Name: 20-Minute Gochujang Ramen Noodles
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 packet ramen noodle (or udon noodle (use whole wheat for more nutrients)); 1 Tablespoon gochujang; 1 Tablespoon soy sauce; 1 clove garlic (finely minced); ½ teaspoon vegetable oil (I used olive oil); ½ to 1 sprig green onion (thinly sliced); ½ cup tofu (cubed (100 grams)); ¼ cup cherry tomatoes (halved (5 pieces)); sesame seeds (for garnish)

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This easy spicy gochujang ramen noodles recipe keeps things simple & healthy but is absolutely delicious. Can be made with either ramen or udon noodles, making it a versatile recipe. You know what they say — easy to make, easy to love!

Eating spicy gochujang ramen with chopsticks.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

🌶️ Flavor Explosion: The flavor-packed blend of spicy Gochujang sauce with umami soy sauce; they can never go wrong!
🍳 Easy-Breezy
💪 Easy but also Healthy: With whole wheat noodles and fresh veggies, you can make a comforting ramen bowl to be something nutritious too!
🎨 Customizable: Make it your own by choosing your favorite veggies, protein, and level of spiciness.

Ingredients

Whole Wheat Ramen or Udon Noodles: For a hearty and satisfying base.
Gochujang: This spicy Korean chili paste brings a fiery, bold flavor.
- P.S. if you’re a fan of gochujang, also check out my 3-minute Gochujang Aioli or my Gochujang Street Fries recipe!
Soy Sauce: Adds depth and umami.
Garlic: Contributes a fragrant, sharp kick.
Vegetable Oil (Olive Oil): A bit of oil just so the noods doesn’t stick to your pan!
Green Onion: Thinly sliced green/spring onions add a fresh, mild crunch and a pop of green color.

For the optional veggies, I’ve chosen tofu and cherry tomatoes. Feel free to sub them with your favorite vegetables or whatever you have on hand!

Tofu: Serves as a protein-rich option.
- You can also use thawed frozen tofu, which will have a texture that’s closer to that of a chicken for a plant-based alternative. Or sub with tempeh!
Cherry Tomatoes: For a burst of juicy sweetness and vibrant color.

How to Make Spicy Gochujang Ramen Noodles

Prep the Veggies: Peel and finely mince the garlic. Cut the vegetables into bite-sized chunks.

Boil the Noodles: Cook the ramen or udon noodles according to the package instructions. One to two minutes before they’re done, drain them with a colander, rinse them with cold water, and set them aside.

You want to undercook the noodles since it will cook further before and after tossing it into the pan. Otherwise, your noodles might turn mushy!

Whip Up the Sauce: In a bowl, mix the gochujang and soy sauce.

Soy sauce and gochujang in a white bowl before mixing. — Soy sauce and gochujang before mixing

Gochujang and soy sauce after mixing, in a white bowl. — Soy sauce and gochujang before mixing

Sauté and Add Veggies: In a pan, sauté your garlic until golden for about 30-60 seconds. Then add the optional tofu (or any other hard vegetables) and stir fry for 5-7 minutes until golden brown.

Combine and Toss: Add the cooked noodles and the optional cherry tomatoes. If the noodles stick together because it’s too dry, add 1 Tablespoon of water at a time to loosen them up.

Pour and toss: Pour the gochujang sauce and turn up the heat to high for a smoky flavor. Toss it all together until the noodles are coated in that glorious spicy goodness, only for 15 to 30 seconds. Add a couple of splashes of water if they get sticky.

Stir-fried tofu, golden brown, in a pan. — First stir fry the garlic and tofu

Fried tofu with cherry tomatoes and ramen noodles in a pan. — First stir fry the garlic and tofu

Garnish and Serve: Immediately turn the heat off afterwards, and sprinkle some sliced green onions and optional sesame seeds on top of your saucy gochujang noodles.

You can also drizzle some sesame oil or chili oil as garnish. Now, enjoy!!

Top Tips

Do NOT skip the step of mixing the sauce in a small bowl. This method ensures an even coating of your noodles with the delectable sauce.
Since this recipe comes together quickly, be sure to prep all your ingredients and prepare the sauce before you begin cooking.
- This cooking technique is also called mise en place and you can read more about it in this Escoffier article!
Remove the udon or ramen noodles from the boiling water 1-2 minutes before the suggested cooking time, as they’ll continue to cook when added to the pan later on. This prevents them from becoming overcooked and turning mushy!
If you like green onions, feel free to use the full sprig!

Close-up of spicy gochujang ramen noodles with green onions and sesame seeds.

Tight on Time? Try These Hacks

Tip #1: Make this a one-pot meal. This means that you can just use the same pot you cook your noodles in to stir-fry the garlic and vegetables. Then just add the mixed-in gochujang sauce to that same pot.

Be sure to cook your ramen or udon first. They will cook as you prepare the vegetables.

Tip #2: The second tip is that you can cook and meal prep your vegetables beforehand. For the garlic, simply stir-fry it and store it in the fridge. This way, this recipe becomes as simple as making instant ramen noodles since it’s literally just boiling the noodles & mixing the sauce!

Or go ahead and make these Spicy Instant Noodle Spring Rolls instead to save time!

Close-up look of gochujang ramen noodle on a chopstick.

Storage and Meal Prep Instructions

Storage: Store any leftover spicy gochujang ramen in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It should be consumed within 1-2 days to ensure the best taste and quality.

Meal prep: For meal prepping, cut and prepare the ingredients and the sauce beforehand. But just before serving, spend 10 minutes to cook so you get a fresh meal. It tastes so much better this way.

You can also choose to cook the vegetables beforehand so you only need to boil the gochujang noodles and mix them, which should only take 5 minutes once everything is prepared!

Spicy gochujang noodle with tofu and tomatoes, taken from above.

FAQ

You can add spicy ingredients like Gochujang paste, red pepper/chili flakes, or hot sauce, and then mix it into your cooked noodles for a fiery kick.

Absolutely! Gochujang is a great choice since it brings a unique, spicy, and slightly sweet element that pairs wonderfully with the other ingredients, creating a delightful, savory-spicy ramen gochujang noodles.

Yes, feel free to do so. But be sure to reduce, or even omit the soy sauce. Otherwise, your sauce will be too salty.

Looking for more Easy Dinner/Lunch/Main Recipes?

For another spicy noodle recipe, check out my Creamy Tandoori Sauce Pasta or my Spicy Rice Sheets Noodles.

If you’re just looking for something spicy and not specifically noodle, this flavor-packed Tandoori Vegetables Platter is another favorite of mine.

If you like Korean flavors, check out my 5-Minute Kimchi Aioli recipe or my Kimchi Sushi recipe. And for an easy and pretty Korean drink, I have this 5-Minute Strawberry Oat Milk recipe!