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. 🙄
I’m not a big beef lover for a variety of reasons, but I’m thinking this might work with ground turkey? This recipe has all the flavors I love (and noodles to boot!) so I’m thinking I’ll give that a try. I’m wondering if there’s some way to cut the sodium without sacrificing flavor? Any ideas?
As for non-commercial dog food, for the past few years I’ve been feeding my brood home-cooked food using my slow cooker. I toss in ground turkey, sometimes other meat (e.g. ground beef, various meats on sale, leftover chicken, etc), sweet potato, carrots, peas, green beans, whatever. No seasonings, not even salt. It’s so easy, so healthy, and the dogs devour it.
Slow cooker! What a terrific way to make pet food at home, especially when cooking for more than one pet! Do you need to add any water to the mix of meat proteins, or do the vegetables release enough moisture content into it while it all cooks?
Just saw that you mentioned turkey as a substitute… missed that on first read! Think I’ll pass on the kangaroo though.
I love your recipes, but the sodium content is so high!!! Even using low sodium soy sauce makes it still too high!! My husband and I love Asian food but our blood pressure can’t take it. Please find some low-sodium recipes. Always looking for Dozer, he’s a doll.
Ahh Teresa, this one is hard with the sodium because it includes the sodium from the instant soup broth packs that come with the noodles, and I didn’t know how to remove just the sodium from that! Let me have another look and see if I can manually calculate the nutrition then I will update it 🙂 If you use low sodium soy sauce, then the sodium content shouldn’t be that high for this because there’s very little in noodles and the other sauces. 🙂 N x
I’ll definitely try this with a healthier noodle:). Thank you- looks delicious!
This looks so delicious! I can’t wait to try it! Pinning <3
Hi I love your recipes and for Dozer , I had Dog Mercy for 15 years she never ate Dog food , I cooked every two weeks put food in containers portion for two days at a time from freezer it was eighter ground lamb or beef , 50 percent meat 25 of rice and 25 of veggies ,I would put meat to boil in water cook till almost done lift the meat out of the water because fat control ,wash and cook rice ,use a cooked veggie like carrot pumpin was her favorite mix and freeze in containers ,she was 55 LBS ,so I was using about two cups twice a day , I used flax seed oil twice a week for her fur , vitamins is up to you , I also made cookies flours were rye buck wheat ,peanut butter, pumpkin ,apple sauce ,made them small after baking left them to dry for 24 hours no mold container with screen Pass it on please
Lilygar, Nice to see just how you loved your Pup, I can feel all your love- good job!
Hi Nagi, that recipe looks perfect EXCEPT that I detest bean sprouts. Any other suggestions for substitutes? Thank you for all the wonderful recipes that you have shared over this past year, every one that I’ve made has turned out perfect! Wishing you, your family and that great big wonderful Dozer a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and hope that 2019 brings you everything you want.
Hi Faith, if you’re after a bit of crunch that you’d usually get with bean sprouts, personally I’d sub in finely julienned carrot. I used to be a hater too, and that’s what I would do!
I’m going to try it with baby spinach, as it’s in my fridge waiting to be used.
Love all your recipes and LOVE the updates on your dog !
Should not give dogs or cats raw chickens and bones. High chance of salmonella. There are several reputable websites that have recipes for raw diets with directions.
And many types of bones turn in to sharp shards once eaten– chicken is definitely one of the worst in this regard. I once made one of my dogs totally miserable (and surely endangered her life) by giving her some meat bones a neighbor gave me that broke up that way and made her so sick all night. I can’t imagine what all those sharp pieces did to her poor tummy. Never again.
Haven’t tried yet, but on my list. Sounds great.
Why the Paleo diet for Dozer?
Ooooh!! I can’t wait to give this a go. You know Italian cooking and Asian is quite similar. Of course, we don’t use the same seasoning but the use of meat with noodles is very popular. Perhaps that is why we love your Asian recipes. We have at least one a week. And I would recognize Dozer’s smile anywhere as well as recognize my favorite Australian blogger.Sending hugs.
Hi Nagi. I have noticed this ingredient on a few of your recipes that I haven’t yet tried & again on todays recipe being the Quick Asian Beef & noodles which sound like another great recipe, so decided to ask the question. What is toasted sesame oil? I have never heard of it before. I always have the regular sesame oil & home, but googling says they are both very different and the toasted one I have been unable to find here on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland.
Thanks Nagi.
Hi Robyn! The brown sesame oil we get here in Australia is toasted 🙂 In some countries, they sell untoasted and toasted. I will pop a note in the recipe! N x
Thanks for the quick reply Nagi. Problem solved then. I will get on with making this and let all know the results. Positive I’m sure given no others from you have failed to please 🙂
Love the beef noodle recipe ..easy peasy👍 also saw Dozer sniffing at the sardine..FYI a few weeks ago Luca was diagnosed with arthritis in the left and right wrist also arthritis in right shoulder he is 10 yrs old. .anyway..our vet suggested we move him onto a raw diet of ground chicken and bones plus greens..he is enjoying the food so far so good..Gillian x