We love a saucy, slurpy noodle dish and this recipe for spicy ramen is just that and then some. It’s also a merging of cultures featuring authentic Ramen noodles (Japanese wheat noodles) and a spicy Korean-inspired gochujang sauce that seriously packs a punch. The vibrant orange sauce is bold and bursting with the potency of gochujang, onion, garlic, ginger and toasted sesame. 

noodles, lime, onion, sauce, ginger, oil, garlic and cilantro arranged on a countertop

Ingredient Notes

Ramen Noodles

Look for varieties of ramen noodles sold by themselves—just noodles with no seasoning packet. In the test kitchen we like the brand Hakubaku. You can find ramen noodles at your local Asian market, Whole Foods or online at Amazon

Gochujang 

Gochujang is a Korean chili paste. It can be found in any Asian market or near the Asian sauces in most grocery stores. You can also find it online at Amazon. Look for gochujang sold in red rectangular plastic containers—our favorite brands are O’Food or Chung Jung One

Hoisin

Also known as peking sauce, hoisin is a thick reddish-brown sauce that’s both sweet and savory. It’s largely used in Chinese cooking, so it’s not a traditional Korean ingredient. However, the combination of soybean, garlic, chiles, and spices make it a great addition to our gochujang-based sauce. Look for Hoisin in any Asian market or the Asian section of your local grocery store. You can also purchase it online on Amazon.

ramen noodles coated in a red sauce in a large white bowl topped with cilantro

Test kitchen tips

  • This sauce shouldn’t just be relegated to noodles—use it as a marinade and sauce for grilled chicken or shrimp. Or make Korean Steak and Eggs by serving this sauce over pan-seared streak, fried eggs and rice. 
  • If you want to make this ahead of time, you can make the sauce up to 3 days in advance. As written, we recommend using some of the starchy noodle cooking water to blend up the sauce. If you’re making this ahead of time, simply use some hot water instead. 

How to Serve Spicy Ramen Noodles

  • Top each serving of these noodles with a crispy chicken cutlet, sliced scallions and cilantro. 
  • Make one of our favorite meals—Crispy Tofu Noodles with Pickled Cucumbers.
  • Top servings with a soft fried egg.
  • Make this a light lunch by adding some steamed broccoli, carrots and sliced snap peas. 
ramen noodles coated in a red sauce in a large white bowl with two forks

FAQs

Can I use 25-cent Ramen noodle packages instead of the noodles you recommend?

Our test kitchen hasn’t tested this recipe using the coily noodles we all love and adore of packaged ramen noodle meals. However, if you ditch the seasoning packet (save it for a future batch of homemade ramen) and cook the noodles according to the package. You’ll need four 3-ounce packages of ramen noodles. 

Can I make the sauce ahead of time?

Yes, you can make it up to 3 days ahead of time. The recipe calls for using ½ cup of hot noodle cooking water for blending the sauce. You can substitute with hot water. Store the blended sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator. 

How else can I use gochujang?

We’ve got tons of recipes on ZK that use gochujang! One of our most popular recipes, Gochujang Noodles, is a delicious way to sneak in some veggies. We’ve also got two great Gochujang meatball recipes—one for Gochujang Turkey Meatballs and another for Korean Beef Meatballs. And if you love a sheetpan dinner, check out our Gochujang Chicken with Crispy Rice. 

Spicy Ramen Noodles

5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Yield 4 servings
Category Side Dish
Cuisine Japanese, Korean

Description

These spicy ramen noodles are saucy and loaded with the flavors of gochujang, onion, garlic and ginger. Enjoy them on their own or top them with fried tofu, crispy chicken or a fried egg.

Ingredients

  • 1 (9.5–10 ounce) package dry ramen noodles (Japanese wheat noodles), such as Hakubaku
  • 1 small onion or ½ large onion, cut into chunks (about 1 cup)
  • 2–3 tablespoons gochujang, depending on spice preference
  • 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
  • 1 large clove garlic
  • 1 (2-inch) knob ginger

Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Season water with salt then add noodles and cook 1 minute less than specified by package instructions. Reserve 1 cup noodle cooking water; drain noodles and add back to pot.
  • Add onion, gochujang, hoisin, lime juice, toasted sesame oil, garlic, ginger and ½ cup reserved noodle cooking water to a blender. Blend on high until completely smooth, about 1 minute.
  • Pour sauce into pot with noodles and toss gently to coat. Place over medium-low heat and cook just until warmed through. Adjust consistency with addition pasta cooking water as needed; season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Serve with cilantro and a drizzle of toasted sesame oil.

Notes

The sauce can be made up to 3 days ahead of time. To do so, use hot water instead of reserved noodle cooking water. 
Leftovers will last up to 4 days stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat in the microwave covered with a damp paper towel or on the stove top with an extra drizzle of toasted sesame oil or a pat of butter. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1/4 of recipeCalories: 330kcalCarbohydrates: 59gProtein: 10gFat: 5.5gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 295mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6g
Like this? Leave a comment below!I love hearing from you and I want to hear how it went with this recipe! Leave a comment and rating below, then share on social media @zestfulkitchen and #zestfulkitchen!
ramen noodles coated in a red sauce in a large white bowl topped with cilantro

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About The Author

Lauren Grant is a professional culinary food scientist, food writer, recipe developer, and food photographer. Lauren is a previous magazine editor and test kitchen developer and has had work published in major national publications including Diabetic Living Magazine, Midwest Living Magazine, Cuisine at Home Magazine, EatingWell.com, AmericasTestKitchen.com, and more.

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