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. 🙄
soo easy and delicious. I made it with beef, but might make it with a lighter flavored meat next time (ground pork, maybe). The beef really came through the dish, and would like to highlight the sauce a little more. Definitely a keeper meal–especially with a growing family of boys. I can see us using it for years.
Also like your new format. Easy to navigate and as always your photos are beautiful! Try and love so many of your recipes. Thank you!
Loved this dish! I made this for dinner, it wa easy and quick. Had to buy the different sauces needed…but worth it!
Will make again!
This was so easy and soooo onolicous!!! i also made it with chicken 😋
Love your new website as well, very easy & loving Dozer page & to cute Dozer in the pancake shot.
Your new site seems bright and clear. I especially like your quick and easy section, as well as the collections. My son married a Japanese woman and has been living in Japan for years, so the recipes from his new homeland are of special interest to me!
Your site looks beautiful Nagi! Love the the new format! And what a great recipe…one pot, instant noodles, caramelized beef? I’m all about it!
Nagi I do like your new website it is easy to navigate, thank you.
Tried this recipe tonight. So quick, easy, economical and delicious.. As you said the key is to caramelise and bring out that flavour.
Thanks Nagi.
Loved the look of this recipe..guess I did not caramelize enough..it seemed to have too much liquid… AKHHHH help…my first failure in all the recipes of yours that I have made… and not really a failure.. but sad! maybe my beef was too liquidy? XXOO barb
Any subs for dark soy sauce?
This was so easy and delicious.
Love your site
Love Dozer
Trying this tonight!
BTW Chicken cordon bleu was an enormous hit as was chicken stroganoff
Thanks
Angela from Southampton England!
This is agreat recipe! Well done. 👀 ng forward to sharing it with the whole family.
Thanks so much Cath!
Hi Nagi
We had this for dinner tonight and it was EXCELLENT… will have it again next week when all the family are home, but my youngest daughter and I really enjoyed it. Thank you. Cheers Cath
Good luck with the barf diet for Dozer. It’s how I’ve fed my dogs since 1993, and it’s all pros. Their bones should be small and raw, which means they’re pliable, soft and edible. Big thigh bones and dried and cooked bones are splintery and no good. A bit of veg, offal, fatty fish, eggs….So your dog gets ghost poos, super clean teeth, sweet breath, healthy skin and coat, no weight problems, and a well-regulated appetite. If you’re transitioning, offering it cooked for the first few weeks then slowly less and less cooking should assist. Chicken necks, wings and cages are all good. We have had a couple of now 10 yr old chow chow rescues for a couple of years, and we mostly cook their food, but throw in a few raw wings and necks now and then. Due to their previous poor diet they have broken and missing teeth, and can’t quite digestively cope as well as all our previous dogs, but have made great strides on decent homemade food…We wish you and Dozer all the best.
“I’ve noticed vegetarian oyster sauce in the supermarkets lately!”
But it’s not the same; it’s runny rather than thick and it tastes different.
I use Pandaroo thin egg noodles in this type of dish. They only take 3–4 minutes to soften. I am inordinately fond of one pot meals even though SWMBO does the washing up in return for gourmet meals.
I intend to attempt to cook a turkey properly this Christmas thanks to your suggestions. Wish me luck 😉
Thank you Nagi…. Brilliant! Just wish Mom was was here because she would have LOVED your site and absolutely made a home at your Moms site! Give Dozier a big nuzzle for me and know that your work is appreciated. Merry Christmas!
Ha! Shall be having a variation thereof in about an hour, as I often do during the work week . . . usually use hokkien or other fresh packaged noodles for far better taste and food value methinks with more vegetables but same speed . . . lived at home during all my uni years and my European mom would not touch the two-minute kind of noodles . . . 🙂 !!!
Hi Nagi
Thank you for your recipes. We love your Meat Loaf, chicken tenders and I will try your Beef & noodles. Keep up the good work. I live in Calgary Alberta Canada. I also love the pictures of Dozer.
Take care
This is highly likely to be our dinner tonight! It is right up my alley–noodles having hoisin and oyster sauces in the mix are very big favorites at our house, and one pot meals thrill me no end!
Does Dozer need to be extra-svelte to protect his knees post-surgery? Adding 1-1.5 cups organic green beans to the recommended portions of dog foods (homemade or commercial) has had great success with helping satisfy dogs’ appetites, while adding only minimal calories to do so. Some dogs (but mainly puppies having no other frame of reference) seem to enjoy carrot sticks or carrot chunks in lieu of dog treats or training treats, too. My large coon cat would have devoured that sardine in a New York minute!