10+ Asian Noodle Recipes to Spice Up Your Weeknight Dinners

Asian noodle recipes really bring a world of flavors and textures to your table. You can whip up something quick with simple ingredients, and it still feels special.

These recipes give you easy ideas to create tasty noodle dishes that match your mood. Whether you want something light or you’re craving something heartier, there’s an option here.

Ingredients

• Noodles (ramen, spaghetti, or rice noodles—whatever’s handy)
• Soy sauce
• Sesame oil
• Vegetables (bell peppers, carrots, broccoli, or whatever’s in the fridge)
• Protein (chicken, tofu, shrimp, or beef, if you want)

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the noodles following the package.
2. Heat oil in a pan over medium (about 350°F / 175°C).
3. Toss in vegetables and protein, cook until they’re tender.
4. Stir in the cooked noodles.
5. Add soy sauce and sesame oil, cook for 2-3 minutes.
6. Serve hot. Enjoy.

1) Garlic Sesame Noodles

Garlic sesame noodles are honestly one of the easiest dishes to throw together. The sauce—garlic, soy sauce, toasted sesame oil—makes it taste way fancier than it is.

Use any noodles you like, ramen or brown rice noodles both work. This dish can be a main or a side, and you can toss in veggies or protein if you want to bulk it up.

All you really need are a few pantry staples. The noodles cook fast, and the sauce is ready in minutes.

Ingredients

• 12 ounces noodles (ramen, brown rice, or whatever you’ve got)
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 to 1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce or tamari
• 1-2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• Optional: sliced bell peppers, carrots, broccoli

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook noodles as the package says. Drain, set aside.
2. Heat vegetable oil in a pan over medium. Add garlic, cook until fragrant, about a minute.
3. Stir in soy sauce and sesame oil, mix it up.
4. Add noodles, toss until evenly coated.
5. Add veggies if you’re using them, cook until just tender.
6. Serve warm.

For a quick guide, peek at this Garlic Sesame Noodles recipe.

2) Chili Garlic Noodles

Chili garlic noodles are spicy, garlicky, and come together in about 10 or 15 minutes. Chili oil and loads of garlic make these noodles seriously bold.

It’s simple, but the flavors pop. Use thick or rice noodles, and toss them in a sauce of garlic, chili oil, soy sauce, and just a hint of sweetness.

Adjust the heat to your liking—add more chili if you want to feel the burn. Fresh herbs and sesame seeds on top make a nice finish if you’re feeling fancy.

Ingredients

• 8 oz noodles (rice or thick wheat)
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1-2 tbsp chili oil
• 1.5 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 green onion, chopped
• Sesame seeds (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook noodles, drain, set aside.
2. Heat chili oil in a pan over medium (about 350°F / 175°C).
3. Add garlic, sauté until golden, about a minute.
4. Stir in soy sauce and sugar, mix well.
5. Toss noodles in, stir to coat.
6. Sprinkle with green onion and sesame seeds. Serve warm.

Want more? Check out Cookerru’s chili garlic noodles recipe.

3) Peanut Butter Noodles

Peanut butter noodles are super comforting and come together fast. The sauce is just peanut butter, soy sauce, honey, and a bit of ginger—sweet, salty, and a little zingy.

Add veggies or chicken if you want it heartier. It’s great when you want something warm but don’t feel like spending ages in the kitchen.

You can eat these noodles hot or cold. They’re perfect for a speedy lunch or a lazy dinner after a long day.

Ingredients

• 8 oz noodles (spaghetti or rice noodles)
• 1/3 cup peanut butter
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tsp grated fresh ginger
• 1 tbsp sesame oil (optional)
• 1/4 cup warm water
• Veggies or cooked chicken (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook noodles as usual.
2. In a bowl, mix peanut butter, soy sauce, honey, ginger, and water until smooth.
3. Drain noodles, toss with sauce.
4. Add veggies or chicken if you’re using them. Serve warm or chilled.

Try this easy peanut butter noodle recipe if you want more details.

4) Red Curry Noodles

Red curry noodles are a favorite when you want something creamy with a little kick. You can keep it vegan, or add chicken or tofu for extra protein.

The sauce is red curry paste and coconut milk, so it’s rich and a bit spicy. These noodles cook fast, usually under 30 minutes.

Toss in fresh veggies like bell peppers, carrots, and snap peas. You get color, crunch, and a meal that feels a bit special.

Ingredients

• 8 oz rice noodles
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 2 tbsp red curry paste
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 bell pepper, sliced
• 1 carrot, julienned
• 1 cup snap peas
• 8 oz tofu or chicken (optional)
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• Fresh cilantro for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook rice noodles, drain.
2. Heat sesame oil in a pan over medium (about 350°F / 175°C).
3. Add garlic, sauté for a minute.
4. Stir in curry paste and coconut milk, simmer 5 minutes.
5. Add veggies and protein, cook until just tender.
6. Toss in noodles, mix well.
7. Top with cilantro.

More details? Here’s a red curry noodles recipe.

5) 15 Minute Lo Mein

Lo Mein is the go-to when you’re hungry and don’t want to wait. Ramen or spaghetti noodles work, and you can toss in any veggies or protein you have.

The sauce is just soy sauce, sesame oil, and a little sugar. Boil the noodles, stir-fry your veggies and protein, then mix it all together.

It’s also the perfect way to use up random leftovers. Just toss it all in.

Ingredients

• Ramen or spaghetti noodles
• Soy sauce
• Sesame oil
• Sugar
• Mixed veggies (carrots, bell peppers, broccoli)
• Protein (chicken, shrimp, tofu)

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil noodles until just al dente.
2. Heat sesame oil in a pan.
3. Stir-fry veggies and protein.
4. Add noodles and soy sauce mixture.
5. Toss together, cook for a couple more minutes.

Need more? Here’s a 15 Minute Lo Mein recipe.

6) Soy Sauce Pan-fried Noodles

Soy sauce pan-fried noodles are all about that crispy texture and savory flavor. Cook the noodles until tender, then fry them up so they get a bit crispy.

The sauce is a simple mix: light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, sesame oil, and sugar. Use a hot pan or wok for the best results—quick stir-frying keeps the noodles from getting soggy.

You can find a straightforward recipe here: soy sauce pan-fried noodles recipe.

Ingredients

• 200g noodles (fresh or dried)
• 2 tbsp light soy sauce
• 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup water

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook noodles, drain, set aside.
2. Mix light soy, dark soy, sesame oil, sugar, and water.
3. Heat oil in a pan over medium-high (about 375°F / 190°C).
4. Add noodles, stir-fry 2-3 minutes until a bit crispy.
5. Pour sauce over, toss to coat.
6. Cook another minute or two, then serve hot.

7) Supreme Soy Noodles

Supreme Soy Noodles are super simple and always hit the spot. Light and dark soy sauces give them a deep, savory flavor.

Usually, you’ll pan-fry the noodles until they get a little crisp. Then the sauces and some sugar go in to balance everything out.

A drizzle of sesame oil at the end gives a nice aroma. You can add veggies or protein, but honestly, the basic version is pretty satisfying.

Ingredients

• 200g egg noodles or chow mein noodles
• 1 tbsp light soy sauce
• 2½ tsp dark soy sauce
• 1½ tsp sugar
• 2 tsp oyster sauce
• 2 tbsp water
• Sesame oil, to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook noodles, drain.
2. Heat a pan, fry noodles until slightly crispy.
3. Mix light soy, dark soy, sugar, oyster sauce, and water.
4. Pour sauce over, stir to coat.
5. Drizzle sesame oil on top before serving.

8) Stir-fried Rice Noodle Bowls

Stir-fried rice noodle bowls are super easy and honestly, packed with flavor. First, soak the rice noodles until they’re soft but still a little chewy.

Toss them into a hot pan with fresh veggies—zucchini, green onions, and maybe some eggs or chicken if you’re feeling it. The sauce? Just garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and a splash of sesame oil.

You want to cook everything fast on high heat, so the noodles don’t turn into a sticky mess. In about half an hour, you’ve got a warm, satisfying bowl in front of you.

Throw in your favorite veggies or swap in tofu if you want to keep it vegetarian. It’s a cozy way to get that Asian takeout vibe at home.

Ingredients

• Rice noodles
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Soy sauce
• Sesame oil
• Zucchini
• Green onions
• Eggs or chicken (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Soak rice noodles in warm water until soft, about 10 minutes.
2. Heat sesame oil in a wok or pan over medium-high heat.
3. Add garlic and ginger, stir-fry for 1 minute.
4. Toss in vegetables and protein, cook until tender.
5. Add drained rice noodles and soy sauce, stir-fry 2-3 minutes.
6. Push noodles aside, scramble eggs (if using) in the pan.
7. Mix everything together and serve hot.

For more tips, check out this Asian noodle bowls recipe.

9) Sheet-Pan Japchae

Sheet-Pan Japchae is a clever shortcut for the classic Korean noodle dish. You throw noodles and veggies on a sheet pan and let the oven do the work.

Sweet potato noodles, spinach, mushrooms, and bell peppers all roast together. Just drizzle olive oil over everything, sprinkle some salt, and you’re good.

While the noodles soak up the flavors, the whole thing gets a little caramelized in the oven. It’s hard not to love a meal that’s this hands-off.

Ingredients

• 4 ounces sweet potato noodles
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
• ½ medium carrot, julienned
• 2 scallions, cut into thirds
• 3 cups fresh spinach
• 4 ounces mushrooms, sliced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt, to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Spread spinach, mushrooms, and peppers in separate sections on a large sheet pan.
3. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle salt over everything.
4. Roast for 15 minutes until vegetables soften.
5. Meanwhile, cook sweet potato noodles according to package instructions, then drain.
6. Add noodles and carrots to the sheet pan, toss gently, and roast for another 5 minutes.
7. Pull it out, scatter scallions on top, and serve warm.

For the full recipe and video, see Sheet-Pan Japchae Recipe.

10) Honey-Glazed Udon Mushrooms

Honey-glazed udon mushrooms are simple and honestly, kind of irresistible. You cook mushrooms with honey and butter, and the glaze gets sweet and savory all at once.

Toss those mushrooms with thick, chewy udon noodles. Garlic and soy sauce add a punch of flavor, and if you’ve got some Napa cabbage or greens, throw them in for crunch.

This one comes together fast, making it a solid weeknight dinner in my book.

Ingredients

• Udon noodles
• Mushrooms (such as shiitake or cremini)
• Honey (about 2 tablespoons)
• Butter (about 3 tablespoons)
• Garlic (2 cloves, chopped)
• Soy sauce (1-2 tablespoons)
• Napa cabbage or greens (optional)
• Scallions (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Toss some butter into a pan and heat it over medium. Aim for about 350°F (175°C), but honestly, I just go by feel.

2. Throw in the garlic and mushrooms. Let them sizzle until the mushrooms get soft and a bit golden.

3. Drizzle honey right over those mushrooms. Give everything a good toss so they’re nicely glazed.

4. Add the udon noodles and pour in the soy sauce. Stir it all together—make sure the noodles get coated.

5. If you’re using napa cabbage or any greens, mix them in now. Let them cook for a minute or two, just until they wilt.

6. Take the pan off the heat. Top it all with scallions if you’re feeling fancy, and serve it up.

If you want to dig deeper, check out more honey-glazed udon mushroom recipes here.