Dive into a bowl of pure comfort with these incredibly easy Gochujang Butter Noodles. This recipe is your new weeknight hero, transforming simple ingredients into a dish bursting with spicy, sweet, and savory umami flavors in just 20 minutes. Thick, chewy noodles are tossed in a rich, velvety sauce made from Korean gochujang and melted butter, then finished with a delightful crunch from homemade crispy shallots. It's the satisfying, slurpy noodle dish you've been craving.
Place the thinly sliced shallots and neutral oil in a cold, small frying pan. Turn the heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, for 8-10 minutes. As the shallots begin to colour, stir more frequently until they are uniformly golden brown and crisp. Be watchful as they can burn quickly at the end. Use a slotted spoon to transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate and sprinkle lightly with salt. Set aside.
While the shallots are frying, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook the udon noodles according to the package instructions (fresh noodles usually only need 2-3 minutes). Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of the starchy noodle water. Drain the noodles and set them aside.
In the same pan you used for the shallots (you can wipe it out or leave any remaining oil for extra flavour), melt the butter over medium-low heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Whisk in the gochujang, soy sauce, and honey until a smooth paste forms. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
Add the drained noodles directly to the pan with the sauce. Pour in ¼ cup of the reserved noodle water and the optional heavy cream. Toss everything together vigorously until the noodles are thoroughly coated and the sauce becomes glossy and creamy. If the sauce is too thick, add more reserved noodle water, one tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency. Divide the noodles between two bowls and top generously with the crispy shallots, sliced spring onions, and toasted sesame seeds. Serve immediately.
Servings 2
Serving Size 1 bowl (~380g)
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
G'day, We're Alex & Nettie! We're an Aussie couple based in Perth Australia, and we're passionate about creating quick, healthy meals that are bursting with flavour. Here you'll find simple and delicious recipes, complete with step-by-step instructions to guarantee perfect results every time. Happy cooking!
