Gochujang Noodles
Vegan Gochujang Noodles with a spicy-and-savory sauce and vegetables, ready in just 30 minutes!
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 10 minutes mins
Total Time 30 minutes mins
Course Dinner, Side Dish
Cuisine Korean-Inspired
Servings 3 servings
Calories 453 kcal
large frying pan
pot
Chopsticks
Udon Noodles
- 16 ounces fresh udon noodles (see Note 1 for subs)
Gochujang Sauce
- 3 tablespoons gochujang (see Note 2)
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (use tamari for GF)
- 2 tablespoons mirin (or rice vinegar)
- 1.5 tablespoons organic brown sugar (see Note 3)
- 1 tablespoon gochugaru (optional)
Aromatics and Vegetables
- 1 heaping tablespoon neutral-flavored oil
- 1 bunch scallions (whites and light greens chopped into 1-inch pieces, dark green tops sliced thinly on a bias, reserved for garnish)
- 4 cloves garlic (finely chopped)
- 1 inch piece ginger (grated or minced)
- 6 to 8 cups Napa cabbage or bell peppers (thinly sliced, see Note 4)
- 0.25 cup roasted white sesame seeds (32g)
Finishing
- Thai basil leaves (or fresh cilantro, chopped)
- toasted sesame oil (for drizzling)
Cooking Instructions
Cook the noodles according to the package, but cook for a minute less to avoid a soggy dish. For fresh udon noodles, add to a pot of boiling water and cook for 1 minute; use a chopstick to loosen the noodles from their bundle and cook for another 30 seconds.
Scoop out some noodle water, then drain the noodles.
Make the sauce. Whisk together the gochujang, toasted sesame oil, soy sauce, mirin or vinegar, sugar, and gochugaru if using. Set aside.
Cook the aromatics. Heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Once shimmering, add the scallion whites and greens, garlic, and ginger (and bell pepper, if using). Season with a pinch of salt and cook for 1 to 2 minutes over medium-high heat. If using Napa cabbage, add it now; season with a pinch of salt, and stir-fry for 3 minutes, or until it reduces in size and is tender but not soft.
Add in the gochujang sauce and the sesame seeds and allow to sizzle. Add in the cooked noodles and use tongs to coat them in the sauce. If it feels dry, add a spoon or two of noodle water to bring the sauce together (more likely the case when using dry noodles; fresh udon noodles usually don’t need the water). Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, or until the sauce clings to the noodles.
Off the heat, stir in the Thai basil and a drizzle of toasted sesame oil.
Serving: 1servingCalories: 453kcalCarbohydrates: 67gProtein: 11gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gSodium: 850mgPotassium: 500mgFiber: 4gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 1000IUVitamin C: 20mgCalcium: 100mgIron: 2mg
Keyword Gochujang Noodles, Noodle Bowl, spicy, Udon Noodles, Vegan, Vegetarian