Cooking your favourite dishes at home may seem somewhat overwhelming. There are always so many steps to take that you’d rather order a meal instead of making it.
However, what if we tell you that there are recipes you can cope with in less than 10 minutes? Just like Korean Gochujang noodles, for example. You’ve definitely seen this spicy dish somewhere on Instagram. If you haven’t tried to cook it yet, there is so much you’re missing out.
Don’t worry, you’ve landed on the right page because we are here to provide you with the super-easy Gochujang noodles recipe and useful tips.
So, get ready! You are about to make sure that cooking can be so much pleasure.
How to Make Gochujang Noodles
Before we start, let’s make it clear what Gochujang is. It is a Korean red chilli paste that has a thick texture and spicy taste with some slight sweetness.
It is a star of our recipe today that creates a perfect balance when used with other ingredients.
Even though the preparation steps are not too complicated, it's better to know the exact ingredients and steps before you start. This way, you’ll manage to cook a truly authentic dish. So, let’s find out how to make spicy Korean noodles or Gochujang noodles.
Ingredients:
- 1 packet of instant udon noodles
- 1 tbsp Gochujang
- 1 tsp gochugaru
- 1 ½ tbsp peanut butter
- 1-2 tbsp chopped spring onions
- ½ - 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- 2-3 tsp minced garlic
- 2 tsp brown sugar
- 1tbsp lime juice
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 ½ tbsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp light soy sauce
Instructions
As you can see, all the ingredients for this recipe can be found in any grocery store. You won’t have any difficulties getting them. And once you have all the products, you can jump to the Korean Gochujang noodles preparation steps.
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Step 1:
Cook the instant udon noodles according to the instructions on the packaging. After that, drain them and leave them to cool.
We also recommend preserving some of the water since it will come in handy in the further steps.
By the way, you can use not only ramen but also any other noodles you prefer. Udon, for example, will do just fine. You are the one to choose here.
Step 2:
Take a heat-proof bowl and mix sesame seeds, garlic, spring onions and gochugaru there.
Step 3:
Heat the sesame oil and once it is hot, add it to the prepared mixture. Set it aside for a few minutes to sizzle and add rice vinegar, peanut butter, Gochujang, lime juice, brown sugar and light soy sauce.
Step 4:
Carefully stir the ingredients and check the taste of this sauce. It is the step where you can tune the flavours by adding more of the preferred ingredients.
If you want the dish to be spicy hot, just add some more Gochujang. Or you can play around with some other ingredients to create a perfect taste.
Step 5:
Add the drained noodles and a little bit of the preserved water to the mixture. Stir everything thoroughly and the dish is ready to be served. Sprinkle it with chopped spring onions to add extra freshness.
And there you go! It just couldn’t be easier. Except for the steps we’ve just described, you are free to alter some of them according to your liking. Using this Gochujang noodles recipe as a draft, you can create your unique spicy Korean noodles variation.
How to Reheat Gochujang Noodles
The brilliance of Gochujang sesame noodles is that you can eat them both warm and chilled. However, noodles tend to dry out over time. So you might want to know how to reheat them properly.
That being said, there are two optimal ways to reheat Gochujang noodles.
Reheat Gochujang Noodles in the Microwave
Obviously, the option you can easily go for is a microwave. It is a quick option that doesn’t require any extra effort. Just press the button and enjoy warm noodles in 2 minutes or even less.
But we suggest adding some water before reheating the dish to loosen the sauce and achieve a juicer texture.
Reheat Gochujang Noodles in the Saucepan
Another variant is to reheat Gochujang noodles in a saucepan. You just have to take a pan, add the leftovers there, and cook on medium heat for about 2-3 minutes.
Don’t forget to add some water too just like in the case with a microwave. This method will preserve as much flavour and aroma as possible and won’t let your noodles dry out.
How to Store Gochujang Noodles
When it comes to storing Gochujang noodles, there are also two options to consider. Let’s have a look.
Store Gochujang Noodles in the Fridge
The best option is of course a fridge. Put the leftovers in the airtight container and you’ll be able to store the noodles for about 3 days.
It’s not recommended to eat them after this time passes, not only because the dish goes bad. When the noodles dry out too much it is quite hard to bring their original flavour and fragrance back.
Store Gochujang Noodles in the Freezer
Alternatively, you can freeze the leftover Gochujang noodles and store them for up to 3 months. That’s a lot. But it’s very unlikely that this dish will preserve its original taste and structure after such a long time. Thus, it’s better to make a new batch of these Korean spicy noodles to experience the full range of flavours and textures it offers.
So, this is how you cook Korean Gochujang noodles in the comfort of your kitchen. It was quite easy, wasn’t it?
We recommend you give this recipe a shot since it’s just one of many Korean cuisine perks you can explore. And since you already know how to make Gochujang noodles, you can surprise your loved ones with this delicious dish and enjoy it together.
FAQ
Is gochujang just chilli paste?
Gochujang is a spicy red chilli paste with a thick texture and distinctive taste. At the same time, gochugaru is ground chilli pepper. So it’s neither sauce nor paste.
Sometimes people tend to confuse these two products because the words sound similar. Even though Gochujang and gochugaru are both crucial for Korean cuisine, you should know the difference to choose the proper ingredients for your recipes.
Does Gochujang go with ramen?
Yes, gochugaru goes perfectly well with ramen. But this is not it. You can use any other type of noodles you like, for instance, udon, zucchini or egg noodles, etc. The options are countless here and you are free to choose the best one to your liking.
Is Gochujang too spicy?
The level of Gochujang’s spiciness is somewhat mild to medium. With slight notes of sweetness, this paste is not too piquant. But don’t let that confuse you, the heat is still here.
However, a lot depends on a particular brand. So pay attention to the packaging while shopping, since the level of spiciness is usually marked there.
While cooking Gochujang noodles, you can regulate the amount of this chilli paste. If you want the dish to be milder, use just half of the recommended amount. Alternatively, if you want to spice things up, you are free to add more Gochujang.
