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. 🙄
What is dark soy sauce>?
Hi Cindy – Note 4 ☺️
could you add veggies to this without increasing the sauce amount? thanks!
Hi Ali, yes I have added a few veggies to this before to bulk it out ☺️
This was scrumptious! I doubled it and used yakisoba noodles. Thanks very much.
Awesome Jocelyn!! I’m so glad you loved it!
Hi Nagi! I am an Aussie living in the US and recently discovered your website. Every recipe of yours I’ve tried has been such a success!! I have three horribly picky eaters for children. Tonight I made your Asian Beef Ramen Noodles and every one of my kids wolfed it down and had seconds!! That has NEVER happened before. Thank you so much! I think I’ll be able to use “Nagi Recipes” as collateral in the future.
That’s the BEST compliment ever!!! I’m so glad it was a hit with your family!
Laughing at your picture of your dog with the sardine! my wife tried to put our dogs on a raw bone diet with turkey necks (a neighbor was doing it and liked it) and our tiny chihuahua went nuts for it, like the bugs bunny tasmanian devil nuts. The pittie mix was horrified. wouldn’t eat it and stared at us with this look of betrayal. Was so happy when kibble returned!
😂 fussy little things aren’t they!!!
We loved this ramen! It was quick but full of flavor! Thank you so much for all of your recipes! I am trying your shepherd’s pie tomorrow!
Woot! I hope you love the Shepherds Pie!
OMG this was SO good! quick, easy and so tasty. We’re looking for recipes to take with us when we travel around Australia in our van, and this fits the bill. Well done again Nagi 🙂
Perfect!
Such a great recipe. My parents, my husband, my fussy 3 year old and I loved it! I added fresh egg noodles and snow peas.
I’m repeatingmyself: this recipe was super-fast and beyond satisfying! I will make it again and again and again ….
Nagi! This recipe is the BOMB! I’m making myself wait 10 minutes while it sits in the pan but — based on my QC checks — this is going to be one of my fava-faves, 🙂
BTW, I had spinach that was on it’s way to the rabbit patch so I added it. D E V I N E !!!
Yes! I agree, Nagi. This noodle recipe is “da bomb”!!! I chopped up leftover cabbage and broccoli because that was all I had in the fridge… So tasty and satisfying! Adding this to our meal rotation!
Greetings Nagi, we love your recipes and thank you for sharing your delicious food delights with us. I couldn’t believe how easy your recipes are to follow and the attached videos are great. I’ve recommended your website and recipes to family and friends. You’ve opened up a new world of cooking for us all, especially in this day and age where money is tight but you have more than proved we can eat delicious food on a tighter budget. Also thank you for the subs /alternative ingredients.
Hi Nagi. I love your recipes. They are so tasty, budget friendly and easy to follow. The new website is also easy to follow. Thanks!
LOVE the new website! I am so in love with Dozer that I have been flipping through all the recipes…scrolling to the bottom…just to see Dozers pics/your comments 😂🤣😂
I do that too!
Love the new website but just an fyi – keystrokes lag (I thought it was me but it’s only happening on your site). I’ve been meaning to tell you how much I appreciate all your recipes – your slow cooker potato soup is inheavy rotation!
Love the new website and since I have been using your recipes the family has been loving it.
Keep it up but also if there is a no meat alternative, please put that in as I do not eat meat but do eat seafood.
Another great recipe Nagi. I purchased the packets of instant noodles the other day in order to try this recipe when I was time poor, & yesterday was the day. I didn’t have enough beef on hand, so used a combo of beef & pork & it was absolutely fantastic & ridiculously quick to make.
One question Nagi. I love bean sprouts, but I do often have to throw them away as they don’t last long. Have you ever frozen them, & if so, do you blanch them first or are there any secrets to keeping them fresh & crisp?
Thanks heaps. I adore your site. The only one I have ever joined up with & left comments. I look forward every day to see what else you have added.
Hi Nagi, unfortunately I can’t make this recipe with the noodles you suggested because a member of my family is gluten intolerant and those noodles are made from wheat. I would appreciate in the future if you could suggest a gluten free alternative as I find your recipes amazing and (do you know what?)….they turn out exactly like what your photos look like…….many thanks. and keep up the great recipes..Di
You can buy rice noodles though you may need to search for them. I have some – they’re Thai Rice noodles for using in Pad Thai but the preparation is similar. I’ve seen other ones too named ‘glass noodles’. If you are in Australia check out the Pandaroo range
tried the Asian noodles,so easy and simply delicious
Love the new website. I’m going to make the Quick Asian beef and noodles tonight. I love your recipes so quick and easy. I love the Cow Mein one. It’s a favourite.