10 Recipes Using Trader Joe’s Thai Wheat Noodles

10 Recipes Using Trader Joe’s Thai Wheat Noodles

10 Ways to Use Trader Joe’s Thai Wheat Noodles in Recipes 

Thai Wheat Noodles from Trader Joe’s are fully cooked, ready-to-eat, and shelf-stable noodles perfect for quick and easy cooking!

Infographic for 10 ways to use Trader Joes Thai Wheat Noodles with a picture of the noodles, a bowl of noodles and the author

 

Why You Need To Try Trader Joe’s Thai Wheat Noodles

They are excellent for when you don’t feel like making a mess in the kitchen but want to have something nourishing, healthy, and delicious.

Because these noodles are preserved at room temperature, they are excellent in anything from stir fries to soups to your favorite power bowl with crispy tofu!

Below are 10 easy ways to make Trader Joe’s Thai Wheat Noodles!

 

Peanut Noodle Stir Fry in a large skillet with props including cilantro, green onions, peanut sauce, and a black bowl with chopsticks

Noodle Stir Fries

Thai Peanut Noodle Stir Fry

Peanut Noodle stir-fries are an excellent way to enjoy these noodles. Pair them with your favorite store-bought peanut sauce and veggies! 

Alternatively, make your delicious peanut sauce! It is super easy and you can make it with less than 5 ingredients! 

I love to top my Thai Peanut Noodle stir fry with Baked Tofu or a chili crisp fried egg. 

 

Stir Fry Noodle pull with chopsticks on a wooden cutting board.

 

Pad Thai Inspired Recipe

A Thai takeout fave, Pad Thai! Make your variation of Pad Thai with these thicker wheat noodles. Traditionally, Pad Thai is made with rice noodles, stir-fried with eggs, tofu, fish sauce, garlic, sugar, lime, and crushed peanuts.

Make a Pad Thai-inspired dish right at home with veggies like bean sprouts, bell peppers, onions, and your favorite protein of choice. I like to make a quick pad Thai sauce with fish sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, and sriracha!

Make an egg free Pad Thai by using a silken tofu scramble to replace the scrambled eggs!

 

Thai Noodle Curries

 

Red or Green Curry

I love to make a Thai Curry full of vegetables and tofu. I’ll make the curry and often serve it with rice. You can easily swap out the rice and enjoy a delicious Red or Green Curry dish with Thai Wheat Noodles. 

 

three bowls - a big pot of butter bean curry, a black bowl with a single serving of butter bean curry, and a small yellow bowl with herbs.

Massaman Curry

One of my favorite Thai curries is Massaman curry. It is spicy, salty, sour, and sweet! This creamy curry is made with coconut milk and infused with spices like cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and cumin.

Massaman curry is excellent as a warm and cozy meal. While traditionally served with chicken, I love adding tofu or even lentils. Opt for Thai wheat noodles instead of rice for a twist on this Thai Curry dish!

 

Top down of a blue dutch oven with Mexican Street Corn Soup in it

 

Thai Wheat Noodle Soups 

Chicken Noodle Soup

Thai Wheat Noodles make for a fun variation of chicken noodle soup. 

Just take your favorite chicken noodle soup recipe and exchange the noodles for Thai wheat noodles. 

 

Coconut Curry Noodle Soup

Change things up and make the chicken noodle soup a Thai-inspired Coconut Curry Noodle soup.

To make this, add lots of thinly sliced onion, ginger, garlic, mushrooms, red or green curry paste, coconut milk, and freshly squeezed lime!

 

Easy-Bake-Tofu-Grain-Bowl

Other Ideas for Trader Joe’s Thai Wheat Noodles

Noodle Power Bowl

Make a delicious and healthy power bowl by layering the Thai wheat noodles with lots of chopped spinach or other leafy green, chopped veggies, and your favorite salad dressing. 

 

I love to use my Spicy Cashew Dressing in a Thai Wheat Noodle power bowl! 

 

Vegetable packed Spring Rolls on a stoneware plate with a side of peanut sauce

Spring Rolls & Lettuce Wraps

Change up your spring rolls recipe by swapping the vermicelli noodles with Thai wheat noodles! Prepare them just like you would Vietnamese spring rolls, also referred to as salad rolls. You can use Nuoc Cham sauce as a dipping sauce or I love to use Peanut Sauce.

 

Maybe my favorite way to use these noodles is in lettuce cups! Cheesecake Factory makes amazing Thai Lettuce Wraps, but they use egg noodles. Recreate them at home and use Thai wheat noodles instead! You can have dipping sauces like hoisin, chili oil, or peanut sauce. Just cut iceberg lettuce in half and chop up your favorite add-ins like peanuts, bean sprouts, green onions, red pepper, shredded carrots, shredded chicken or baked tofu, and, of course, Thai wheat noodles. 

 

Have a blast mixing and matching ingredients to make individualized Spring Rolls and Thai Lettuce Wraps.

 

Like These Recipes? Check Out More Recipe Round Ups!

10+ Gluten Free Dairy Free Cookie Recipes

Quick and Easy 10+ Veggie Packed Recipes

32 Quick and Easy Flexitarian Dinner Ideas

 

Trader Joe’s Thai Wheat Noodles Peanut Stir Fry Recipe

Trader Joe’s Thai Wheat Noodles Peanut Stir Fry Recipe

Thai Wheat Noodles with Peanut Sauce

This Trader Joe’s Thai Wheat Noodles recipe is nutritious, delicious, and ready in under 30 minutes! The perfect weeknight meal for when you don’t feel like making a mess in the kitchen. 

Trader Joes Thai Wheat Noodles with Peanut Sauce in a stoneware pasta bowl with noodles swirled around black chopsticks

What are Trader Joe’s Thai Wheat Noodles?

Trader Joe’s Thai Wheat Noodles are fully cooked, ready-to-eat, and shelf-stable wheat noodles. One package contains three ready-to-use noodle packages located in the Trader Joe’s grocery aisle near ramen and other noodles. 

Per Trader Joe’s website, they are made from scratch by a supplier in Thailand. These noodles are soft, chewy, and delicious. 

Because they are preserved at room temperature, they are excellent in anything from soups to curries to stir-fries. 

Peanut Noodle Stir Fry in a large skillet with props including cilantro, green onions, peanut sauce, and a black bowl with chopsticks

Ingredients in this Trader Joe’s Thai Wheat Noodles Recipe

This recipe comes together in a flash! The stir fry only requires 5 ingredients not including the sauce.

Trader Joe’s Thai Wheat Noodles:

You could sub for another noodle of choice such as udon, soba, rice noodles, or even linguini. 

Vegetables: 

Feel free to customize this selection of veggies to suit your preferences or whatever you have available!

  • Red Bell Peppers
  • Onions
  • Green Onions
  • Cilantro

Easy Peanut Sauce:

This peanut sauce recipe comes together effortlessly and quickly.

  • Peanut Butter
  • Hoisin
  • Soy Sauce
  • Rice Vinegar – (lime juice would be excellent as well)
  • Ginger
  • Garlic

Peanut Noodle Stir Fry in a large skillet with props including cilantro, green onions, peanut sauce, and a black bowl with chopsticks

Step – By – Step Instructions

Delicious Peanut Sauce

  • In a small saucepan over low heat, whisk together peanut butter, hoisin, soy sauce, rice vinegar, grated ginger, and garlic until smooth.
  • Gradually add water, 1 tbsp at a time, stirring continuously until the sauce reaches your desired consistency. Set aside.

Prepare the Noodles

  • Prepare the noodles according to the package instructions.

Stir-Fry the Vegetables

  • Heat avocado oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
  • Add minced onions and cook for about 30 seconds, until fragrant.
  • Add sliced red bell pepper to the skillet.
  • Stir-fry the vegetables for 3-4 minutes until they are tender-crisp.

Combine Everything

  • Add cooked noodles to the skillet with the stir-fried vegetables.
  • Pour the prepared peanut sauce over the noodles and vegetables.
  • Toss everything together until well coated and heated through about 2-3 minutes.

Serve

  • Transfer the stir-fried noodles and vegetables to serving plates.
  • Garnish with lime wedges, chopped green onions, and fresh cilantro.
  • Serve hot and enjoy your stir-fried Thai Wheat Noodles with Peanut Sauce!

Trader Joe's thai wheat noodles below a big pot of peanut sauce prepared noodles

Other Flavor Variations for this Peanut Noodles Recipe

Change up the Noodles 

You can use fresh noodles, egg noodles, ramen noodles, rice noodles, Banza Protein+ spaghetti.

Make It Spicy Noodles 

Add in any of the following, Sambal Olek, Sriracha, chili oil, red pepper, or Chili Crisp for a spicy sauce.

Make It Sesame Noodles

For more sesame flavor, omit the peanut butter and use tahini, drizzle toasted sesame oil to finish this dish.

Change up the Veggies

Use your favorite combination of vegetables, or use what you have on hand.

More Ways To Use Trader Joe’s Thai Wheat Noodles

The best part about Trader Joe’s Thai Wheat Noodles is their versatility in recipes. You can use them in soup, stir fry, or curry!

You could even make a variation of pad Thai using these noodles. Rather than rice noodles, use these wheat noodles. Then add a chili-fried egg over top for a delicious pad Thai-inspired recipe!

Check out my article 10 Easy Trader Joe’s What Wheat Noodles Recipes for more inspiration!

Benefits Of Thai Wheat Noodles

These Thai Wheat Noodles are Dietitian Approved! I love them for a variety of reasons. Check out my article all about the benefits of these noodles.

Infographic discussing the benefits of using Trader Joes Thai Wheat Noodles

FAQ (Ask A Dietitian)

How do you cook wheat noodles?

These noodles are already fully cooked, shelf-stable, and ready to eat! Depending on the dish, you might prepare these noodles slightly differently. Check out my article 10 Easy Trader Joe’s What Wheat Noodles Recipes for more info on how to make these noodles in 10 different dishes!

Are wheat noodles healthy for you?

Cooking wheat noodles in a dish with lean protein, vegetables, fiber, and healthy fats, is healthy for you! 

This Peanut Noodle recipe includes all of these things!

How long do these leftovers last in the refrigerator? 

These noodle leftovers will last about 3 days in the refrigerator. 

 

Noodles twirled around black chopsticks hovering over a bowl of Peanut Noodle Stir fry with veggies

Like This Recipe? Try These!

Noodles with Spicy Tahini Stir Fry Sauce

Easy Vegan Yakisoba-Inspired Noodles

Healthy Glass Noodle Salad Recipe

Easy Vietnamese Inspired Peanut Sauce For Noodles

Peanut Noodles in a stoneware pasta bowl with noodles swirled around black chopsticks

Trader Joe's Thai Wheat Noodles with Peanut Sauce

Sarah Harper MS, RD, LDN
Thai Wheat Noodles with Peanut Sauce uses Trader Joe's Thai Wheat Noodles and creates a savory delicious peanut noodle dish!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course dinner, lunch, Main Course
Cuisine American, Thai-Inspired
Servings 4 servings
Calories 524 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 wok or large frying pan
  • 1 small sauce pan
  • measuring cups and spoons

Ingredients
  

Stir Fry

  • 3 packages Trader Joe's Thai Wheat Noodles
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 1 red pepper cut into strips
  • 1 tbsp avocado oil

Peanut Sauce

  • ½ cup peanut butter
  • ¼ cup Hoisin sauce
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp rice wine vinegar
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated

Garnishes/Toppings

  • ¼ cup cilantro, chopped
  • ¼ cup green onion, chopped

Instructions
 

Prepare Peanut Sauce

  • In a small saucepan over low heat, whisk together peanut butter, hoisin, soy sauce, rice vinegar, grated ginger, and garlic until smooth.
  • Gradually add water, 1 tbsp at a time, stirring continuously until the sauce reaches your desired consistency. Set aside.

Prepare the Noodles 

  • Prepare the noodles according to the package instructions.

Stir-Fry the Vegetables

  • Heat avocado oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
  • Add minced onions and cook for about 30 seconds, until fragrant.
  • Add sliced red bell pepper to the skillet.
  • Stir-fry the vegetables for 3-4 minutes until they are tender-crisp.

Combine Everything

  • Add cooked noodles to the skillet with the stir-fried vegetables.
  • Pour the prepared peanut sauce over the noodles and vegetables.
  • Toss everything together until well coated and heated through about 2-3 minutes.

Serve

  • Transfer the stir-fried noodles and vegetables to serving plates.
  • Garnish with lime wedges, chopped green onions, and fresh cilantro.

Nutrition

Calories: 524kcalCarbohydrates: 68gProtein: 17gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 1021mgPotassium: 385mgFiber: 6gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 1063IUVitamin C: 42mgCalcium: 62mgIron: 2mg
Keyword 30 minutes or less, Noodles
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Easy and Delicious Jalapeno Pickled Eggs Recipe

Easy and Delicious Jalapeno Pickled Eggs Recipe

Spicy Jalapeno Pickled Eggs

These Jalapeno Pickled Eggs are one of my favorite eggs recipe and I always have a jar on hand. Moreover, not only are these Jalapeno Pickled Eggs delicious, but they can be prepped, cooked, and finished in under an hour.

These quick pickled eggs serve as the perfect snack option or can elevate a main course meal like salads, ramen noodle soup, or even jazz up avocado toast with some of those pickled jalapeno slices and jalapeno hard-boiled eggs.

Below, I’ll discuss the ingredients, preparation, and cooking, how to utilize pickled eggs, and how to shop for eggs; one of my favorite low-cost proteins.

jalapeno-pickled-eggs-in-jar

The Ingredients in Jalapeno Pickled Eggs

Large Eggs: I use peeled hard boiled eggs. The eggs can be prepped and cooked in 30min from start to finish in an instapot!

Alternatively, you could make jalapeno quail pickled eggs. Just swap the hard-boiled peeled chicken eggs for quail eggs! You won’t be able to find those in any grocery store!

Fresh Jalapeno: The jalapenos add flavor without being overly spicy. Add as many or as few as you desire – more jalapenos means more spicy flavors! IMO the best pickled eggs are spicy!

White Vinegar: I use white distilled vinegar in this recipe. Option to include other vinegars in the vinegar mixture such as apple cider vinegar, champagne vinegar, or even black vinegar.

Water: I use a 3:1 ratio of vinegar to water tp make this pickling liquid.

Salt and/or sugar: Depending on the flavors you enjoy, you can add some salt or sugar, but they are not required. I love to add honey to my Jalapeno Picked Eggs. Some other flavor profiles that would pair well with pickled eggs include garlic, peppercorns, fresh or dried dill, onion, and red pepper.

Optional Ingredients: Mustard seeds, black peppercorns, garlic cloves salt, honey, jalapeno juice, chili flakes, turmeric, and beets. Want to make this recipe even more “green-like” add some blanched green beans!

Jalapeno picked egg sliced on a cutting board with a jar full of jalapeno picked eggs behind it.

Egg Colors: Yellow and Pink

For a beautiful golden hue, add 1/8 tsp of turmeric. This also provides earthy turmeric flavors.

For a pink or purple hue, add a chunk of a canned or roasted beet directly into the jar with your eggs. The larger the beet chunk the deeper the color. Alternatively, you could add some beet juice to your spicy pickled eggs.

 

How to Make Jalapeno Pickled Eggs in four easy steps

1) Cook Hard Cooked Eggs

There are three ways I like to make hard-cooked eggs: boiled, baked, and in a pressure cooker. Follow the links below for more details on how to make hard-cooked eggs.

  • Pressure Cooker
  • **Bonus – Egg Cooker

2) Peeling Hard Cooked Eggs

  • To help peel your hard-cooked eggs, plunge the hot eggs into an ice bath immediately after cooking. Wait 2 to 3 minutes before handling. Warning: the eggs may be hot!
  • Crack the eggshell. Rolling can help crack the eggshell, but be careful because this can break or tear the egg, especially if it’s softer cooked.
  • Plunge the egg into the water bath used to cool the hot eggs. The water will assist in loosening the shell.
  • Peel from the largest end of the egg. There is often an air pocket on the larger end that make peeling easier.

3) Create the Brine in 2 simple steps

First, combine water and vinegar in a 1:3 ratio (1 cup of water to 3 cups of vinegar). Second, if adding honey or sugar you may want to dissolve the sugar in the vinegar-water mixture either by bringing the liquid to a boil on the stovetop or microwave. However, heating the brine is not required. I recommend bringing the brine to room temp before adding it to your cooked eggs.

4) Pickle the Eggs

In a 32oz sterile mason jar (or container with a lid) place 10 to 12 hard-cooked eggs. Then add your sliced jalapenos. Lastly, the brine over the hard-cooked eggs. You will likely have some leftover liquid you can use for a small batch of another pickled item (like red onion, more jalapenos, or cucumbers). Store the sealed container in the refrigerator for at least 72hrs.

How long do you let picked eggs sit before eating?

The National Center for Home Food Preservation suggests storing eggs in the refrigerator at all times. Medium eggs may require 2 to 4 weeks to be well seasoned but the hardest part about this recipe is waiting that long! Use the eggs within 3 to 4 months for the best quality.

 

top down of many jalapeno picked eggs in a green bowl. Some slices of jalapenos dispersed throughout.

 

Pickled Eggs and How to Use This Egg Recipe

Maybe you haven’t seen many pickled eggs sold in grocery stores or restaurants but, in Pennsylvania for instance, pickled beet eggs are very pretty popular, especially around Easter. You might even find a jar of pickled beet eggs presented in rural PA bars. There are endless ways to add eggs, and picked eggs to other recipes but find some of my favorites below.

My favorite ways to use picked eggs include:

  • As a salad topper
  • Addition to charcuterie boards
  • Served over avocado toast
  • A snack (season with salt and pepper)
  • In an egg salad (the picked aspect will bring even more flavor)
  • Used when making deviled eggs
  • And one of my favorites, as a Ramen topper

 

Jalapeno picked egg ontop of a veggie packed ramen.

 

Understanding Egg labels

Egg labeling is complicated. There are many terms used in egg labeling that are somewhat misleading, for instance, cage-free. The term cage-free doesn’t have much meaning behind it.

Below are some meaningful labels to look out for:

  • Animal Welfare Approved
  • Certified Humane
  • Global Animal Partnership Steps 3.4.5 and Step 5+
  • SDA Organic

More Resources

Curious to dive deeper into the food label guide to choosing eggs? Check out these resources below.

 

top down of many jalapeno picked eggs in a green bowl. Some slices of jalapenos dispersed throughout.

 

Happy Cooking!

I hope this recipe post provided some valuable information about the world of pickled eggs. Pickling is a culinary adventure I hope you decide to try if you have not already.

Enjoy this article, below are a few others you may enjoy.

How to Upgrade Instant Ramen (3 Instant Ramen Hacks)

Vegan Kimchi Instant Ramen

Garlic Sweet Soy Glaze

top down of many jalapeno picked eggs in a green bowl. Some slices of jalapenos dispersed throughout.

Jalapeno Pickled Eggs

Sarah Harper MS, RD, LDN
This pickled egg recipe is super easy and has a kick! Jalapeno Picked Eggs are the perfect ramen topped, salad addition, or simple and high protein snack!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Refrigerator time 3 days
Total Time 3 days 5 minutes
Course Main Course, Salad, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 12 eggs
Calories 90 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 32oz container or mason jar with lid
  • 1 3 cup liquid measuring cup
  • 1 chefs knife and cutting board

Ingredients
  

  • 12 medium to large hard cooked eggs, peeled
  • 3 cups white distilled vinegar
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 jalapenos

Instructions
 

Brine

  • Combine water and vinegar in a 1:3 ratio (1 cup of water to 3 cups of vinegar). If adding honey or sugar, you may want to dissolve the sugar in the vinegar-water mixture either by bringing the liquid to a simmer on the stovetop or microwave. However, heating the brine is not required and I recommend bringing the brine to room temp before adding it to your cooked eggs.

Pickle the Eggs

  • In a 32oz mason sterile jar or container with a lid place 10 to 12 hard cook eggs. Then add sliced jalapenos. Lastly, pour in the brine. You will likely have some leftover liquid you can use for a small batch of something pickled (like red onion, more jalapenos, or cucumbers). Store the sealed container in the refrigerator for at least 72hrs.

Nutrition

Calories: 90kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 6gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 187mgSodium: 64mgPotassium: 70mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 285IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 30mgIron: 1mg
Keyword eggs, jalapeno, pickled
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
The Ultimate Shin Ramen Hacks

The Ultimate Shin Ramen Hacks

5 Shin Ramen Hacks!

Who doesn’t love an easy instant ramen bowl? No one. This is why I came up with these 5 Shin Ramen Hacks.

I do this to make my favorite ramen more filling and to meet my nutritional needs. In this article, I discuss 5 modifications to try if you want a bomb instant ramen meal.

  1. Veggies
  2. Protein
  3. Aromatic oils
  4. Fresh flavors
  5. Ramen broth

These modifications are simple, but the flavors are sublime. Before we dive into my 5 ultimate shin ramen hacks, a little on my favorite instant ramen, Shin Ramen (Ramyun).

My favorite Instant Ramen with an image of Shin Ramen and transparent ramen noodles in the background

Shin Ramyun

Shin Ramyun is a soft and chewy noodle combined with a spicy broth creating the perfect instant ramen. Fair warning, it is a spicy broth, be warned!

The spicy flavor has beef, mushrooms, carrots, and peppers. A Nongshim product, this ramen is increasing in popularity in the US but Korea is one of the largest consumers of Shin Ramyun.

For more about my favorite ramen noodle check out Nongshim’s page all about Shin Ramyun.

Bump Up The Veggies

My favorite shin ramen hack is simple – add vegetables!

Whether it’s a scoop of kimchi, a 1/4 cup of frozen veggies, or a handful of leafy greens, veggies bring beautiful colors and flavors.

In my Vegan Kimchi Instant Ramen recipe, I add both frozen veggies and spicy kimchi. These veggies add green, red, and golden hues to my steaming bowl of noodles and broth. I love how the kimchi adds spicy-sour flavors, while the frozen veggies (peas, corn, and edamame) add buttery and sweet pops to every bite.

vegan-kimchi-instant-ramen-ingredients including red kimchi with basil, 2 ramen noodle blocks, and frozen peas and corn.

Pack in the Protein

Adding protein to your shin ramen bowl is a scientifically proven way to increase that feeling of satiety (or fullness). Getting sufficient protein is also critical if you do 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week or are just being an active human.

Some of my favorite protein additions include:

 

Three Air Fryer Soft Boiled Eggs sliced in half and displayed on on a sage green plate

 More on Protein: Protein Noodles

Another protein option you probably didn’t think of is A protein-packed noodle!

Feeding multiple people with your instant ramen recipe? Add Shin ramen and some other protein-packed noodles all in the same pot! Who says you can’t use 2 different noodles?

Protein noodles are becoming more and more popular. From Barilla PROTEIN+™ Penne to Banza Chickpea Angel Hair Pasta to The Only Bean’s Soybean Spaghetti, we do not need to limit ourselves to wheat or rice noodles anymore!

Immi Instant Ramen has 21-22g protein and is 100% plant based.

A Protein Ramen Shout Out! 

If you are on a high-protein diet, it does not get much easier than making instant ramen that starts with 20+ of protein per package. Immi Instant Ramen is 100% plant-based and packed with protein.

They have yummy flavors such as Black Garlic “Chicken”, Tom Yum “Shrimp”, and Spicy “Beef”. My favorite flavor is the Tom Yum (Shrimp).

 

vegan-kimchi-instant-ramen-noodles

Add Aromatic Oils

Aromatic oil is the finishing oil one might drizzle over hot broth and ramen noodles. The definition of Aromatic oil is an oil that has been cooked with other ingredients and thus takes on those flavors.

Examples of aromatic oils:

  • Garlic oil
  • Chili oil
  • I also like to use toasted sesame oil. While this technically is not an “aromatic oil” it is loaded with a lovely and nutty sesame flavor and is an easy addition to any instant ramen bowl.

4 ramen bowls in each corner of the photo

 

Include Fresh Flavors

Now that you have added your aromatic oils, it is time to think about some other aromatics and flavors.

Try adding the following fresh flavors to your instant noodles:

  • Fresh herbs & scallions
  • Nori
  • Soy sauce & fish sauce
  • Rice wine vinegar
  • Peanut butter
  • Ginger
  • Citrus
  • Kimchi & pickled vegetables

Follow your taste buds and you can’t go wrong.

Bonus flavors: Add a little Kewpie mayo or cheese to your ramen bowl. This shin ramen hack makes super creamy ramen bowls.

 

Jalapeno picked egg ontop of a veggie packed ramen.

 

The Last Shin Ramen Hack – Ditch the Seasoning Packet 

I saved this upgrade for last because, in all honestly, sometimes I do opt for the seasoning packet added to the water. Hey, it’s tasty! Usually, I’ll only use a portion of it and add some other little additions of my own.

Below are some examples of broths you might make for your quick and easy at-home ramen.

  • Veggie scraps broth – boiling then straining veggie scraps from your freezer or another meal/dish
  • Homemade Chicken broth – using the carcass of a rotisserie chicken with some veggies such as onions, carrots and celery
  • And to doctor up store-bought veggie or chicken broth I might:
  • Add some miso paste to your instant ramen.
  • You can use broth from a box or bouillon, and some grocers even have ramen soup broth ready to go in a box, like this Organic Ramen Broth from Imagine.
  • Drop in some peanut and fish sauce for some Thai-inspired slurping.
  • Plop some curry paste and coconut milk for a coconut curry broth.

More on Ramen Broth

You can even make a Traditional Japanese Cuisine Ramen Broth. Note that this is a time-consuming process but also a work of art. There are different classifications of broth, Shio (salt) Shoyu (soy sauce), miso (fermented bean paste), and tonkotsu (pork).

For a basic (not traditional) yet quick broth, you can use some chicken or vegetable stock with some garlic, onion, and ginger powder, perhaps a little soy sauce, maybe some peanut butter, or even some chili peppers or hot sauce. You can get creative here.

Interested in a basic ramen broth recipe? Check out this recipe called Basic Ramen Broth by author Shohoko of the Chopstick Chronicles food blog! 

vegan-kimchi-instant-ramen

Ramen is Love

I hope you enjoyed these Instant Ramen Hacks. Create your personalized ramen masterpiece. Just remember to:

  • Bump up veggies
  • Add a bit of protein
  • Top with some aromatic oils
  • Include fresh flavors
  • Maybe even make your broth

 

5 WAYS TO UPGRADE YOUR FAVORITE INSTANT RAMEN infographic

Enjoy these 5 Shin Ramen Hacks?! Below are a few other articles and recipes you may enjoy.

 

Follow these steps and you will create a simple, quick, healthy yet satisfying meal.]

Original article from 1/28/23

Noodles with Spicy Tahini Stir Fry Sauce

Noodles with Spicy Tahini Stir Fry Sauce

Easy Rice Noodles with Spicy Sesame Sauce

Ever crave a big ole’ bowl of noodles? I sure do. Noodles are my favorite food. I don’t make such a statement lightly. There is something about the mouthfeel of noodles, so smooth and chewy, that is just so comforting.

Why I Love This Rice Noodle with Spicy Tahini Stir Fry Sauce Recipe

I love this recipe because, it’s a quick, easy, and healthy noodle recipe but also super delicious. The Tahini Sauce is a perfect complement. It creates a velvety, nutty flavor and aroma. 

Many of my noodle dishes are inspired by other marvelous dishes. This dish is inspired by Thai peanut noodles and Dan Dan noodles some of my favorite noodle slurping dishes!

 

Stir Fry Noodle pull with chopsticks on a wooden cutting board.

Ingredients

Noodles: I use rice noodles in this dish. Noodles come in many widths and sizes. Some Noodles are thin like vermicelli or round and wide like udon. I recommend using a Pad Thai style, which is known for its dried, flat, and wide noodles. Here is one noodle I like to use, from the Thai kitchen. 

Veggies: You can get creative with veggies for this recipe. I chose carrots, bell peppers, and jalapenos. I love carrots in a warm and cozy noodle dish. The jalapenos and green bell peppers also pair nicely.

Some other veggie variations to try:

  • Broccoli, napa cabbage, onion
  • Celery, carrot, snow peas
  • Edamame, red cabbage, cauliflower

Spicy: As always, spiciness is optional because it is not for everyone. But hey, this is a Spicy Tahini Noodle recipe! You could omit the spicy element and bump up the flavor with some garlic too. 

Protein: Go ahead and use your favorite protein in this noodle dish. I chose a yummy, yet spicy, homemade jalapeno-picked egg. Keep things vegan by topping this recipe with some Baked Tofu.

Tahini Sauce: I make noodles so often that I have tried hundreds of combinations and ratios of ingredients. Due to my long history of noodle adventures, I usually eyeball the sauce, give it a taste, and adjust the ingredients as needed. However, if you need a blueprint, no worries! This combination (written in the recipe at the bottom of this post) will leave you blown away.

Garnish: A garnish can transform any dish into a work of art. When considering the following elements, color, taste, texture, and nutrition garnishes are not something that is thrown aside! In this recipe, I garnish with sesame seeds, green onion, and basil. But technically the egg is a garnish too! 

Other garnish ideas include a wedge of lime or freshly squeezed lime juice, black pepper, a drizzle of maple syrup, a splash of soy sauce, or even an extra drizzle of creamy sauce. 

How To Make This Recipe

A standout feature of noodle recipes is the ease of its creation. Check out my instructions below.

To make Spicy Tahini Sauce

In a small bowl, whisk together the sauce ingredients. Adjust the spice level and sweetness according to your preference.

Cook The Noodles

Cook the rice noodles according to the package instructions, then drain and set aside.

Sauté Aromatics

Heat avocado oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic and ginger, and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.

Stir-Fry Vegetables

Add the carrot, bell peppers, jalapeno, and scallions to the pan. Stir-fry the vegetables for 3-5 minutes until they are crisp-tender.

Pour the spicy tahini stir fry sauce over the vegetables and toss until well coated.

Add Sauce and Noodles

Add the cooked rice noodles to the pan and gently toss everything together until the noodles are evenly coated with the sauce and the vegetables are distributed throughout.

Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the noodles are heated through.

Garnish and Serve

Remove the pan from the heat and add the desired garnish. Serve immediately. 

 

 

Sharper Nutrition Fix: Tahini

What is Tahini?

Tahini is a popular ingredient in Middle Eastern cooking. It is similar to peanut butter but instead of grounding peanuts to a pulp (or butter), it is made from ground sesame seeds. In tahini, the sesame seeds are toasted, ground, and finally emulsified with oil, creating a smooth and creamy consistency.

Tahini has its own wonderful flavor, much like a nutty earthy nut or seed butter. If you don’t have tahini for a recipe, you may be able to substitute a nut or seed butter along with some sesame oil.

Tahini is a major ingredient in a very popular snack food, hummus! Some other culinary uses for tahini include salad dressings, dips (such as hummus or baba ghanoush), used as a condiment, in a baked good (like cake), stirred into a soup, sauce, or smoothie, or you might also want to drizzle over some chickpeas or falafel.

If you want to learn more about how to use tahini in your kitchen check out these articles by Serious Eats, and Bon Appetit.

Stir Fry Noodle pull with chopsticks on a wooden cutting board.

 

Enjoy This Recipe? Try These!

Vegan Yakisoba-Inspired Noodles

Easy Baked Tofu

Vegan Kimchi Instant Ramen Recipe

Stir Fry Noodle pull with chopsticks on a wooden cutting board.

Rice Noodles with Spicy Tahini Stir Fry Sauce

Sarah Harper MS, RD, LDN
These Rice Noodles with Spicy Tahini Stir Fry Sauce are quick, easy, nutritious, and delicious.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course dinner, lunch, Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 571 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Pan
  • 1 Mason Jar

Ingredients
  

  • 8 oz rice noodles
  • 1 cup chopped carrots
  • 1 diced bell pepper
  • 2 minced jalapeno
  • 4 chopped scallions
  • 1 tbsp avocado oil
  • 4 hard boiled eggs or pickled eggs
  • 1 tbsp minced ginger
  • 1 tbsp minced garlic

Spicy Tahini Sauce

  • cup tahini
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil
  • 2 tbsp chili crisp
  • 2 tbsp Chinese black vinegar
  • ½ cup starchy noodle water
  • tsp cracked black pepper

Garnish

  • ¼ cup sesame seeds
  • ¼ basil jullianed
  • 5 scallions cut into long spears

Instructions
 

To make Spicy Tahini Sauce

  • In a small bowl, whisk together sauce ingredients. Adjust the spice level and sweetness according to your preference.

Cook The Noodles

  • Cook the rice noodles according to the package instructions, then drain and set aside.

Sauté Aromatics

  • Heat avocado oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic and grated ginger, sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.

Stir-Fry Vegetables

  • Add the carrot, bell peppers, jalapeno, and scallions to the pan. Stir-fry the vegetables for 3-5 minutes until they are crisp-tender.
  • Pour the spicy tahini stir fry sauce over the vegetables and toss until well coated.

Add Sauce and Noodles

  • Add the cooked rice noodles to the pan and gently toss everything together until the noodles are evenly coated with the sauce and the vegetables are distributed throughout.
  • Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the noodles are heated through.

Garnish and Serve

  • Remove the pan from the heat and add the desired garnish. Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Calories: 571kcalCarbohydrates: 65gProtein: 16gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 10gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 187mgSodium: 1124mgPotassium: 508mgFiber: 6gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 6898IUVitamin C: 55mgCalcium: 195mgIron: 4mg
Keyword Noodles
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Easy Vegan Yakisoba-Inspired Noodles

Easy Vegan Yakisoba-Inspired Noodles

Vegan Yakisoba-Inspired Noodles

Yakisoba Noodles are one of my go-to noodle dishes when dining in Japanese restaurants. One night I was craving some Yakisoba Noodles and took inspiration from a few different Yakisoba noodle recipes as well as what I had in my kitchen.

When researching new recipes, I love to find food bloggers and cookbooks from authors who grew up with those cuisines’ cultural influences. For this recipe, I was searching the internet for some Japanese chefs! So, shout out to Namiko (Nami) and Lisa, two amazing food bloggers from whom I drew inspiration for this Yakisoba Noodle recipe.

 

Other food bloggers Yakisoba Recipes infographic

 

Inspiration For This Yakisoba Recipe

Look for a more authentic Yakisoba experience (which includes ingredients like oyster sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and often meat), then check out this Yakisoba recipe by Namiko Hirasawa Chen. Nami’s food blog Just One Cookbook focuses on authentic and modern Japanese recipes.

Another fantastic food blogger is Lisa the voice behind Okonomi Kitchen. Her Yakisoba is 100% plant-based. Lisa uses her background which includes a lot of Japanese influences in her recipes and cooking. Fun fact, in Japanese Okonomi (お好み), translates to “how you like” or “what you like”. 

Like Lisa and Nami, I hope this Yakisoba Noodle recipe inspires you to get into the kitchen to cook, play, and even go on a culinary adventure in the comfort of your own home.

Barilla Protein Noodles were used in my Yakisoba inspured noodle dish

 

The Ingredients: Vegan Yakisoba-Inspired Sauce

Homemade Yakisoba Sauce is thick and sweet. It typically requires oyster and/or Worcestershire sauces however, this sauce can be vegan with some adjustments. Below are the ingredients in this vegan yakisoba noodles sauce. 

Soy Sauce and Apple Cider Vinegar: To make vegan Worcestershire sauce you include lots of apple cider vinegar and soy sauce. 

Onion, Garlic, Ginger Powder, Cinnamon: I use these spices because they add flavor. I often use them when making a plant-based Worcestershire sauce.

Mushroom Sauce: Instead of Oyster Sauce, I use mushroom sauce. It has an earthy flavor, I love to pair it with lots of mushrooms in my Yakisoba noodles. You could also use a vegan oyster sauce or vegetarian oyster sauce.  

Date Syrup: Yakisoba sauce is savory yet sweet! I use date syrup in most of my savory-sweet sauce recipes but sugar, honey, or maple syrup will work too. Adjust the amount of date syrup based on your taste preference.

Ketchup: One of the ingredients used in traditional Yakisoba sauce. I prefer no-added sugar ketchup.

 

Ingredients Vegan Yakisoba Noodles

 

The Ingredients: Vegan Yakisoba-Inspired Noodles

Noodles: You can purchase soba noodles at some grocery stores and international markets. However, to bump up the protein in this vegan stir-fried noodle dish, I use Barilla Protein+ Spaghetti.

You could also replace the soba noodles with udon noodles, which the dish would then be called yaki udon noodles.

Other noodle options are buckwheat noodles or ramen noodles. 

Veggies: Typical vegetables in a Yakisoba recipe might include cabbage, onions, bean sprouts, and carrots. In this recipe, I use what I had in my kitchen due to seasonal availability. Luckily for me, mushrooms are available year-round because I purchase from Columbia Mushroom Company, a small business growing mushrooms in the Columbia Gorge. 

Mushrooms: Yakisoba typically includes meat such as chicken, pork, or fried ham. Rather than meat, I like to use mushrooms, because the mushrooms pair oh so well with the mushroom sauce, an ingredient in the Yakisoba sauce. Some mushrooms that would work well include shiitake mushrooms, oyster mushrooms, and portabella mushrooms. 

Greens: I used “braising greens” from the farmer’s market. Choose whatever seasonal greens are available such as spinach, cabbage, or kale.

Scallions (green onions): You could use yellow onions, white onions, scallions, or even shallots in this recipe.

Optional: Garnish with some toasted sesame seeds, sliced bell pepper.

Vegan Yakisoba noodles in a bowl

 

How to Make this Vegan Yakisoba-Inspired Noodle

Sauce

Add all sauce ingredients to a bowl and mix. Set aside for later. 

Noodles

Heat your wok/skillet to medium-high heat. 

Add avocado oil and mushrooms. Sautee for about 5 minutes. 

Add spinach and scallions, and continue to stir fry for about 5 minutes or until spinach or greens are cooked down.

Add cooked noodles to the skillet. Pour sauce directly over the noodles. Continue to stir-fry for 2 to 5 minutes. Take care to not overcook the noodles.

You may add additional chopped scallion, sesame seeds, or other fresh herbs as desired.

Sautéed or baked tofu, flavored with the Vegan Yakisoba sauce, would make for an excellent addition to this quick and easy meal. 

 

Noodle pull of oyster mushroom stir-fry noodles with black chopsticks

 

Sharper Nutrition Fix: Protein Pasta

As someone who trains for endurance races and eats a mostly plant-based diet, I pay attention to protein.

One way to ensure I am consuming enough protein to support my training and recovery is to consume foods supplemented with protein, like protein pasta!

Some ways to supplement my diet with additional protein include: 

  • Supplementing smoothies, oatmeal, and baked goods with protein powder
  • Mixing half chickpea pasta and half plain pasta in pasta salads, stir-fries, and soups
  • Protein pasta like Barilla Protein+

I like to include a protein noodle like Barilla Protein+ in this recipe to help meet my daily protein needs. Barilla Protein+ noodles are high in fiber, and protein, and are 100% plant-based. These noodles also hold up during the stir-frying process. If you have ever stir-fried a rice noodle and watched it fall apart in the pan you know how exciting it is to keep a noodle intact.

*These noodles have 10g of protein and 4g of dietary fiber per 2oz of cooked noodles. 

Like This Recipe? Check Out My Other Posts!

Easy Baked Tofu

The Ultimate Shin Ramen Hacks

Healthy and Easy Vegan Kimchi Instant Ramen

Spicy Tahini Noodles

Noodle pull of oyster mushroom stir-fry noodles with black chopsticks

Vegan Yakisoba-Inspired Noodles

This Quick Vegan Yakisoba recipe is a variation of one of my go-to weeknight meals, a noodle stirfry, ready in under 30min, with a ton of veggies! I use protein noodles for extra protein and the firm noodle does not break apart during the flash fry!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course dinner, lunch, Main Course
Cuisine American, Japanese
Servings 4 servings
Calories 462 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 wok or large skillet
  • 1 noodle pot and colander
  • wooden spoon or rubber spatula
  • 1 Set measuring spoons

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lbs cooked barilla protein+ spaghetti cooked per packaging instruction. See recipe notes.
  • 1 tbsp avocado oil
  • 2 cup sliced shiitake mushrooms
  • 2 cups spinach or other greens mixed or alone like kale, collards, bok choy, cabbage
  • 1/3 cup chopped scallion greens

Yakisoba Inspired Sauce

  • 3 tbsp soy sauce
  • 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tbsp mushroom sauce
  • 2 tbsp date syrup or maple syrup
  • 1 tbsp ketchup
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

Instructions
 

Vegan Yakisoba Inspired Sauce

  • Add all sauce ingredients to a bowl and mix. Set aside for later.

Yakisoba Inspired Noodles

  • Heat your wok/skillet to medium-high heat.
  • Add avocado oil and mushrooms. Sautee for about 5 minutes.
  • Add spinach and scallions, continue to stir fry for ~5 minutes or until spinach or greens are cooked down.
  • Add cooked noodles to skillet. Pour sauce directly over noodles. Continue to stir-fry for 2 to 5 minutes. Taking care to not overcook the noodles.
  • You may add scallions tops, sesames seeds, or other fresh herbs as desired. Some sautéed or baked tofu flavored with the Vegan Yakisoba sauce would also make for an excellent addition to this quick and easy meal.

Notes

Noodles: Cook the noodles per package instructions. This step can be done a day or two in advance if making bulk noodles for the week. Option to use Yakisoba noodles, regular spaghetti, or other wheat long noodle of choice. However, I find the protein noodles work really well in a noodle stir-fry. They are hearty and do not break apart easily. 

Nutrition

Calories: 462kcalCarbohydrates: 87gProtein: 22gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 0.4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gSodium: 813mgPotassium: 1025mgFiber: 13gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 1510IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 34mgIron: 5mg
Keyword Noodles
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!