Easy Chili Garlic Noodles
Make delicious chili garlic noodles with this easy recipe. Perfect as a side dish for any Asian main course!
These garlic noodles are a perfect balance of sweet and savory. They’re flavored with a generous amount of garlic, chili crisp (or chili crunch), soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, and brown sugar. Green onions add texture and color to the dish. The noodles make a tasty side dish to serve with just about any Asian main dish. Serve them with sesame pork, Kung Pao chicken, or beef and broccoli.
What You’ll Like About This Dish
Fast and easy. You can make this dish in under 30 minutes with pantry staples.
Big flavor. Chili crisp, garlic, and oyster sauce pack each bite with umami-rich goodness.
Flexible side or main. Great with stir-fried meats, tofu, or as a simple noodle bowl on its own.
Customizable heat. Use more or less chili crisp depending on your spice preference.
Ingredient Notes
- Thin spaghetti: Or use lo mein noodles, ramen, soba, or rice noodles—any long noodle works.
- Green onions: Adds both texture and color—reserve some for garnish.
- Garlic: Mashed garlic gives the dish deep aromatic flavor.
- Chili crisp: Adds heat and crunch—adjust to taste.
- Brown sugar: Balances the salt and spice with a touch of sweetness.
- Soy sauce: Use low-sodium for a lighter touch.
- Oyster sauce: Adds umami depth and a bit of natural sweetness.
Steps to Make Chili Garlic Noodles
- Cook the spaghetti in salted boiling water according to package directions.
- While the pasta cooks, heat vegetable oil in a small skillet over medium heat.
- Add green onions, mashed garlic, and chili crisp. Cook 1 to 2 minutes until aromatic.
- Transfer the garlic mixture to a bowl. Stir in brown sugar, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oil.
- Drain the pasta and place in a serving bowl.
- Add the garlic sauce mixture and toss to coat the noodles evenly.
- Garnish with reserved green onion tops and serve hot.
Tips
- Use freshly cooked noodles. The sauce clings better while they’re still warm.
- Adjust chili crisp to taste. Start with 1/2 teaspoon and add more if you like extra heat.
- Mash garlic for stronger flavor. Crushing it with salt enhances the garlic’s intensity.
- Serve immediately. These noodles are best hot and freshly tossed with sauce.
Recipe Variations
- Noodle swap: Use ramen, lo mein, soba, or rice noodles instead of spaghetti.
- Add protein: Stir in cooked shrimp, chicken, or tofu for a heartier dish.
- Extra veggies: Toss in sautéed mushrooms, shredded carrots, or steamed broccoli.
- No oyster sauce: Substitute hoisin sauce or a vegetarian mushroom-based sauce.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve as a side dish with Kung Pao chicken, beef stir-fry, or sesame pork.
- Pair with egg rolls, dumplings, or lettuce wraps for an appetizer spread.
- Add protein and vegetables to turn it into a full meal.
- Garnish with sesame seeds or crushed peanuts for added texture.
How to Store
Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freeze? Not recommended—these noodles are best fresh or refrigerated.
To Reheat: Warm gently in a skillet or microwave with a splash of water or broth to loosen the noodles.
Chili Garlic Noodles
Ingredients
- 8 ounces spaghetti, thin
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 6 green onions, thinly sliced (set some of the dark green aside for garnish)
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced and mashed
- 1/2 teaspoon chili crisp, more or less
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 1/2 teaspoons sesame oil
Instructions
- Cook the spaghetti in a pot of boiling salted water following the package directions. Add 1 teaspoon of kosher salt for each quart of water.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat the vegetable oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the green onions, garlic, and chili crisp. Cook, stirring, until the mixture is aromatic, about 1 to 2 minutes.
- Transfer the green onion mixture to a small bowl and let it cool slightly. Add the brown sugar, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oil.
- Drain the spaghetti and transfer it to a serving bowl. Add the garlic sauce mixture and toss to blend thoroughly.
- Garnish with green onion tops and serve hot.
Nutrition
Disclaimer:
Our nutritional information is based on a third-party application that analyzes the ingredients list to determine the values. The information is meant to be helpful, but should be considered an estimate. Values may differ depending on measurements, brands, serving variations, and database availability.
