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??
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??🙄)
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!
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 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….)
More noodles
-
Chow Mein – reader fave!
-
Pad Thai and Pad See Ew – reader faves! 😂
-
Char Kway Teow – epic street hawker food
And the Ramen Noodle recipe collection
-
Caramelised Asian Mushroom Ramen Noodles – caramelised mushrooms tossed through ramen noodles in a sweet savoury Asian sauce
-
One Pot Chicken and Vegetable Ramen Noodles – loads of hidden veggies!
-
12 Minute Thai Chicken Peanut Noodles – super quick, using ground meat
-
Ramen Noodle Salad with Creamy Sesame Peanut Dressing – terrific for work lunchboxes
-
Chow Mein Ramen Noodles – the faster way to make Chow Mein
QUICK ASIAN GROUND BEEF RAMEN NOODLES
WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT
Hungry for more? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all of the latest updates.
Quick Asian Beef Ramen Noodles
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:
Nutrition Information:
LIFE OF DOZER
I’ve been trying to move him onto a paleo diet ie no commercial dog food. Currently experimenting to see what he will and won’t eat.
Raw sardines falls into the Won’t Eat bucket. 🙄
pratt says
I LOVED this. So easy, and suuuuper delicious. I used turkey mince, but only because that was what i found in my fridge. I doubled the recipe for 4 meals(dinner today and lunch tomorrow), but my bf loved it so much that it was only enough for 3 meals. I sacrificed my lunch lol.
Alinda says
Love the website!! Marked it as a favorite and put on my reading list. So glad I can navigate to other recipes. Use “the sauce” for so many recipes. You have inspired me to use what I have and create new combinations that are good and quick.
LeMoyne Barney says
I love the new web design. Easy to navigate and the pictures are gorgeous.
Allison says
soo easy and delicious. I made it with beef, but might make it with a lighter flavored meat next time (ground pork, maybe). The beef really came through the dish, and would like to highlight the sauce a little more. Definitely a keeper meal–especially with a growing family of boys. I can see us using it for years.
Linda says
Also like your new format. Easy to navigate and as always your photos are beautiful! Try and love so many of your recipes. Thank you!
Linda says
Loved this dish! I made this for dinner, it wa easy and quick. Had to buy the different sauces needed…but worth it!
Will make again!
Terri Valazza says
This was so easy and soooo onolicous!!! i also made it with chicken 😋
Love your new website as well, very easy & loving Dozer page & to cute Dozer in the pancake shot.
Debbie K says
Your new site seems bright and clear. I especially like your quick and easy section, as well as the collections. My son married a Japanese woman and has been living in Japan for years, so the recipes from his new homeland are of special interest to me!
Danielle Wolter says
Your site looks beautiful Nagi! Love the the new format! And what a great recipe…one pot, instant noodles, caramelized beef? I’m all about it!
Lorraine Minter says
Nagi I do like your new website it is easy to navigate, thank you.
Maureen says
Tried this recipe tonight. So quick, easy, economical and delicious.. As you said the key is to caramelise and bring out that flavour.
Thanks Nagi.
Barb says
Loved the look of this recipe..guess I did not caramelize enough..it seemed to have too much liquid… AKHHHH help…my first failure in all the recipes of yours that I have made… and not really a failure.. but sad! maybe my beef was too liquidy? XXOO barb
Zeina says
Any subs for dark soy sauce?
Sarina says
This was so easy and delicious.
Angela says
Love your site
Love Dozer
Trying this tonight!
BTW Chicken cordon bleu was an enormous hit as was chicken stroganoff
Thanks
Angela from Southampton England!
Cath says
This is agreat recipe! Well done. 👀 ng forward to sharing it with the whole family.
Nagi says
Thanks so much Cath!
Cath says
Hi Nagi
We had this for dinner tonight and it was EXCELLENT… will have it again next week when all the family are home, but my youngest daughter and I really enjoyed it. Thank you. Cheers Cath
Bronwyn says
Good luck with the barf diet for Dozer. It’s how I’ve fed my dogs since 1993, and it’s all pros. Their bones should be small and raw, which means they’re pliable, soft and edible. Big thigh bones and dried and cooked bones are splintery and no good. A bit of veg, offal, fatty fish, eggs….So your dog gets ghost poos, super clean teeth, sweet breath, healthy skin and coat, no weight problems, and a well-regulated appetite. If you’re transitioning, offering it cooked for the first few weeks then slowly less and less cooking should assist. Chicken necks, wings and cages are all good. We have had a couple of now 10 yr old chow chow rescues for a couple of years, and we mostly cook their food, but throw in a few raw wings and necks now and then. Due to their previous poor diet they have broken and missing teeth, and can’t quite digestively cope as well as all our previous dogs, but have made great strides on decent homemade food…We wish you and Dozer all the best.
Jonathan Sturm says
“I’ve noticed vegetarian oyster sauce in the supermarkets lately!”
But it’s not the same; it’s runny rather than thick and it tastes different.
I use Pandaroo thin egg noodles in this type of dish. They only take 3–4 minutes to soften. I am inordinately fond of one pot meals even though SWMBO does the washing up in return for gourmet meals.
I intend to attempt to cook a turkey properly this Christmas thanks to your suggestions. Wish me luck 😉
Tanya says
Thank you Nagi…. Brilliant! Just wish Mom was was here because she would have LOVED your site and absolutely made a home at your Moms site! Give Dozier a big nuzzle for me and know that your work is appreciated. Merry Christmas!