Description
This Easy Saucy Ramen Noodles recipe features quick-cooking instant ramen noodles tossed in a flavorful, thickened soy-based sauce with your choice of sautéed vegetables, tofu, or mushrooms. The dish balances sweet, sour, salty, and spicy elements for a satisfying and customizable meal that’s perfect for a speedy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 servings dry instant ramen noodle cakes (around 140 g total)
Sautéing
- 10 oz extra-firm tofu, veggies, or mushrooms of choice, sliced
Sauce
- 1 cup water or vegetable broth
- 5-7 tbsp soy sauce (adjust to taste)
- 1.5 tsp dark soy sauce (optional, for color)
- 2-3 tbsp cornstarch
- 1-3 tbsp sugar, maple syrup, or other liquid sweetener (adjust for sweetness)
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar, white vinegar, or lemon juice (adjust for sourness)
- 1/4 tsp ground pepper
- 1/2 tbsp chili garlic sauce or other hot sauce (optional for spice)
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (optional)
For Serving
- Chopped scallions
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: In a bowl, mix all the sauce ingredients including water or vegetable broth, soy sauce, dark soy sauce, cornstarch, sweetener, vinegar or lemon juice, ground pepper, chili garlic sauce, sesame oil, and minced garlic until well combined. Adjust the sweetness, saltiness, sourness, and spice levels to your liking. Set the sauce mixture aside.
- Cook the Noodles: Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add the instant ramen noodles and cook them until just half-done, about 2-3 minutes less than the package instructions recommend. Drain the noodles and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and remove excess starch. Set aside.
- Sauté the Veggies or Protein: Heat a pan over medium-high heat and add a little oil. Add the sliced tofu, vegetables, or mushrooms and sauté until cooked through and tender, based on your preference.
- Cook the Sauce: Stir the prepared sauce mixture again to ensure the cornstarch hasn’t settled. Pour the sauce into the pan with the sautéed ingredients. Simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens to a glossy consistency.
- Combine with Noodles: Add the cooked noodles to the pan and toss well to coat the noodles evenly with the thickened sauce. Cook together for an additional 3 minutes to allow the noodles to fully absorb the sauce flavors.
- Adjust Seasoning and Serve: Taste the dish and adjust seasoning as needed by adding more soy sauce, sweetener, or ground pepper. Garnish with freshly chopped scallions and sesame seeds. Serve immediately hot.
Notes
- You can customize the protein by using tofu, a variety of fresh vegetables, or mushrooms.
- Adjust the sweetness, sourness, and spice levels of the sauce to suit your taste preferences.
- Rinsing the noodles after boiling helps to stop cooking and reduces stickiness.
- Use dark soy sauce for color but it is optional and can be omitted for a lighter sauce.
- This dish is quick to prepare, making it ideal for busy weeknights.
