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Home Noodles

Quick Asian Beef Ramen Noodles

By:Nagi
Published:10 Dec '18Updated:21 Jan '21
508 Comments
Recipe v Video v Dozer v

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!

A terrific economical beef mince recipe, prepare to be amazed at how quick and easy this flavour packed ramen noodle recipe is! Are you ready??

Close up of Quick Asian Beef Ramen Noodles fresh off the stove, ready to be served

Now available: Chicken Vegetable Ramen Noodles!

ASIAN BEEF RAMEN NOODLES recipe – spin on a reader favourite!

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??🙄)

Overhead photo of Quick Asian Beef Ramen Noodles in bowls, ready to be eaten

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 POT!

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!

How to make Quick Asian Beef Ramen Noodles

WHAT CAN I ADD TO 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.

Ramen Noodles for Quick Asian Beef Ramen Noodles

Ramen Noodles 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

Got beef mince? You can do better than Spag Bol.

See all ground beef / beef mince recipes (yes, Spag Bol is there….)

Quick Quick Asian Beef Ramen Noodles (ground beef) in a skillet, fresh off the stove

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QUICK ASIAN GROUND BEEF RAMEN NOODLES
WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT

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Close up of Quick Asian Beef Ramen Noodles fresh off the stove, ready to be served

Quick Asian Beef Ramen Noodles

Author: Nagi
Prep: 7 minutes mins
Cook: 8 minutes mins
Total: 15 minutes mins
Mains
Asian
4.97 from 191 votes
Servings2
Tap or hover to scale
Print
  • 1006
Recipe video above. A great quick ramen noodle recipe that requires very little prep. The trick here is to caramelise the beef well - makes all the difference! TIP: Don't cook the ramen noodles any longer than it says to on the packet! So basically, this HAS to be a super quick recipe 🙂 Now available: Chicken and vegetable version!

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.
  • Heat oils in a medium skillet over high heat. Add onion and garlic, cook for 1 1/2 minutes until starting to go golden.
  • Add beef and cook, breaking it up as you go, until it changes from pink to light brown.
  • Add Sauce and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until well caramelised (see video).
  • Push beef to the side to make enough space for the noodles. Add water, place noodles in water.
  • 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 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:

1. Instant or Ramen Noodles - Any brand or type is fine here, though avoid the extra large ramen packets because you'll struggle to fit two in the pan (though can break them). If it comes with soup seasoning packets, toss them.
Ssub with fresh or dried noodles (rice or wheat). Prepare per packet, use ~ 2 packed cups, toss through the caramelised beef with a splash of water.
2. Sesame oil - Use toasted sesame oil if you've got it, otherwise untoasted is fine. Brown sesame oil = toasted, untoasted = yellow like normal oil.
3. Mince - Ground beef is called mince here in Australia. Can sub with any other ground meat of choice - chicken, turkey, pork, lamb, kangaroo (really!), veal.
4. Dark Soy Sauce has a darker colour and more intense flavour than all purpose and light soy sauce. If you can't find it, any soy sauce is fine here but the sauce colour will be lighter. 
5. Oyster Sauce - I've noticed vegetarian oyster sauce in the supermarkets lately!
6. Mirin - a sweet Japanese cooking sake, very common ingredient in Japanese cooking. Find it in large supermarkets, or Asian grocery stores.
Sub with Chinese cooking wine, dry sherry. Non alcoholic sub: use 1/2 cup water + 3/4 cup low sodium chicken stock/broth (instead of 1 1/4 cups water) and skip the Mirin.
7. Total cook time for noodles should be per packet. Add a touch more water if noodles need longer.
8. SCALING recipe up (click servings and slide) - use a larger skillet. Can break noodle cakes if necessary to fit.
9. Nutrition per serving. Sodium can be reduced by 175mg per serve by using low sodium soy sauce.

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 626cal (31%)Carbohydrates: 58g (19%)Protein: 20g (40%)Fat: 27g (42%)Saturated Fat: 8g (50%)Cholesterol: 71mg (24%)Sodium: 1200mg (52%)Potassium: 406mg (12%)Fiber: 1g (4%)Sugar: 6g (7%)Vitamin C: 9.8mg (12%)Calcium: 37mg (4%)Iron: 2.6mg (14%)
Keywords: Beef and Noodles, Noodles
Did you make this recipe?I love hearing how you went with my recipes! Tag me on Instagram at @recipe_tin.

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. 🙄

Dozer the golden retriever refusing to eat raw sardines

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Hi, I'm Nagi!

I believe you can make great food with everyday ingredients even if you’re short on time and cost conscious. You just need to cook clever and get creative!

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508 Comments

  1. Maria Felisa Shearouse says

    September 14, 2023 at 10:17 am

    5 stars
    I scaled up the recipe in my first attempt today and it was quick to prepare and so tasty! I had to adjust the water for the ramen as the recipe did not include a specific weight for the noodles, compared to those sold in the US. Another winner, Nagi, many thanks!

    Reply
  2. jason says

    August 19, 2023 at 3:00 pm

    how much water

    Reply
  3. Bailey Smith says

    August 11, 2023 at 8:14 am

    5 stars
    I made this for my family of 6 at the age of 11 with no help and turned out really yummy! My 2 sisters 1 picky but not as picky as my 2 sister and they both liked it! We will definitely cook it again

    Reply
  4. Kira says

    July 22, 2023 at 10:06 pm

    5 stars
    This ticks all the boxes – quick, easy, economical and delicious! I wasn’t expecting so much flavour from a
    2-minute-noodles meal but I was pleasantly surprised. I made it for lunch today and everyone loved it. Great way to use up a small amount of mince. Thanks for another great recipe Nagi.

    Reply
  5. Gwen Oelschlagel says

    June 12, 2023 at 6:45 pm

    5 stars
    Cooked this tonight..just added extra veggies…it was divine…Nagi for the win

    Reply
    • Nicole says

      October 14, 2023 at 11:31 am

      What extra veggies did you add? Last time I added some carrots but I feel like it need a few more veggies

      Reply
  6. Sara says

    June 11, 2023 at 9:50 am

    5 stars
    I’ve made this recipe several times & it always comes out delicious. Tonight I used hearts of palm ‘pasta’ instead of the ramen, & omitted the water. Turned out great! I know the sauce ingredients aren’t low carb, but if you want to just lower your intake it’s a good alternative

    Reply
  7. Aisha says

    June 6, 2023 at 3:19 am

    2 stars
    Sorry but this tasted bland to me I did everything stated had all the right sauces on hand a bit disappointed with this one . Will perhaps try again maybe I didn’t Caramalise the beef enough ?

    Reply
    • Georgia Bartley says

      June 12, 2023 at 10:41 pm

      When we make this at home we add siracha, chopped up red chilli, coriander and fried shallots. It gives it a whole new level! This recipe has a lot going for it but you can add and play with it to suit your liking.

      Reply
  8. Debra McCallum says

    May 23, 2023 at 6:25 am

    5 stars
    Cooked this last night and my husband couldn’t stop raving about it!! I loved it too – AND how blooming easy is it to achieve???!!!!!! I’m so glad I made double quantity as we’re both looking forward to having it again tonight!!! Yet another Nagi success!!!!

    Reply
  9. Cat says

    April 14, 2023 at 8:00 pm

    Absolutely delicious, quick easy Friday night dinner sorted.

    Reply
  10. Yaiza says

    April 13, 2023 at 4:06 am

    5 stars
    I wasn’t expecting to like this as much as I did! I added red and green peppers and it came out great

    Reply
  11. Kelle says

    March 13, 2023 at 12:05 pm

    5 stars
    Made this tonight for a quick dinner and my boyfriend loved it! I can’t eat beef, so I used pork, and it turned out just as good. Keeping this in rotation!

    Reply
  12. L A says

    March 1, 2023 at 10:47 am

    5 stars
    This is ideal for a quick, tasty weeknight meal. A real keeper!

    Reply
  13. Callmeafoodie says

    February 21, 2023 at 1:06 pm

    5 stars
    Callmeafoodie – this delicious !! besides the onion and garlic called for, I’ll just use a bag of coleslaw, the rest is as is and very tasty !

    Reply
  14. Gracy says

    January 7, 2023 at 6:34 pm

    5 stars
    Very tasty and easy. Next time I will add less soy sauce as my family thought it was too salty

    Reply
  15. Wendy says

    January 7, 2023 at 1:11 pm

    Hi Nagi
    I can only source OBento Mirin seasoning at my local shops. Would this be a good alternative to Hon mirin or should I use the Chinese cooking wine for the Quick Asian Beef Ramen noodles recipe please?
    Kind regards
    Wendy

    Reply
  16. Sheena says

    January 3, 2023 at 8:15 pm

    5 stars
    Just made this tonight! I scaled up to serves 4 settings and used lamb mince (it was on quick sale at Woolies). I also had to do the non-alcoholic version as my mirin was about two years out of date (somehow. I swear I only bought it last year!). My math may have been a little off as it seemed very soupy and nothing like the video. I had to cook it for longer than the recipe said to get it to boil down enough.

    Still tasted absolutely AMAZING however and will be added to my regular rotation of “too damned tired to cook fancy” meals.

    I don’t think I’ll scale up again, though 🤣.

    Reply
  17. Amanda Smith says

    December 19, 2022 at 12:06 pm

    5 stars
    I made this tonight because I’ve been CRAVING Asian noodles. I live in Texas, it’s hard to find good Asian food. This recipe was by far the best thing I’ve made in a long time. So easy! So good! I substituted pork for beef. Added Napa cabbage instead of sprouts. Chicken broth instead of water. Can’t find Mirin around these parts, rice wine vinegar did the trick! I’m in love with all the other recipes I’ve found on this site and even preordered your new cookbook! Can’t wait! XO

    Reply
  18. Miranda Packer says

    November 28, 2022 at 2:01 pm

    5 stars
    OMG. This is quite possibly my fav RTE recipe EVER. I’ve been making delicious meals from Nagi’s blog for years, but I’ve never jumped on to make a comment. Right now as I sit here eating last night’s Ramen leftovers, I’m literally ooohhing out loud at just HOW GOOD it is! It was simple and quick to make (about 25 minutes from first chop to serving), and the whole family devoured it. My 9yo declared it to be his ‘new second favourite meal’!! This is definitely making it into the regular meal rotation. Oh and I also added Chinese broccoli as I felt it could do with some greens. My husband was surprised it wasn’t part of the original recipe, and I feel it made as big difference to the overall appeal.I chopped the stalks and leaves separately, adding the stalks at the same time as the noodles, and the leaves about 2 minutes later.

    Reply
  19. Judy Dietz says

    November 16, 2022 at 1:06 pm

    5 stars
    I have made this several times and we love it as all your recipes!! I have ordered the new cookbook, 1 for me and each of my granddaughters! we love you!

    Reply
  20. Richard Williams says

    November 13, 2022 at 3:03 pm

    5 stars
    Cooked this tonight and it was Fabolous! Raman with no broth. To good to be real, I loved it! Will surly Mae it for me and friends. Five stars!

    Reply
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Hi, I'm Nagi!

I believe you can make great food with everyday ingredients even if you’re short on time and cost conscious. You just need to cook clever and get creative! Read More

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