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 and quick to make. It’s all cooked in one pan – no need to boil the noodles separately!
Also see: Chicken Vegetable Ramen Noodles and Asian Mushroom Ramen Noodles!
Caramelised Asian Beef Ramen Noodles recipe
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 pan!
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 else can I add to these 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.
Use ramen 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
PS I put together a handy ground beef / beef mince recipe collection, for everybody who, like me, pops beef mince in their shopping cart every week!
Quick Asian ground beef ramen noodles
Watch how to make it
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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.
- Sauté onion and garlic – Heat oils in a medium skillet over high heat. Add onion and garlic, cook for 1 1/2 minutes until starting to go golden.
- Cook beef – Add beef and cook, breaking it up as you go, until it changes from pink to light brown.
- Caramelise beef – Add Sauce and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until well caramelised (see video).
- Add water and noodles – Push beef to the side to make enough space for the noodles. Add water, place noodles in water.
- Cook ramen – 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 or 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:
More noodle recipes
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
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. 🙄
Is black soy sauce the same as dark soy sauce? I used a combo of black and low sodium soy sauce. I didn’t get the WOW factor as some others, but it was good. My favorite recipe of yours is the baked Ziti.
Oh Wow!! I made this for dinner tonight and it was fabulous! Next I’m going to make your chili mac and cheese, it looks delicious too. Thanks so much for the recipes.
You’re so welcome Barb!!
Where is the serving slider pls, I’m feeding 3 hungry adults..
It’s in the recipe card, just click on the servings number and it will pop up 🙂
Sorry Nagi, I have lost your message asking you what brand of pots and pans do you usually use? Cheers
This was outstanding! So easy and flavorful. Everyone in the family loved it. The only change I might make is to add another noodle packet as we wished there were more noodles to go with the beef mixture.
I’m so glad it was a hit, you can always add more noodles, you may just need to increase the water so they cook evenly – N x
Wow, yet another family favourite, thank you! So easy and everyone loved it, an absolute winner. And how good is the serving slider!? Genius, thanks again.
Quick, easy and full of flavour, Have cooked this recipe a few times as it is so good
Yesssss! Great to hear Josephine!
This is a great recipe. My husband and I loved it. Thanks.
What could I replace the oyster sauce with? My husband is allergic.
Hi Brittany, the mushroom based “Oyster” sauce is amazing! – N x
We have this often for dinner, great family meal. Quick, easy to add extra veg, tasty and enjoyed by all. Biggest challenge is getting all the noodles in the pan!
😂 You may need a bigger pan!
Thank you for the sauce recipe!!!! It is delicious!
I decided that instead of ramen noodle, I mix the cooked ground beef with cooked pasta 🙂
Sounds great Hai!
I’ve just discovered your website and I’m so inspired to get cooking. I know you say any noodles will do but I’m curious if you have a preferred brand for the different types of noodles? Especially the flat rice noodles. I’ve tried a few but they just don’t taste like the ones you get in restaurants (or maybe I’m just not cooking them right 😉
My family really liked this! I doubled the ground beef and increased the sauce by 50% – so good! I will make this again and again. Thanks for the quick and tasty recipe.
I’m so glad you loved it Janice!!
Made this for dinner last night it was super easy to cook and tasted lovely
Wahoo, that’s great Diane!
This was delicious and very easy to make. Unfortunately I forgot to add the bean sprouts, have to do that next time!
Hi Fiona, no big deal – I always mix it up with whatever veggies I have on hand!
This is the 4th time making and devouring this. Magnifico!
That’s great John!
Yummy and quick!! Tried to use low sodium with ingredients I could. I had to forego sprouts as they were not fresh looking in grocery store and omitted onions to reduce food waste from leftover onion. Meal still came out very delicious. I will definitely make again by serving just the meat + sauces and green onion nectar to rice with a fried egg!!
It’s so versatile Batini you can use whatever you have on hand!!
Love Your recipes, I am makes them soon. Thank You
You’re so welcome Sue!
I love your recipes, I will try them soon especially the Thai and noodles. I make Chicken Soup with them all the time. Thanks.
Excellent! Sauce was super good!
Wahoo, thanks Brian! ❤️
Another fantastic recipe from you Nagi. You are my go to girl for all my recipes now. Thank you so much.
Me too!
You’re so welcome Marnie!