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Home Noodles

Quick Asian Beef Ramen Noodles

By:Nagi
Published:10 Dec '18Updated:21 Jan '21
484 Comments
Recipe v Video v Dozer v

Get your chopsticks ready!! With caramelised beef, a tangle of noodles, and a sweet savoury 4 ingredient sauce, these Asian Beef Ramen Noodles are totally slurp-worthy!

A terrific economical beef mince recipe, prepare to be amazed at how quick and easy this flavour packed ramen noodle recipe is! Are you ready??

Close up of Quick Asian Beef Ramen Noodles fresh off the stove, ready to be served

Now available: Chicken Vegetable Ramen Noodles!

ASIAN BEEF RAMEN NOODLES recipe – spin on a reader favourite!

I’ve previously shared stories where Dozer has been randomly recognised on the streets by readers (ah, it makes me proud!) and the odd occasion when I’ve been recognised. Always in a state of disarray. I am waiting for the time it happens when I just happen to be dolled up for an evening out.🤞🏼

Well, when 3 total strangers within the space of 2 weeks tell you that these Asian Beef Bowls are one of their favourites because it’s so tasty yet quick ‘n easy, it triggered a thought – why not do a ramen noodle version??

So the thought came to life.

That caramelised ground beef / mince is just da bomb!  I just want to pick it all out!!! (Seriously, who talks like that at my age??🙄)

Overhead photo of Quick Asian Beef Ramen Noodles in bowls, ready to be eaten

I hinted at a cheeky little tip that makes this ramen noodles recipe even quicker than you’d expect – and here it is:

How to make Ramen Noodles – in ONE POT!

Yes that’s right, these Asian Beef Ramen Noodles are made in ONE POT!!! Sure it saves on washing up an extra pot to cook the noodles separately, but for this recipe, the more important factor is that the starch in the noodles acts as the thickener for the sauce (which has no cornflour/cornstarch or other thickener).

So here’s how this recipe goes down – 4 minutes for the onion and beef, 2 to 3 minutes for the noodles, MAX!

  • Cook the beef with the sauce first – get it real nicely caramelised because it’s key to the flavour in this recipe;

  • Make a well in the centre, add water, plonk uncooked instant or ramen noodles in the water. This serves two purposes – making room for the noodles to sit in the water AND protects the beef from losing their caramelisation by boiling in the water;

  • After 45 seconds, turn the noodles, then 30 seconds later, they will be loose enough to toss through the sauce and beef;

  • Add a big handful of beansprouts (great no-chop veggie option!), toss more then serve;

  • By the time the ramen noodles are cooked, the liquid is absorbed / evaporated, leaving behind a nice coating of sauce on the perfectly cooked noodles.

The beauty of this technique is that it HAS to be a super quick recipe because the noodles are cooked in 2 to 3 minutes. Any longer and they become too soft!

How to make Quick Asian Beef Ramen Noodles

WHAT CAN I ADD TO RAMEN NOODLES?

This is a very adaptable recipe. I’ve used onion, garlic, ground beef (mince) and beansprouts because it requires minimal chopping. Finely sliced cabbage would be an ideal substitute for the bean sprouts, otherwise carrots cut into matchsticks, baby spinach or even normal spinach, or even finely sliced kale. Toss these in when the bean sprouts are added, just to wilt.

If using other vegetables that need to be cooked for longer that leach water when cooked, such as peppers, zucchini or mushroom, cook these first then remove from the pan (otherwise they leach too much liquid when the noodles cook so you end up with too much water). Proceed with recipe then toss them in at the end.

Ramen Noodles for Quick Asian Beef Ramen Noodles

Ramen Noodles OR Instant Noodles

I don’t know if you’ve got a hang up about instant noodles – whether from excess consumption in your uni days or because of health concerns – but let’s just say this recipe is a far cry from the plonk-in-water-add-veg that you probably overdosed on.

What I’m making the most of here in this recipe is the quick-cook noodles and the shape of the noodles cakes (flat) so they can be cooked in a shallow skillet.

Any instant noodles or ramen noodles will work just fine because we discard the soup seasoning mix. You can also buy just the noodle cakes (no seasoning) in larger packs of 5+.

If you don’t have instant noodles (or you really can’t get past your dorm days), these Asian Beef Ramen Noodles will work just fine with any other type of noodles. Dried or fresh, rice or wheat / egg noodles.

But honestly, I ask you – does this look like any instant ramen noodles you had in your dorm days?? 😉 – Nagi x

Got beef mince? You can do better than Spag Bol.

See all ground beef / beef mince recipes (yes, Spag Bol is there….)

Quick Quick Asian Beef Ramen Noodles (ground beef) in a skillet, fresh off the stove

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QUICK ASIAN GROUND BEEF RAMEN NOODLES
WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT

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Close up of Quick Asian Beef Ramen Noodles fresh off the stove, ready to be served

Quick Asian Beef Ramen Noodles

Author: Nagi
Prep: 7 mins
Cook: 8 mins
Total: 15 mins
Mains
Asian
4.98 from 171 votes
Servings2
Tap or hover to scale
Print
  • 1006
Recipe video above. A great quick ramen noodle recipe that requires very little prep. The trick here is to caramelise the beef well - makes all the difference! TIP: Don't cook the ramen noodles any longer than it says to on the packet! So basically, this HAS to be a super quick recipe 🙂 Now available: Chicken and vegetable version!

Ingredients

  • 2 packets ramen or other instant noodles , discard seasoning (Note 1)
  • 1 tsp oil
  • 2 tsp sesame oil (or more oil) (Note 2)
  • 2 garlic cloves , minced
  • 1/2 onion , sliced
  • 200g / 7oz beef mince (ground beef) (Note 3)
  • 1 1/4 cups (315 ml) water, plus more as needed
  • Big handful bean sprouts

Sauce:

  • 1 tbsp dark soy sauce (Note 4)
  • 1 tbsp Oyster sauce (or Hoisin, Note 5)
  • 2 tsp Hoisin sauce (or more Oyster sauce)
  • 1 tbsp mirin (Note 6)

Garnishes (optional):

  • Finely sliced green onion / shallots
  • Sesame seeds

Instructions

  • Mix Sauce.
  • Heat oils in a medium skillet over high heat. Add onion and garlic, cook for 1 1/2 minutes until starting to go golden.
  • Add beef and cook, breaking it up as you go, until it changes from pink to light brown.
  • Add Sauce and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until well caramelised (see video).
  • Push beef to the side to make enough space for the noodles. Add water, place noodles in water.
  • Leave for 45 seconds then turn.
  • Leave for 30 seconds, then untangle the noodles, then toss through the beef.
  • Add beansprouts, toss for 1 minute until sauce reduces to coat the noodles and the noodles are cooked. (Note 7)
  • Serve immediately, garnished with green onions and sesame seeds.

Recipe Notes:

1. Instant or Ramen Noodles - Any brand or type is fine here, though avoid the extra large ramen packets because you'll struggle to fit two in the pan (though can break them). If it comes with soup seasoning packets, toss them.
Ssub with fresh or dried noodles (rice or wheat). Prepare per packet, use ~ 2 packed cups, toss through the caramelised beef with a splash of water.
2. Sesame oil - Use toasted sesame oil if you've got it, otherwise untoasted is fine. Brown sesame oil = toasted, untoasted = yellow like normal oil.
3. Mince - Ground beef is called mince here in Australia. Can sub with any other ground meat of choice - chicken, turkey, pork, lamb, kangaroo (really!), veal.
4. Dark Soy Sauce has a darker colour and more intense flavour than all purpose and light soy sauce. If you can't find it, any soy sauce is fine here but the sauce colour will be lighter. 
5. Oyster Sauce - I've noticed vegetarian oyster sauce in the supermarkets lately!
6. Mirin - a sweet Japanese cooking sake, very common ingredient in Japanese cooking. Find it in large supermarkets, or Asian grocery stores.
Sub with Chinese cooking wine, dry sherry. Non alcoholic sub: use 1/2 cup water + 3/4 cup low sodium chicken stock/broth (instead of 1 1/4 cups water) and skip the Mirin.
7. Total cook time for noodles should be per packet. Add a touch more water if noodles need longer.
8. SCALING recipe up (click servings and slide) - use a larger skillet. Can break noodle cakes if necessary to fit.
9. Nutrition per serving. Sodium can be reduced by 175mg per serve by using low sodium soy sauce.

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 626cal (31%)Carbohydrates: 58g (19%)Protein: 20g (40%)Fat: 27g (42%)Saturated Fat: 8g (50%)Cholesterol: 71mg (24%)Sodium: 1200mg (52%)Potassium: 406mg (12%)Fiber: 1g (4%)Sugar: 6g (7%)Vitamin C: 9.8mg (12%)Calcium: 37mg (4%)Iron: 2.6mg (14%)
Keywords: Beef and Noodles, Noodles
Did you make this recipe?I love hearing how you went with my recipes! Tag me on Instagram at @RecipeTinEats.

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Hi, I'm Nagi!

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484 Comments

  1. Wendy says

    January 7, 2023 at 1:11 pm

    Hi Nagi
    I can only source OBento Mirin seasoning at my local shops. Would this be a good alternative to Hon mirin or should I use the Chinese cooking wine for the Quick Asian Beef Ramen noodles recipe please?
    Kind regards
    Wendy

    Reply
  2. Lisa says

    September 27, 2022 at 6:17 pm

    5 stars
    Delicious and super easy! Fussy kids even loved it

    Reply
  3. Sarah Newman says

    August 2, 2022 at 6:09 pm

    5 stars
    Made this for the first time tonight and my GOODNESS ITS AMAZING! it literally was done in 15mins. And it tastes unreal.

    Reply
  4. Wendy says

    July 14, 2022 at 1:36 pm

    5 stars
    Very tasty recipe, I added some chili flakes and grated carrot and shredded cabbage. I am sure this will be a regular meal in our household as it’s so quick and easy 👌🏻 Thanks for sharing Nagi

    Reply
  5. Maria says

    June 14, 2022 at 9:41 pm

    5 stars
    This was so easy to prepare. I added broccoli, carrots and red capsicum with the mince. Also spiced it up with a bit of chilli sauce. Absolutely delicious 😋

    Reply
  6. Zachariah Greenfield says

    May 16, 2022 at 10:09 am

    5 stars
    Love this recipe and how versatile it is adding whatever vegetables you have. This time I added frozen edamame and shredded carrots.

    Reply
  7. Tanya says

    May 15, 2022 at 11:56 am

    5 stars
    We love this one. Have made it several times. I usually add more noodles and vege so that there is enough for 4. Loving everything I cook from this site!

    Reply
  8. LS says

    May 15, 2022 at 11:00 am

    5 stars
    This was excellent! I’ve made a few of the stir fry noodle recipes from Nagi & for us this was the best! The sauce was really flavourful. I used already roasted chicken, red & orange peppers, cabbage, mushrooms, and broccoli. There were 5 of us for dinner and I only used 4 noodle packs. There was PLENTY of leftovers and they were just as yummy days later. THANKS again for your recipes!

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      May 15, 2022 at 5:30 pm

      Woo hoo!! I am glad that you enjoyed it LS! N x

      Reply
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I believe you can make great food with everyday ingredients even if you’re short on time and cost conscious. You just need to cook clever and get creative! Read More

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