These 15 minute spicy udon noodles are tossed in a homemade chili garlic sauce and full of flavor. They are perfect for an easy weeknight dinner!
This is one of my favorite easy dinner recipes. It is perfect if you are looking for something quick and easy to make for dinner and is made almost entirely out of items I keep in my pantry.
This recipe goes well with my Ginger Sesame Tofu and my Vegan Summer Rolls.
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Reasons You Will Love This Recipe
- Vegan: We don't use any meat, dairy, or eggs in this recipe which makes it perfect if you are following a vegan or vegetarian diet.
- Easy Recipe: This recipe takes only 15 minutes to make, has simple ingredients, and has just a few easy-to-follow instructions.
- Perfect for Meal Prep: These noodles stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to four days in a closed container.
Ingredient Notes
Udon noodles: I used pre-cooked, packaged udon noodles for convenience in this recipe.
Garlic: Use freshly minced garlic rather than jarred garlic to get the best, freshest flavor.
Chili oil: The chili oil is where the dish gets the majority of its spicy flavor. I can typically find this chili oil in the International section of my grocery store.
Maple syrup: This ingredient is important to help balance all of the spice in this recipe.
Soy sauce: You can use classic soy sauce or low sodium soy sauce based on your personal taste and preferences.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and quantities.
Substitutions & Additions
Make it gluten-free: You can make this recipe gluten-free by substituting the soy sauce for tamari sauce and by swapping the udon noodles for a gluten-free noodle.
Adjust the spice level: If you want to make this dish spicier you can add an extra tablespoon of chili oil.
On the other hand, if this is too spicy you can cut the amount of chili oil in half to make it more mild.
Add protein: Simply add your favorite protein such as tofu to this recipe if you're looking for an extra protein boost.
Thin out the sauce: If you want a little more sauce, simply add 1 tablespoon of water at a time. You can also double the sauce recipe and pour in the amount you would like to use.
Step by Step Instructions for Spicy Udon Chili Garlic Noodles
These chili garlic noodles are so easy to make following these simple instructions.
Step 1: Start by mixing together all of the ingredients for the sauce and set it aside for now.
Step 2: Mince the garlic and grate the ginger root. Pour the sesame oil into the pan and warm it over medium-low heat for a minute or two. Once it is warm add the ginger and garlic.
Allow them to cook for a minute or two or until they become fragrant. Watch them closely and do not let them burn.
Step 3: Pour the sauce into the pan and mix it with the ginger and garlic. Add the pre-cooked udon noodles to the pan and cover it with the lid. Allow it to cook for several minutes while covered.
This will help gently break apart the udon noodles.
Step 4: Remove the lid and remove the pan from the heat source. Gently toss the noodles with the sauce until well coated. Thin out the sauce if needed by adding 1 tablespoon of water at a time.
Plate and garnish with any topping that you like best.
Optional Toppings
I love this recipe as-is but adding toppings can be a great way to get some extra flavor, texture, and make it even more visually appealing. These are my recommendations for toppings:
- Green onions
- Cilantro
- Crushed red pepper flakes
- Sesame seeds
- Chopped peanuts or cashews
Expert Tips
- Make the sauce first: This is important because we cannot allow the garlic to burn in the pan. By ensuring that the sauce is ready to go, we can pour it into the pan as soon as the garlic is finished cooking.
- Make extra sauce: If you like extra saucy noodles, I recommend doubling the sauce portion of the recipe. Then you can add in exactly as much as you like. If you don't double the sauce recipe but want the sauce to be a little thinner, add 1 tablespoon of water at a time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Traditionally, udon noodles are made using flour, salt, and water.
This dish can be stored in the refrigerator in a closed container for up to four days. I like to add 1 tablespoon of water when I reheat them because sometimes the sauce gets absorbed in the noodles the longer they sit in the fridge.
You can reheat these spicy udon noodles in the microwave or on the stovetop. Make sure you add one tablespoon of water when reheating them.
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Spicy Chili Garlic Udon Noodles
Ingredients
- 14 oz udon noodles
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 6 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tablespoon ginger freshly grated
Chili Garlic Sauce
- 3 tablespoon soy sauce low sodium
- 3 tablespoon water
- 2 tablespoon chili oil
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
Optional Toppings
- 1 tablespoon green onions
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- ¼ teaspoon sesame seeds
Instructions
- Mix together all ingredients for the sauce and set it aside.
- Pour the sesame oil into a pan and heat it over medium-low heat until it is warm. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the sesame oil and allow them to cook for about a minute or until fragrant.
- Pour the sauce into the pan and mix it with the ginger and garlic.
- Place the packaged, pre-cooked udon noodles in the pan and cover the pan. Allow the noodles to cook for 2-3 minutes. They will gently break apart during this time. Remove the lid and gently toss them in the sauce.
Laura says
Hi - I'm assuming I can sub the maple syrup with brown sugar? How much should I use? Thanks!
Kelsey says
Hi Laura! You can absolutely make that substitution. I would use 1 tbsp 🙂