difficulty
Beginner
Servings
2 servings
Prep time
10 min
Cooking time
10 min
Calories
740 kcal
I love recipes like this because they honestly feel like the perfect late-night comfort food after a long day in the kitchen. They’re quick to make, packed with flavor, and always way more satisfying than ordering takeout.
The spicy garlic noodles with the caramelized beef and crunchy onions just have that perfect mix of cozy, spicy, savory, and slightly messy that makes them impossible not to crave again.
Why You’ll Love These Noodles
These noodles have the perfect mix of spicy, savory, crispy, and comforting flavors. The garlic chili sauce coats the noodles perfectly, while the caramelized beef adds richness and the crunchy onions make every bite way more satisfying.
Ingredients
- Beef:
- 250 g ribeye or sirloin steak
- Salt & pepper
- Garlic powder
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- Oil for cooking
- Garlic Chili Noodles:
- 200 g noodles
- 3 garlic cloves (minced)
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp chili oil
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- Extras:
- Green onions
- Sesame seeds
- Crispy onions
- Optional Toppings:
- Soft boiled egg
- Kimchi
- Bok choy
- Fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Slice the beef thinly and season lightly.
- Toss with cornstarch.
- Cook in a really hot skillet until caramelized and crispy around the edges.
- Cook the noodles separately.
- Sauté garlic briefly in oil.
- Stir in soy sauce, chili oil, honey, and sesame oil.
- Toss the noodles through the sauce.
- Top with the crispy beef.
- Finish with green onions, sesame seeds, crispy onions, and toppings before serving.
Nutrition per serving
- Protein: ~41 g
- Fat: ~37 g
- Carbohydrates : ~58 g
- Fiber: ~4 g
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Meal Prep
These noodles are honestly really good for meal prep because the sauce keeps the noodles flavorful and glossy even after reheating.
You can prep the noodles and sauce ahead, but I’d personally cook the beef fresh if possible because it stays much crispier and juicier that way. The crispy onions are also best added right before serving so they keep their crunch.
Tips
- Slice the beef as thinly as possible so it cooks quickly and stays tender
- Cornstarch helps create those crispy caramelized edges on the beef
- Avoid overcrowding the pan or the beef will steam instead of getting crispy
- Fresh garlic gives the sauce a much deeper flavor
- Extra crispy onions make the noodles way more satisfying texture-wise
- A little chili oil on top adds even more richness and heat
Variations
- Chicken version: Use crispy chicken instead of beef
- Extra spicy version: Add more chili oil or fresh chili peppers
- Seafood version: Use shrimp instead of beef
- Vegetarian version: Use crispy tofu or mushrooms
- Ramen version: Swap regular noodles for ramen noodles
- Egg version: Add a soft boiled or fried egg on top
- Vegetable version: Add bok choy, broccoli, or mushrooms
- Korean-inspired version: Add kimchi and extra gochujang sauce
FAQ
Ramen noodles, udon noodles, egg noodles, or rice noodles all work really well. I personally love slightly thicker noodles because they hold the garlic chili sauce better.
Cornstarch helps the beef get those crispy caramelized edges while still staying tender inside.
Usually the noodles weren’t rinsed properly or didn’t get enough sauce after cooking.
Cook it quickly over really high heat and avoid overcrowding the pan.
You can, but I personally think a really hot skillet gives the beef much better caramelized edges.
Recipe by vino
I love this recipe because it honestly feels like the perfect late-night comfort meal after a busy shift. Rich, spicy, comforting, and ready in under 20 minutes without feeling rushed or boring.
The glossy garlic chili noodles with the crispy beef and crunchy onions just hit every single time, especially when I want something that tastes way more restaurant-style than the effort it takes.
