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Gochujang Noodles

Enjoy something delicious and satisfying with this easy-to-make recipe.

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 3
Calories: 437 kcal
Course: Side Dish , Dinner

Ingredients

  • 16 ounces (450g) 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 ½ tablespoons organic brown sugar (see Note 3)
  • 1 tablespoon Gochugaru (optional)
Aromatics and vegetables
  • 1 heaping tablespoon neutral-flavored oil
  • 1 bunch (about 6) scallions, whites and light greens chopped into 1-inch pieces (dark green tops sliced thinly on a bias, reserved for garnish)
  • 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 1- inch piece ginger, grated or minced
  • 6 to 8 cups (or handfuls) thinly sliced Napa cabbage (250g) OR 2 medium bell peppers, thinly sliced (see Note 4)
  • ¼ cup (32g) roasted white sesame seeds (see Note 5)
Finishing
  • A few handfuls of Thai basil leaves (or fresh cilantro, chopped)
  • A drizzle of toasted sesame oil

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. 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.
  2. Scoop out some noodle water, then drain the noodles.
  3. Make the sauce. Whisk together the gochujang, toasted sesame oil, soy sauce, mirin or vinegar, sugar, and gochugaru if using. Set aside.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. Off the heat, stir in the Thai basil and a drizzle of toasted sesame oil.

Notes

  • This is equivalent to about 24 ounces (680g) frozen udon noodles, or 8 to 9 (230 to 250g) ounces of dried udon or wheat noodles of choice.
  • Prefer only moderate heat? Use 2 tablespoons of gochujang instead.
  • If using rice vinegar instead of mirin, use 2 tablespoons of sugar, as mirin is slightly sweet. You can sub with coconut sugar as needed but I don’t recommend a liquid sweetener like maple syrup or agave, as it will thin out the sauce.
  • Or, you can use a combination of both Napa cabbage and bell peppers, like we did in this photo (4 cups shredded cabbage + 1 bell pepper).
  • If your sesame seeds aren’t roasted, toast them first for the best flavor. To do so, heat a frying pan over medium heat. After a minute or two, add the raw sesame seeds. Toss occasionally until lightly golden, 3 to 4 minutes.

Nutrition Information

Calories 437kcal (22%) Carbohydrates 69g (23%) Protein 12g (24%) Fat 15g (23%) Saturated Fat 2g (10%) Polyunsaturated Fat 6g Monounsaturated Fat 5g Sodium 895mg (37%) Potassium 611mg (17%) Fiber 8g (32%) Sugar 13g (26%) Vitamin A 861IU (17%) Vitamin C 50mg (56%) Calcium 278mg (28%) Iron 3mg (17%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 3Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 437

% Daily Value*

Calories 437kcal 22%
Carbohydrates 69g 23%
Protein 12g 24%
Fat 15g 23%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Polyunsaturated Fat 6g 35%
Monounsaturated Fat 5g 25%
Sodium 895mg 37%
Potassium 611mg 13%
Fiber 8g 32%
Sugar 13g 26%
Vitamin A 861IU 17%
Vitamin C 50mg 56%
Calcium 278mg 28%
Iron 3mg 17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.