Korean Gochujang Noodles
These spicy noodles have a nice kick from gochujang, and they’re alive with flavor thanks to soy, sesame, lime juice, and peanut butter. Easy, vegetarian, healthy, and ready in minutes.
What’s exactly is gochujang? Gochujang is a spicy-sweet, thick paste made from fermented soybeans, red chile peppers, sticky rice, and salt. It’s a staple in Korean kitchens and used to flavor meat dishes, soups, stews, and sauces. I love how it provides lingering heat and strong umami flavor.
What type of noodles should you use? I used thin spaghetti so each long strand would be laced with flavor. You can use any noodle want, including rice noodles, gluten-free noodles, and/or pasta of choice!
You can add protein to these noodles if you want! For added protein (and to stretch the meal to serve more people), add some cooked chicken, steak, pork, eggs, shrimp, or tofu.
Korean Gochujang Noodles
Ingredients
- 16 ounces noodles of choice, including ramen and rice noodles, I used thin spaghetti
- 1 cup chicken broth, vegetable broth, or water, plus more if needed
- 4 tablespoons soy sauce
- 4 tablespoons gochujang paste
- 3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
- Juice of one lime, about 2 tablespoons
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil, plus more for serving if desired
- 3/4 cup frozen peas, kept frozen until ready to use
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Toasted sesame seeds for serving, optional
- Chopped fresh cilantro for serving, optional
Instructions
- Cook the noodles according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Meanwhile, in a large skillet, whisk together the broth, soy sauce, gochujang paste, peanut butter, lime juice, maple syrup, and sesame oil. Set the pan over medium heat and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- When the noodles have finished cooking, add them to the sauce with the peas. Stir to coat and cook for 1 minute to heat through. Season to taste with salt and black pepper.
- Drizzle with sesame oil if desired, garnish with sesame seeds and cilantro (if using), and serve.