Chili Oil Noodles Recipe

This naturally vegan dish is so full of delicious umami flavors! It’s also incredibly fast and easy to prepare, making it perfect for quick lunches or busy weeknights!

Hot oil is infused with mouthwatering aromatics and spices, and then simply tossed with cooked noodles. 

Usually, the noodles in this garlic chili oil meal are topped with the flavorings and the hot oil is poured on top. However, I like to toast the garlic a little bit and stir in the seasonings before combining this flavorful sauce with the noodles.

Use your favorite noodles here. Thick wheat, flat, wide, thin, rice or even ramen are all great for absorbing the sauce.

You can up the protein by tossing in some tofu, edamame, or chickpeas. Or mix in some veggies such as bok choy, bell pepper, or zucchini. 

I like to use Korean chili flakes (gochugaru) here, which can be found in the spice or international aisle of most grocery stores. They’re also really great on top of popcorn, soups, and veggies like cucumbers. 

Although, you can certainly swap the gochugaru out for regular red pepper flakes. 

If you’re a fan of Asian-inspired noodle dishes, be sure to check out my Veggie Stir Fry Noodles and Thai Noodle Salad!

Get updates on my latest recipes sent right to your inbox! Click Here To Subscribe To My Email List!

Ingredients and Substitutions

• Noodles – Use any noodles such as knife cut, thick wheat, rice, ramen, etc. 
• Oil – Use an oil such as sesame, peanut, avocado, or olive. 
• Garlic – Fresh garlic packs a flavorful punch.
• Green Onions – Fresh green onions are for the sauce and garnish. 
• Soy Sauce – Low-sodium soy sauce, tamari, or liquid aminos all work here. 
• Sesame Oil – Just a little adds a lovely nutty element. 
• Chili Flakes – Korean chile flakes/powder (gochugaru) or regular red pepper flakes give a smoky, spicy kick. Use a smaller portion if you want to lessen the heat level. 
• Sugar – Brown sugar adds a nice balance to the sauce.
• Rice Vinegar – Rice wine vinegar or rice vinegar adds some tang.  
• Chili Powder – Adds more of that smoky heat.  
• Pepper – I like white pepper here, but regular black pepper is just as good!
• Ginger – Use simple ground ginger or fresh if you have it on hand.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here are some quick visual steps. Find the full recipe with exact measurements on the recipe card below.

Gather all of the ingredients.

Heat a large pot or pan to medium heat. Once it’s hot, add the oil. Give that about a minute to get hot before adding the garlic.

Sauté the garlic just until it’s crispy and starting to turn golden brown.

Promptly remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the remaining ingredients except for the noodles and garnish. 

Cook the noodles according to the package instructions in a separate pot. Add them to the sauce and toss them until they are fully coated.

Garnish the noodles with chopped green onions, cilantro, and sesame seeds. Enjoy!

Tips For Success 

• Have all of the ingredients prepared and handy because the meal cooks fast.
• Let the garlic cook until it’s fragrant and starting to darken, but don’t let it burn.
• Lessen the amount of chili flakes to reduce the spice level, if you prefer. 
• Slightly undercook the noodles so that they have some crispness to them and are able to absorb the sauce well.

Recipe Variation Ideas

• For more protein, toss in some tofu, chickpeas, or edamame.
• Add some veggies such as bok choy, mushrooms, broccoli, zucchini, or bell peppers.

Storage & Reheating

Store leftover noodles in a covered dish in the refrigerator for 3 days. Heat them up in the microwave or enjoy them cold!

Make-Ahead

To make this noodle dish ahead of time, prepare the sauce and then store it in the refrigerator for 4 days. When ready, cook the noodles and toss them together with the chili oil sauce.

What are Korean chili flakes?

Korean chili flakes are also known as gochugaru. They come in dry flakes or in powdered form. The flavor is similar to Korean chili paste (gochujang). These chili flakes add a smoky and spicy element to any dish. You can enjoy a dash or two over your popcorn, pizza, pasta, veggies, and even fruit!

What Is Chili Oil?

Chili oil is a spicy sauce that’s prepared by pouring hot cooking oil over a variety of seasonings and aromatics. The heat from the oil brings out the delicious flavors and pairs perfectly with your favorite type of noodle.

I hope you loved this recipe! If you try it, please let me know what you think with a rating and comment below. Your feedback really supports my blog and is helpful to other readers! 🙂 You can stay updated on my latest recipes by following me on Pinterest and joining my Email List.