These Garlic Chili Oil Noodles could not be easier to put together. With the right choice of noodles the entire dish can be easily assembled in under 5 minutes! The amazing speed with which this recipe can be made makes it perfect for quick lunches or dinners in a hurry. But don’t be confused, these noodles taste so amazing you will want to have them even if they did take much longer to prepare!
Ingredients in Chili Oil Ramen
Noodles– I used packaged ramen noodles to make this dish. I chose those for two reasons, first, I really like how the sauce works with these noodles to create a light, flavorful dish. Second, the ramen noodles take only three minutes to cook making it possible to prepare the entire recipe in five minutes or less. If you would prefer to substitute a different noodle, you will need about 8 ounces of noodles to substitute for the two packages of ramen noodles. Spaghetti would be a good substitute if you must.
Chili Oil– the chili oil provides a large portion of the flavor of the garlic chili oil noodles so you will want to make sure you use one that actually has a really good flavor. This is the one I use which has a great flavor, has kept well and is rather inexpensive. I highly recommend it if you enjoy making this or other Asian-inspired dishes or for any dish where you may want to add a bit of extra heat.
Garlic Powder-I highly recommend using garlic powder instead of regular garlic to make these noodles. I feel the garlic powder flavor is more evenly distributed throughout the dish than regular garlic would be. Also, as the sauce for the garlic chili oil noodles is not cooked, using garlic powder helps to avoid any unpleasant raw garlic flavor that could result from using regular garlic instead of garlic powder.
Chicken Bouillon– I used better than bouillon for this. If you prefer to keep the dish vegetarian, you could substitute vegetable broth.
Parmesan Cheese-for this you want to use grated parmesan cheese, the type that comes in a (typically) green can and is sold shelf-stable and not parmesan cheese that is either pre-shredded or freshly shredded off the block.
Crushed Red Pepper Flakes-optional to top. Omit the red pepper flakes if you want to avoid excess heat.
What are ramen noodles?
Ramen noodles are a type of Japanese noodle made from wheat flour, salt, water, and an alkaline mineral water called kansui. The dough is typically rolled and cut into thin, curly noodles, which are then boiled and served in a hot soup broth. The soup broth can be made with a variety of ingredients, including soy sauce, miso, pork bone, chicken, or fish stock, and can be flavored with various seasonings and toppings such as sliced pork, dried seaweed, boiled eggs, green onions, and more. Ramen noodles are a popular and affordable fast food in Japan and have gained worldwide popularity due to their delicious taste and versatility.
What is Chili Oil?
Chili oil is a spicy, flavorful oil made by infusing hot chili peppers with oil, typically soybean or sesame oil. The chili peppers are typically dried, crushed, and then heated in the oil to release their spicy and aromatic flavors. Other ingredients such as garlic, ginger, and spices may also be added to the mixture to enhance the flavor.
Chili oil is a common condiment in many Asian cuisines, particularly Chinese and Japanese. It is often used as a dipping sauce for dumplings, noodles, and other dishes, and can also be used as a cooking ingredient to add spice and depth to various dishes. The level of spiciness can vary depending on the type and amount of chili peppers used, and some varieties may also include other ingredients such as Sichuan peppercorns or fermented soybeans to create unique flavor profiles.
Other than Chili Oil Ramen, what are some other uses for chili oil?
Chili oil is a versatile condiment that can be used in a variety of ways to add spice and flavor to dishes. Here are some common uses for chili oil:
- As a dipping sauce: Chili oil can be used as a dipping sauce for dumplings, spring rolls, or other appetizers. You can also mix chili oil with soy sauce or vinegar to create a dipping sauce with more complex flavor.
- In stir-fries: Add a spoonful of chili oil to a stir-fry dish to give it some heat and flavor. It pairs particularly well with dishes that feature vegetables or noodles.
- In soups: A few drops of chili oil can add some heat and complexity to soup dishes such as noodle soups or hot and sour soup.
- As a marinade: Chili oil can be used as a marinade for meats, tofu, or vegetables. The oil will infuse the food with flavor and can also help tenderize tougher cuts of meat.
- In salad dressings: Use chili oil as an ingredient in salad dressings to give them some heat and flavor. It pairs particularly well with Asian-inspired salads that feature ingredients such as cabbage, carrots, and peanuts.
Overall, chili oil is a great condiment to have on hand for adding some spice and flavor to a variety of dishes.
How to Make Chili Oil Ramen Noodles
Herein lies the true beauty of these garlic chili oil noodles. Simply prepare the noodles as directed and drain. Toss with the remaining ingredients and serve.
Can Garlic Chili Oil Ramen be prepared in advance?
Absolutely. While one of the best parts of this recipe is how quickly it can be prepared, it is also good to know that these noodles keep very well. Store leftover, or prepared in advance, noodles in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. While leftover noodles can certainly be enjoyed cold, they are best when warm. Extra noodles can easily be re-heated in the microwave and served again.
Dishes similar to Chili Oil Ramen:
Instant Pot Hibachi Vegetables just like the veggies at your favorite hibachi grill but made super fast and easy with the help of a pressure cooker. These vegetables would also make an amazing side dish for your garlic chili oil noodles.
Vegan Buddha Bowls are perfect for when you are craving a light veggie-packed dinner or lunch that is still super easy to prepare.
This Kung Pao recipe swaps the traditional chicken for tofu for a vegan and vegetarian friendly version of the dish that is super easy to prepare and keeps great making it ideal for meal prep or make ahead.
Pad Thai is another great noodle based dish. This version cooked in the Instant Pot is super simple to make and tastes like a restaurant favorite.
If you like the heat of the garlic chili oil noodles, you will also also love these Spicy Peanut Noodles which are every bit as easy to prepare.
Hibachi Fried Rice tastes EXACTLY like it came from your favorite restaurant. Our simple pot hack allows you to prepare this rice with absolutely the minimum effort possible.
Chili Oil Ramen
Ingredients
- 2 packages ramen noodles seasoning packs discarded
- 2-3 Tablespoons chili oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon chick bouillon
- 2 Tablespoons grated parmesan
- crushed red pepper flakes optional
Instructions
- Cook the noodles according to package directions. Stir in the remaining ingredients and serve immediately.
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