Description

This Easy Saucy Ramen Noodles recipe offers a quick and flavorful way to enjoy noodles with a deliciously rich, thickened sauce combining soy, vinegar, chili, and sweet notes. Perfectly chewy noodles are sautéed with your choice of tofu, vegetables, or mushrooms in a savory, slightly spicy sauce, topped with sesame seeds and scallions for a satisfying meal that’s ready in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale

Noodles and Protein/Vegetables

2 servings dry instant ramen noodle cakes (or other noodles of choice, around 140 g total)
10 oz extra firm tofu, veggies, or mushrooms of choice (sliced)

Sauce

1 cup water (or vegetable broth)
5–7 tbsp soy sauce (adjust according to taste)
1.5 tsp dark soy sauce (optional, for colour)
2–3 tbsp corn starch
1–3 tbsp sugar, maple syrup, or other liquid sweetener (adjust according to sweetness)
2 tbsp rice vinegar, white vinegar, or lemon juice (adjust according to sourness)
1/4 tsp ground pepper
1/2 tbsp chili garlic sauce
1 tbsp sesame oil
2 cloves garlic (minced, optional)

Toppings

Chopped scallions
Sesame seeds

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Instructions

Prepare the sauce: In a bowl, mix all sauce ingredients thoroughly until combined. Adjust sweetness, saltiness, sourness, and spice to your preference. Set aside. Note that if using a large amount of veggies or noodles, double the sauce to keep it saucy.
Boil noodles: Bring water to a boil in a small pot over high heat. Add the ramen or noodles and cook them halfway – about 2-3 minutes less than package instructions – to keep a chewy bite.
Drain noodles: Drain the noodles and set aside. Optionally, rinse with cold water to stop cooking and remove excess starch.
Sauté protein and vegetables: Heat a pan over medium-high heat and add a small amount of oil. Sauté the tofu, mushrooms, or veggies for a few minutes until cooked to your liking.
Cook the sauce: Stir the sauce well to ensure cornstarch is dissolved. Pour it into the pan with the cooked veggies/protein. Simmer over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring continuously until the sauce thickens.
Add noodles: Add the partially cooked noodles to the pan and toss well to coat evenly with the thickened sauce.
Finish cooking: Cook the noodles in the sauce over medium-high heat for about 3 minutes, allowing the noodles to absorb some sauce and thicken further.
Adjust seasoning: Taste and add more soy sauce, sweetener, or pepper as needed.
Serve: Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped scallions. Serve immediately while hot and enjoy your saucy ramen noodles!

Notes

Use vegetable broth instead of water for a richer sauce flavor.
If you want a gluten-free option, choose gluten-free noodles and tamari instead of soy sauce.
Doubled sauce quantities are recommended if you increase noodles or vegetables to ensure sufficient sauce coverage.
Rinsing noodles after cooking prevents them from becoming mushy when cooked further in the sauce.
Adjust chili garlic sauce quantity based on your preferred spice level.
Optional minced garlic adds extra fragrance and depth to the sauce.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Asian