Garlic Noodles Recipe: How to Make Simple Garlic Noodles
Written by MasterClass
Last updated: Feb 16, 2024 • 2 min read
Garlic noodles are pure comfort food. Learn how to make them at home with this easy recipe.
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What Are Garlic Noodles?
Garlic noodles are an Asian-Western fusion noodle dish featuring lots of garlic and an umami-packed sauce. They're typically made with springy Chinese egg noodles, but spaghetti works, too.
The Origins of Garlic Noodles
Garlic noodles are believed to have been invented in the 1970s by Helene An, known as one of the founders of Asian fusion cuisine. At her restaurants Thanh Long in San Francisco and Crustacean in San Francisco and Beverly Hills, An cooked food influenced by her Vietnamese roots as well as Chinese, French, and Italian cuisine. After trying spaghetti aglio e olio (spaghetti with garlic and oil) for the first time at an Italian restaurant in San Francisco, An set out to reinvent the dish. Today, garlic noodles are popular in Asian restaurants throughout the United States and in home kitchens.
What to Serve With Garlic Noodles
Garlic noodles can be a meal on their own, or a delicious side dish. Try them with:
- Grilled shellfish: Garlic noodles are a great accompaniment for grilled tiger prawns, shrimp, crab, and other shellfish.
- Vegetable stir-fry: Quickly stir-fry your favorite veggies (such as zucchini, bell pepper, and tomatoes in the summer or bok choy and peas in the spring) in a wok for an easy weeknight dinner.
- Salad with ginger dressing: Serve garlic noodles alongside a simple green salad with ginger dressing, another Asian-American invention.
Garlic Noodles Recipe
makes
prep time
15 mintotal time
30 mincook time
15 minIngredients
- 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- 2
In a small bowl, whisk together the oyster sauce, fish sauce, soy sauce, and brown sugar. Set aside.
- 3
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt the oil and butter.
- 4
Reduce to medium-low heat and add the minced garlic. Sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the sauce and stir.
- 5
Meanwhile, cook the noodles for slightly less time than the package instructions suggest so they’re slightly firmer than al dente.
- 6
Drain the noodles, reserving 1 cup of the starchy cooking water.
- 7
Transfer the noodles and about ¼ cup cooking water to the skillet with the garlic.
- 8
Cook, tossing the noodles constantly with tongs, until they are fully cooked and coated with garlic sauce. The noodles should look glossy, not greasy. If the pan dries out before the noodles are fully cooked, add a little more pasta water.
- 9
Serve immediately. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds, if desired.
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