A little change will do you good! Gochujang Noodles are a great way to add something new when a little spice is needed in your culinary life. Crunchy kale, crispy cucumber sticks, thick udon noodles, and a spicy gochujang paste are joined with other sweet and savory seasonings to create the noodle dish you didn’t know you were missing. Gochujang Noodles are a wonderful new flavor experience that you’re sure to love! Let’s get spicy!
Ingredients
For the noodles:
- 1 (8-ounce) package udon noodles
- 1/4 cup gochujang paste, or to taste
- 1/2 cup water, divided
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 (10-ounce) bunch dinosaur (lacinato) kale, ribs removed, roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup scallions, sliced, divided
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
For serving:
- 1/2 cup cucumbers, matchstick-cut
- toasted sesame seeds, to taste
- toasted sesame oil, to taste
- 1/2 lime, cut into 4 wedges
Directions
Step 1 –In a large pot of salted, boiling water, add the udon noodles and cook, while stirring occasionally, until the noodles are al dente, about 10-12 minutes.
Step 2 –Drain the udon noodles and rinse them under cool water.
Step 3 –In a bowl, add the gochujang (adding more to taste for an increased spice level), 1/4 cup of the water, the soy sauce, the maple syrup, and the lime juice and whisk to combine.
Step 4 –In a wok or a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil until it is shimmering.
Step 5 –Add the kale, 1/4 cup of the scallions, the garlic, the salt, and the pepper and cook, while stirring constantly with tongs, until the kale is just wilted and tender and the garlic and the scallions are glossy, about 2 minutes.
Step 6 –Add the sauce mixture to the kale mixture and cook until the sauce is slightly thickened and darkened in color, about 1-2 minutes.
Step 7 –Add the udon noodles to the skillet and cook until the sauce is bubbling where it pools, about 2-3 minutes. If it looks like there isn’t enough of the sauce, add the remaining water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the sauce coats the noodles. You may not need to use all or any of the remaining water.
Step 8 –Top the noodle mixture with the cucumber, the remaining scallions, the sesame seeds, and the sesame oil.
Step 9 –Serve warm with the lime wedges.
