags. I transfer the leftovers of the garlic noodles into a freezer bag, label it with the date, and freeze it. This way, the noodles stay fresh for up to three months. However, it’s important to remember not to freeze them for more than 3 months, as it can alter the texture and taste of the noodles.

Reheat

Microwave: Place the noodles in a microwave-safe container and reheat for 1 to 2 minutes at medium power, stirring in intervals.
Stove: I usually prefer reheating the noodles in a hot pan or wok over medium heat by sprinkling some water. That’s because the texture of the noodles usually changes as they sit in the cold temperature.

What To Serve With This Recipe

While garlic noodles are packed with flavors and can be enjoyed on their own, I prefer them with Chili Potatoes and A Fried Egg on the side. However, noodles truly go well with almost everything.

Therefore, you can pair them with Mochiko Chicken, Grilled Pork, Chinese Fried Lobster, Salmon Belly, Baked Orzo, or shrimp.

If you are looking for vegetarian options, you can serve these noodles with crispy fried vegetables in soy sauce.

Printable Version

More Recipes That You Can Try

lobster_risotto_ — Amazing Lobster Risotto Recipe

Delicious Pisto Manchego — Amazing Lobster Risotto Recipe

Conclusion

If you crave Asian flavors, these Garlic Noodles are sure to satiate your cravings. Quick, simple, and easy are what come to mind whenever I try this recipe.

This dish is also very versatile and can be customized in various ways.

I know you’re here because you love noodles, and I’m sure this recipe will not disappoint you. So, give it a try and share your experience with us in the comments below. Happy cooking!