Chili Garlic Noodles Recipe

Praew July 23, 2023 2 Comments

5 / 2 Reviews

This quick and easy spicy noodle stir-fry recipe comes together in no more than 20 minutes.

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Stir-fried chili garlic noodles served in a white dish with a blue border, accompanied by wooden chopsticks.

Chili garlic noodles recipe is perfect for those moments when you crave a quick and easy spicy dish on the table. Make it with your choice of protein, toss in your favorite stir-fried vegetables, and garnish with fresh herbs. Everything comes together with an irresistible savory sauce, this dish is better than anything you’d find at a takeout restaurant!

Close-up of wooden chopsticks lifting chili garlic noodles. The dish also had fried crispy pork belly on the side.

Table of Contents

What is chili garlic noodles

These garlicky noodles are a fusion dish of Asian cuisines, they’re incredibly popular in Asian restaurants in the United States.

And they’re just my definition of comfort food! Tender, garlicky noodles that are easy to customize. I love to throw in my favorite protein – crispy pork belly.

For vegetables, Chinese broccoli, bell peppers, yard-long beans, broccoli, spinach, and mushrooms are all delicious additions.

Stir-fried spicy noodles, garnished with green onions and toasted sesame seeds, served in a white dish. On the side are chopsticks and crispy pork belly.

Everything is coated in a delicious chili garlic sauce with authentic flavor that reminds you of the street food stalls of Southeast Asia.

Do feel free to add your favorite type of protein, this dish is so adaptable. For a vegan or vegetarian noodles dish, toss in some tofu.

Top right corner of a white dish with chili garlic noodles, garnished with scallions and toasted sesame seeds.

What I love about this easy noodle recipe is how quick it comes together, it’s such a delicious, easy weeknight dinner.

Why try this Asian recipe

If you love spicy food, you’ll love this. Chilies and aromatic garlic blend together perfectly, filling up the kitchen with aroma and setting your taste buds ablaze. If you’re not a spice enthusiast, you can simply reduce the amount of dried chilies used in this recipe.
This meal can be enjoyed by everyone. The garlic chili sauce is tossed with traditional seasonings and flavoring ingredients from the Asian kitchen. Everything is well-balanced to create a fulfilling dish which can be enjoyed by anyone.
All people love a versatile meal, and this one is just that. Whether you love crunchy bell peppers, tender broccoli, mushrooms, onions, zucchini, gai lan (Chinese broccoli), bok choy, Thai eggplants, or other vegetables, this stir-fry welcomes them with open arms. Choose your favorite greens and add a rainbow of veggies to make a nutrient-rich dinner. As for protein: pork, chicken, beef, seafood, tofu, shrimp, the choice is yours!

Close-up of stir-fried noodles coated with garlic chili sauce, garnished with sesame seeds and chopped scallions.

What kind of noodles to use

When it comes to the noodles, you have several options to choose from. If you prefer the noodles used in pad Thai, your best option is to choose for wide rice noodles. They’re gluten-free, delicate, smooth, easy to work with, and quick to cook.

Egg noodles are flavorful and chewy, they’re an excellent choice for most Asian noodles dishes. You might recall them from my northern Thai chicken khao soi.

Stir-fried chili garlic noodle dish in a white plate with wooden chopsticks.

Additionally, various wheat-based noodles, such as udon noodles, ramen, lo mein, chow mein, and soba, are all valid and delightful choices.

Mortar and pestle

In the traditional kitchen of Thailand, a mortar and pestle is a daily staple. In this chili garlic noodles recipe, this tool helps us to release the natural flavors, oils, and aromas of the dried chilies and garlic.

The pounded chili garlic paste is the heart of this dish, and it coats the noodles with an irresistible heat.

When preparing this paste, or any other Thai pastes such as massaman curry paste or panang curry paste, I highly recommend using a granite mortar and pestle. If you don’t have one, you can use a food processor.

Ingredients

For the exact measurements, please scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of the page.

Rice noodles – These type of noodles are made from rice flour. I recommend using wide noodles.
Large dried chilies
Dried chilies – Large & regular dried chilies both bring heat and a depth of flavor.
Garlic – The garlic taste is very present in this recipe, feel free to add more or less to taste.
Sesame seeds – They add a subtle nutty flavor and a satisfying crunch, make sure to garnish with more roasted sesame seeds.
Oil – Prevents the noodles from sticking together, I recommend using a neutral flavored oil such as vegetable oil or sunflower oil.
Oyster sauce – Brings a salty and umami flavor to the noodles.
Dark soy sauce – Used in this recipe for enhancing the color.
White sugar – Adding a touch of sweetness is often recommended when making spicy food. Brown sugar can be used as a healthier alternative at a 1:1 ratio.

Step-by-step instructions

This recipe comes together quickly. After cooking the spicy sauce, just toss it with the cooked rice noodles, garnish, and serve!

Total Time: 20 minutes

Use a (granite) mortar and pestle to crush the dried chili peppers into flakes. Next, add garlic and roughly pound the ingredients together. If you don’t have a mortar and pestle, or you want to speed things up, you can use a food processor.
Heat a wok, cooking pot, or skillet over medium heat. Add oil to the pan, followed by the pounded chilies and garlic. Fry for 1 minute. Then, add oyster sauce, white sugar, roasted sesame seeds, and dark soy sauce. Continue cooking for another minute, to let the ingredients blend together. Remove from heat.
Cook the rice noodles following the package instructions. Once cooked, drain.
Transfer the rice noodles to a large mixing bowl. Add the fried paste to the bowl. Toss and mix thoroughly until coated with the spicy sauce. Alternatively, add slices of crispy fried pork belly.

Divide into separate serving bowls. Garnish with chopped green onions and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds.

How to serve

Serve hot from the wok for lunch or dinner. Divide the spicy chili garlic noodles into bowls and garnish with cilantro – chopped green onions – toasted sesame seeds – dried chili flakes – sesame oil – Thai basil – chili oil – or crispy fried garlic.

Optionally, serve with a side of stir-fried vegetables or this refreshing cucumber salad.

How to store

Let your dish cool down to room temperature and then transfer the leftovers to an airtight container. Refrigerate and enjoy within 2–3 days.

To reheat: Use a microwave or reheat on the stovetop in a pan with a splash of water or oil.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ’s)

How spicy are these noodles?

If you follow the exact quantities of the recipe card, these noodles score an 8/10 on the spice-o-scale. However, by adjusting the amount of chilies or removing the seeds, you can control the heat.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes, you can make this recipe in advance. Simply precut the vegetables and your choice of protein, store them in your fridge, and cook everything when you’re ready to eat. Alternatively, you can make the whole dish in advance and reheat when you’re ready to enjoy it, or eat it cold.

Are these noodles vegetarian?

You can turn this into a vegetarian noodle recipe by substituting the oyster sauce for mushroom sauce.

More spicy noodles you’ll love

Isan glass noodles – A delicious and traditional Isan meal, brought to you by my grandmother.
Pad mee korat – A simplified, spicy version of pad Thai.
Thai noodle bowl – A unique recipe that combines the best of Thai flavors in a comforting meal.
Yum woon sen – Thai glass noodle salad with herbs and vegetables.

Did you fall in love with this chili garlic noodles recipe? I’d be thrilled if you would leave a star rating and/or a comment below! And if you’re craving more Thai recipes like this one, make sure to subscribe to my newsletter.

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5 from 2 votes