Name: Chili Garlic Noodles Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 17 min
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: 8 ounces dry noodles, prepared according to package instructions; 4 Tablespoons avocado oil or vegetable oil, divided; 3 cups vegetables, sliced (such as cabbage, broccoli, bell pepper, carrot, green beans, zucchini, mushrooms); 1 Tablespoon toasted sesame oil; 1 shallot, chopped finely; 7-8 cloves garlic, minced finely; 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger; 1 teaspoon chili paste; 1 Tablespoon Korean chili flakes; 1 teaspoon sesame seeds; 2 Tablespoons brown sugar; 1/3 cup soy sauce; 1 1/2 tablespoons rice vinegar; Sliced green onions, for garnish

There's something undeniably satisfying about a bowl of spicy, garlicky noodles that hits all the right notes—warm, savory, with just the right bit of heat. That's exactly what makes this Chili Garlic Noodles Recipe worth making and sharing. It’s simple, bursting with bold flavors, and comes together in under 20 minutes—perfect for busy nights or anytime you want a comforting meal.

A large white speckled bowl filled with cooked noodles mixed with a dark reddish-brown sauce, giving the noodles a shiny, slightly oily look. The noodles are topped with thinly sliced green onions bright green in color, thin red chili slices, and sprinkled white sesame seeds, with some small red chili flakes scattered on top. Two wooden chopsticks rest on the side of the bowl, partly inside the noodles. The bowl is on a white marbled surface with a blue striped cloth near it. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Chili Garlic Noodles Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Chili Garlic Noodles Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Chili Garlic Noodles Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’m really excited to share this Chili Garlic Noodles Recipe because it’s one of those dishes that feels indulgent but is totally doable for any weeknight. It’s flexible, packed with layers of flavor, and honestly, every time I make it, it feels like a little celebration of simple ingredients coming together perfectly.

Speedy & Easy: From start to finish, you’ll have dinner ready in less time than it takes to stream an episode of your favorite show.
Bold Flavor Balance: The chili, garlic, and ginger combo give the sauce a spicy kick, perfectly balanced by a touch of sweetness and bright vinegar.
Adaptable Veggies: You can use whatever fresh vegetables you have on hand, making it a great way to clean out the fridge.
Make-Ahead Friendly: This dish is super easy to batch prep or whip up last minute with pre-chopped ingredients.

Ingredients & Why They Work

What I love about this Chili Garlic Noodles Recipe is how all the simple ingredients play together to hit every flavor note: spicy, salty, sweet, and tangy. Here are the stars of the show and why they shouldn't be skipped.

Flat lay of cooked chow mein noodles, a small pile of sliced colorful fresh vegetables including bell pepper, broccoli, carrot, green beans, zucchini, and mushrooms, a small white bowl of golden avocado oil, a small white bowl of dark toasted sesame oil, a whole shallot finely chopped, seven whole uncracked garlic bulbs, a few slices of fresh ginger root, a small white bowl of bright red chili paste, a small heap of vibrant red Korean chili flakes, a small white bowl of tiny pale sesame seeds, a small white bowl of light brown granulated brown sugar, a small white bowl filled with glossy dark soy sauce, a small white bowl of clear rice vinegar, fresh sliced green onions arranged neatly, all ingredients fresh and natural with no packaging, arranged with perfect symmetry and balanced proportions on simple white ceramic bowls, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Noodles: Any Asian-style noodles will do—from rice noodles to ramen. Just cook them according to package directions, and remember to salt your pasta water (except for ramen) to add flavor and prevent sticking.
Avocado or vegetable oil: Neutral oils with a high smoke point are perfect for sautéing without overpowering flavors.
Vegetables: I like cabbage, bell peppers, broccoli, and carrots for color and crunch—feel free to swap in your favorites.
Toasted sesame oil: Adds a nutty depth that makes the noodles taste irresistible.
Shallot: Its mild, sweet onion flavor works beautifully alongside garlic without overwhelming the dish.
Garlic: The star of this recipe—don’t hold back on those cloves for that rich, aromatic punch.
Fresh ginger: Adds brightness and a little zing that cuts through the savory chili flavors.
Chili paste and Korean chili flakes (Gochugaru): Gives authentic heat and complexity—these flakes have a smoky, slightly sweet kick that’s unbeatable.
Sesame seeds: A small sprinkle adds texture and enhances that toasty flavor.
Brown sugar: Balances the heat with a touch of caramel sweetness.
Soy sauce: Provides the salty, umami backbone that ties everything together.
Rice vinegar: Adds a subtle acidity that brightens up the sauce and balances richness.
Green onions: The fresh garnish that adds crunch and a burst of mild onion flavor at the end.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I’ve played around with this Chili Garlic Noodles Recipe enough times to know it’s a great canvas to make your own. You can add more or less chili depending on your spice tolerance, swap in different veggies for seasonal freshness, or even turn it into a heartier meal by adding protein.

Variation: One of my favorite tweaks is stirring in some shredded cooked chicken or tofu for added protein—it turns the dish into a full meal without losing any of that signature chili-garlic flavor.
Vegetarian & Vegan: Just skip any animal proteins and use tamari instead of soy sauce if gluten is a concern.
Spice Level: Adjust the chili flakes and paste—the Korean chili flakes offer a smoky heat, but if you want milder noodles, just reduce them or leave out altogether.
Extra Crunch: Toss in raw bean sprouts or chopped peanuts on top for texture contrast before serving.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Chili Garlic Noodles Recipe

The image shows a close-up of a bowl filled with long noodles coated in a reddish-orange spicy sauce, giving them a shiny, slightly oily texture. The noodles are piled high and lifted with wooden chopsticks, creating a raised, twisted mass above the bowl. Around the noodles, thin green vegetable strips and small pieces of red chili add color contrast. The bowl is white, smooth, and rests on a white marbled surface. The background is dark, making the dish stand out sharply. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Sauté Fresh Vegetables

Heat one tablespoon of avocado oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add your sliced veggies and sauté for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. I usually aim for them to stay tender but not mushy—this keeps their texture and flavor vibrant. When done, transfer them to a bowl and set aside. This step prevents overcrowding the pan later and lets you control each layer of flavor.

Step 2: Build the Flavor Base

Add the remaining avocado oil and toasted sesame oil to the skillet. Toss in the finely chopped shallot and cook for 3-4 minutes until it softens and becomes sweetly aromatic. Reducing the heat to medium-low, stir in the minced garlic and grated ginger, cooking gently for about 2 minutes to avoid burning but release all those wonderful flavors.

Step 3: Spice It Up

Time to add the chili paste, Korean chili flakes, sesame seeds, and brown sugar. Stir everything well and let the sugar dissolve into this rich, spicy mixture. This step forms the heart of the sauce with layers of heat and sweetness that make the noodles unforgettable.

Step 4: Sauce It Up & Toss

Pour in the soy sauce and rice vinegar, bringing it all to a gentle boil for about 1 minute to marry the flavors and thicken the sauce slightly. Then turn the heat off, add the cooked noodles and sautéed vegetables back into the skillet, and toss everything together until the noodles are slicked with that glossy, spicy sauce. Top it off with sliced green onions for freshness.

Top Tip

Over the years of making this Chili Garlic Noodles Recipe, I’ve found a few little tricks that make a huge difference in flavor and texture, so I want to share them with you.

Salt Your Noodle Water: I used to skip this, but salting your boiling water (except if you use ramen) elevates the noodles’ flavor and helps prevent them from sticking.
Don’t Overcook Veggies: Keep an eye on your vegetables during sautéing—they should stay vibrant and slightly crisp to add texture, not get soggy.
Prep Ahead: Chop garlic, ginger, shallots, and veggies before you start cooking. I can’t tell you how many times this has saved me from scrambling and letting ingredients burn!
Adjust Chili Levels Gently: Start with less chili paste and flakes and add more gradually—this recipe is all about balancing heat with flavor, not overwhelming your palate.

How to Serve Chili Garlic Noodles Recipe

Chili Garlic Noodles - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love finishing my Chili Garlic Noodles with bright green onion slices because they add crunch and a fresh note, but sometimes I sprinkle toasted sesame seeds or chopped fresh cilantro for variety. If you want a little texture contrast, crushed peanuts or even crispy shallots turn this dish into something special.

Side Dishes

Pair this noodle dish with simple sides like steamed dumplings or a light cucumber salad dressed in rice vinegar and sesame oil for balance. I’ve also enjoyed it alongside crispy spring rolls or a simple miso soup for a full, satisfying meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For casual dinner parties, I like to serve these noodles in wide bowls with extra garnishes on the side so guests can customize their bowls. Another fun way is layering the noodles over a bed of fresh greens for a warm salad feel. I once served these in mini noodle cups for a fun appetizer twist—with a chili lime shrimp on top, it was a hit!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I like to store leftover noodles in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. A quick tip: drizzle a tiny bit of sesame oil before sealing to help prevent the noodles from sticking together.

Freezing

While I haven’t frozen this noodle dish often because we tend to eat it quickly, it can be frozen in a sealed container for up to one month. I recommend reheating gently and tossing with a splash of water or soy sauce to revive the noodles after thawing.

Reheating

Reheat leftovers in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water or broth to loosen the noodles and prevent dryness. Stir often and heat just until warmed through to keep the noodles from getting mushy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use any type of noodles for this recipe?

Absolutely! This Chili Garlic Noodles Recipe works well with almost any Asian-style noodles like rice noodles, chow mein, lo mein, and ramen. Just make sure to cook them according to package instructions and rinse if needed to prevent sticking.

What can I substitute if I don't have Korean chili flakes?

If you don’t have Korean chili flakes (gochugaru), you can use crushed red pepper flakes or a mild chili powder. Keep in mind the flavor will be slightly different since gochugaru is smoky and slightly sweet, but you can still get good heat and spice.

Can I make this recipe vegetarian or vegan?

Yes! This Chili Garlic Noodles Recipe is easily vegetarian and vegan-friendly. Just ensure your soy sauce is vegan, or use tamari as a gluten-free alternative. Skip any meat add-ins and load up on veggies or tofu for protein.

How spicy is this Chili Garlic Noodles Recipe?

The spice level is moderate and depends on how much chili paste and Korean chili flakes you use. The gochugaru flakes offer a smoky, medium heat—not overwhelmingly hot. I recommend starting with less and adding more to taste, especially if you’re sensitive to spice.

Final Thoughts

This Chili Garlic Noodles Recipe feels like a warm hug on a plate to me, perfectly combining bold spices, fresh veggies, and chewy noodles in a way that’s both simple and exciting. I always love how quick it is to whip up, and it never fails to impress friends or family. Give it a try—you’ll have a flavorful, satisfying meal on your table faster than you expect, and I’m betting it’ll become one of your favorites too.