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. 🙄
Was feeding a crowd of kids so upscaled the recipe and it was a hit. Great, quick, easy and tasty recipe.
Wahoo, perfect Jill! N x
This recipe is the best! Make it all the time. My family love love love it.
This was fantastic, thank you!
This has quickly become one of our favourite go to recipes when we come home late and tired after work but still want to eat sth tasty. I usually throw in some extra veggies like carrots, bell peppers or broccoli to make it a bit more healthy.
Can this be made with ground pork instead?
Sure can Lisa! N x
I love this recipe and so does all my family! I have made it a couple of times and the second time I was left with quite a bit of liquid making it a little soupy. Would this be due to the type of noodles I used? In both cases I used 2 minutes noodles but the second time were very cheap ones.
can i make this recipe using your special stir fry sauce that i have already made and keep in the fridge?
Nagi, thank you for being a genius! These have become a Friday night after school sport favourite – on the table in minutes, cheap as chips, delicious and easy to bulk up with mushrooms and spinach. Delicious!!
I like to slice.up some Brussels sprouts. Fry them and toss those on the noodles .
Great idea Wayne! Thanks for that! N x
I can’t believe such a simple recipe could taste so good. It is trule fast food, ideal after a busy day at work. I added water chestnuts purely because my husband loves them and I thought they really suited the dish. It was a big hit
I love this recipe and so do my family. I change it up a bit by adding
1Tsp Kashmiri chilli powder
1 tin of diced shiitake mushrooms
1/2 chopped lettuce… yep … lettuce.
It’s my go to quick mid week recipe
I find the caramelisation process takes about 10 minute … so worth the wait
Y
Thanks Navi
Hi Jackii, try using cabbage in place of lettuce, it won’t wilt down and go soggy like lettuce does 🙂 N x
Thanks again for another great recipe! Was wondering what to cook for the fussy kids tonight – they ate the whole lot and said they loved it!! I used pork instead of beef as that’s all I had in the freezer and saw that someone else had done the same in the comments. Yum!
18 year old son loved this recipe! How would you suggest to add a little heat? My husband and I love spicy. I have pinned so many of your recipes — thank you!
Hi Michele, a little chilli paste or sriracha will give it a good kick! N x
Can I use normal egg noodles instead of ramen? If so then do I need to cook it before I add them?
My partner doesn’t like ramen (even though there’s almost no difference)
I haven’t made this yet but the intro comment about looking in the fridge and thinking – I cant make a spag bowl AGAIN had me in absolute stitches!!! You know my pain! HElla broke but so bored of goddam mince beef hahaha – not anymore gunna try this tomorrow±!!
I don’t usually comment, but I (and the gang) have LOVED so many of your recipes. But notably, this one tonight! Granted we are a family of 5, but I made a big batch using the sliding scale for 5servings (equiv. to 500g mince) and there is not a single noodle left!! 👌👏😱
This is the BEST!!! I’m so happy it was a hit! N X
Hi Naga,
What a ‘quick cook’ fabulous recipe! So tasty and easy. I’d never looked at packet ramem noodles like this before. Found your recipes during lockdown here in the UK and subscribed. I really appreciate your notes for us overseas folk. I subscribe to many but I look forward to your recipes the most.
Oh yumm this was delicious. I was looking for a noodle recipe to go with pan fried salmon and decided to try this one without the beef. Because I didn’t use beef I put the beef flavour pkg in it. I just toasted sesame seeds in the pan then put all the sauce ingredients in the pan with the flavour pkg and added the noodles. Sooo good. I didn’t have oyster sauce so I just used more hoisin sauce. I can’t wait to try this with ground beef! Thanks for the recipe
Yum!
This dish is easily one of my favourite meals of all time!!! I crave it…a lot! I make it… a lot! Thank-you Nagi!