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Delicious Saucy Ramen Noodles with Tofu and Veggies

Featured in Perfect Pasta Dishes.

Upgrade plain instant noodles by making this quick saucy ramen. First, mix a flavorful sauce with soy sauce, dark soy (if you like), rice vinegar, sesame oil, cornstarch, water or broth, sugar, and garlic. Keep it ready while cooking noodles until slightly firm. Strain and rinse if you'd prefer. Heat a pan on medium-high and cook tofu, mushrooms, or veggies until soft and golden. Stir your sauce again, then pour it into the pan, cooking for a few minutes until it thickens nicely. Add noodles and toss well, simmering another 3 minutes. Top with scallions, sesame seeds, and adjust spices to your liking. It’s a flexible, comforting dinner perfect for a busy day.
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Updated on Fri, 07 Mar 2025 05:20:27 GMT
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Quick Saucy Ramen Noodles | cuisinegenial.com

Transform simple instant noodles into a restaurant-worthy meal with this 15-minute ramen recipe. The perfect balance of tender noodles and rich sauce creates a deeply satisfying bowl that rivals takeout.

The secret to exceptional ramen lies in properly cooking the noodles and creating a well-balanced sauce that coats every strand perfectly.

Essential Ingredients

  • Instant Ramen: Any brand (seasoning packet not needed)
  • Soy Sauce: Light or low-sodium
  • Sesame Oil: Pure toasted variety
  • Rice Vinegar: Unseasoned
  • Fresh Ginger: Finely grated
  • Fresh Garlic: Minced
  • Maple Syrup: Pure
  • Chili Flakes: Optional, for heat

Cooking Method

1. Prepare Noodles:
Boil noodles until just firm, about 2 minutes. Save 1 cup cooking water. Drain and toss with a touch of oil to prevent sticking.
2. Create Sauce:
Mix 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 1 tablespoon maple syrup, 1 teaspoon rice vinegar, 3 cloves minced garlic, and 1 tablespoon grated ginger. Add chili flakes if desired.
3. Prepare Protein:
Heat oil in a large pan. Cook chosen protein until done. Set aside. Using same pan, cook vegetables until crisp-tender.
4. Combine Components:
Add protein back to pan with sauce and noodles. Toss until hot and evenly coated. Add reserved water as needed for proper consistency.
5. Final Touches:
Finish with green onions, toasted sesame seeds, and extra chili flakes if desired. Serve immediately.
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Saucy Ramen Noodles Recipe | cuisinegenial.com

Storage Guidelines

Store sauce and noodles separately in sealed containers for up to 3 days. When reheating, add a splash of water and warm in a skillet until hot.

Suggested Side Dishes

  • Fresh edamame
  • Classic miso soup
  • Asian cucumber salad
  • Pan-fried dumplings
  • Seasoned broccoli
  • Jammy ramen eggs
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Saucy Ramen Noodles | cuisinegenial.com

Choose Your Protein

  • Crispy tofu
  • Sliced chicken breast
  • Fresh shrimp
  • Thinly sliced steak
  • Mixed mushrooms
  • Marinated tempeh

This elevated instant ramen proves that simple ingredients can produce spectacular results. It's perfect for quick meals without sacrificing flavor or quality.

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Easy Saucy Ramen Noodles Recipe | cuisinegenial.com

Recipe Notes

Success comes from balancing three key elements: perfectly cooked noodles, well-seasoned sauce, and fresh garnishes. Each preparation helps perfect your technique for consistently excellent results.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What if I use fresh noodles instead of packaged ones?
Fresh noodles work great! Just tweak the cooking time based on the package details.
→ What happens if I don’t have dark soy?
No worries! Dark soy mainly adds color. Regular soy sauce can replace it without a problem.
→ How to make this recipe totally vegan?
Go for vegetable broth, swap in maple syrup, and skip any chili garlic sauce with fish-based ingredients.
→ Can I save leftovers in the freezer?
Freezing might make the noodles soft. Fresh is best! But you could freeze the sauce separately and reuse it.
→ Is this a gluten-free meal?
As written, no. But switching to gluten-free soy sauce and verifying other ingredients can make it gluten-free.

Fast Noodle Fix

This hearty dish turns instant noodles into a satisfying meal, using a tangy soy sauce blend with sesame oil, vinegar, sugar, and dark soy (optional). Add your choice of veggies or tofu for an easy, flavorful dinner.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
15 Minutes
Total Time
25 Minutes
By: Ferdaous

Category: Pasta

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: Asian

Yield: 2 Servings (2 bowls)

Dietary: Vegan, Vegetarian, Dairy-Free

Ingredients

→ Noodles

01 2 bundles of instant ramen (dry) noodles, roughly 140 grams combined

→ For Sautéing

02 10 oz of sliced firm tofu, mushrooms, or your favorite vegetables

→ Sauce

03 1 cup of either water or veggie broth
04 Approximately 5-7 tablespoons of soy sauce
05 1.5 teaspoons of dark soy sauce (optional, for color purposes)
06 2 to 3 tablespoons of cornstarch
07 1-3 tablespoons of your go-to sweetener (it could be sugar, maple syrup, or another liquid kind)
08 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, rice vinegar, or plain vinegar
09 A pinch (1/4 teaspoon) of ground black pepper
10 Half a tablespoon of chili garlic paste (go ahead and skip if you prefer)
11 1 tablespoon of fragrant sesame oil
12 Minced garlic cloves (2 pieces, but optional)

→ For Serving

13 Spring onions, finely sliced
14 A sprinkle of sesame seeds

Instructions

Step 01

In a bowl, toss together all the sauce ingredients: the water or broth, soy sauces, cornstarch, sweetener, acid (like lemon or vinegar), chili garlic paste, sesame oil, ground pepper, and garlic. Stir it well till it's smooth and set it nearby.

Step 02

Boil a pot of water and let your noodles cook until they’re very firm—pull them out 2-3 minutes before the package says they’re done. Drain them and rinse under cold water if you like to stop the cooking.

Step 03

Throw a splash of oil in a big pan and heat it on medium-high. Add your tofu, mushrooms, or veggies and cook them until they’re to your liking.

Step 04

Give your sauce a good stir again to mix it up, then pour it into the pan with the cooked tofu or veggie mix. Let it cook on medium heat for a few minutes (2–3) and keep stirring while it thickens.

Step 05

Toss your noodles into the pan and mix everything up, making sure the noodles soak up that sauce evenly. Cook for about 3 minutes on medium-high, letting the sauce get thicker and coat everything nicely.

Step 06

Give it a taste and tweak the seasoning if needed. Dish it up and top with sesame seeds and chopped scallions. Dig in right away for the best flavor and texture!

Notes

  1. If you’re adding a lot of veggies or tofu, make extra sauce so everything gets coated!
  2. When using veggie broth, you might need less soy sauce—taste and tweak as you go.

Tools You'll Need

  • A large pot to cook the noodles
  • A frying pan or wok for cooking the tofu, veggies, or mushrooms
  • A mixing bowl to get the sauce ready
  • A whisk or fork for stirring up the sauce
  • A strainer or colander for draining the noodles

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Ramen noodles have wheat
  • Soy products might be included (from soy sauce and tofu)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 350
  • Total Fat: 10 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 45 g
  • Protein: 12 g