Gochujang Buttered Noodles Recipe (2024)

By Eric Kim

Updated Dec. 12, 2023

Gochujang Buttered Noodles Recipe (1)

Total Time
25 minutes
Prep Time
5 minutes
Cook Time
20 minutes
Rating
5(5,814)
Notes
Read community notes

These garlicky, buttery noodles are perfect for when you need a stellar pantry meal lickety-split. A packet of fresh or even instant ramen speeds up the meal prep and is ideal when cooking for one (see Tip). Honey and sherry vinegar round out gochujang’s deep heat into a mellowness that’s at once sweet, savory and tangy. The brick-red butter sauce, emulsified with a splash of the pasta cooking water, coats spaghetti here, but you can use whatever noodles you like.

Featured in: Gochujang Is So Much More Than a Condiment

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Ingredients

Yield:4 servings

  • 1pound spaghetti or other long pasta
  • 6tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 12garlic cloves, finely chopped (about ⅓ cup)
  • Kosher salt and black pepper
  • ¼cup gochujang paste (not sauce; see Tip)
  • ¼cup honey
  • ¼cup sherry vinegar or rice vinegar
  • Finely chopped cilantro or thinly sliced scallions (optional)

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

693 calories; 20 grams fat; 11 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 5 grams monounsaturated fat; 2 grams polyunsaturated fat; 111 grams carbohydrates; 5 grams dietary fiber; 22 grams sugars; 18 grams protein; 654 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Gochujang Buttered Noodles Recipe (2)

Preparation

  1. Step

    1

    Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of the cooking water. Drain the spaghetti and return to its pot.

  2. While the pasta cooks, melt 4 tablespoons of the butter in a skillet over medium-low. Add the garlic and season generously with salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the garlic starts to soften but not brown, 1 to 3 minutes.

  3. Step

    3

    Stir in the gochujang, honey and vinegar, and bring to a simmer over medium-high. Cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture reduces significantly, 3 to 4 minutes; when you drag a spatula across the bottom of the pan, it should leave behind a trail that stays put for about 3 seconds. Remove from the heat.

  4. Step

    4

    Transfer the sauce to the pot with the spaghetti and add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Vigorously stir until the butter melts. Add splashes of the pasta cooking water, as needed, to thin out the sauce. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Top with the cilantro or scallions (if using) and serve immediately.

Tips

  • Be sure to purchase plain gochujang paste, not gochujang sauce, which often includes additives like vinegar and sugar. To easily measure out gochujang, swipe the inside of a measuring cup with a little neutral oil, which will get it to slip right out.
  • To make a single serving, follow the recipe using 4 to 5 ounces fresh or instant ramen noodles; 1½ tablespoons unsalted butter (1 tablespoon to fry the garlic and ½ tablespoon for the sauce at the end); 3 garlic cloves; 1 heaping tablespoon gochujang; 1 tablespoon honey; 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar or rice vinegar. Decrease the cook times throughout by 1 to 2 minutes.

Ratings

5

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5,814

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Private Notes

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Cooking Notes

Annie B

Many thanks for including instructions for a single serving. The onesies of the world salute you, Eric!

jacqueline

It’s midnight and I’m a couple drinks in. Because I just got home from a trip I had everything except the Gochujang paste (had to substitute Gochujang sauce, which I know, it says get the paste!). Regardless, it was delicious. I used stale limpy cilantro but I would have preferred scallions, or fresh cilantro. I used somen noodles and they were perfect. Chopped some nuts for crunch/protein and it was a hit. Smashed it.

ann

Spicy, sweet, delicious, and easy. The one (unintentional) change is we planned to make a full batch of sauce and save half; we promptly forgot and mixed in the half pound of pasta directly. We actually liked the double sauce because the sauce was so good. Added the pasta to the pan with sauce instead of the opposite. Also not sure it’s a main dish unaccompanied unless it’s midnight and you’re a couple drinks in in which case get after it.

dimmerswitch

If you want to see Eric Kim make this recipe with ramen noodles instead of spaghetti go to this youtube video and scroll to 10:35. If you want to have even more fun, watch the entire video for four other great ramen noodle inspirations. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pFTJN1tF8A

Max Alexander, Rome, MasterChef Italia

Make the sauce in a skillet. Transfer the cooked pasta directly from the water into the skillet with tongs; the clinging water will thin the sauce about right. If not, add a bit more. This is how we do it in Italy, where colanders gather dust in the back of the cupboard.

Jesse & Jen In MSP

Frankly, 1/4 c (i.e. 4 tbsp) honey was too much for us. The heat was great, and it was perfectly savory, but just had too much sweetness. We will go with 2 or even 1 tbsp next time.Green onions as a topper gave the perfect fresh / allium crunch.Ultimately it was a very tasty recipe, we would just turn down the sweet.

Marcel

Added a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds and a dash of sesame oil once the noodles were plated. Delish!

kat

I would follow Eric kim to the ends of the earth. Made this between terrifying tornado storms in the mid-south tonight. Just the right amount of concentration needed to be a welcome distraction. supremely comforting.

Cathy

This was easy and delicious. If anyone is wondering if it can be made vegan, I substituted maple syrup for honey and Earth Balance for butter and it was perfect.

Joel P

Super tasty and easy to make. It's got a good amount of heat but adjust gochujang up or down to your preference. As-is was perfect for me, a bit too spicy for my wife. We had it with sliced scallions, as suggested, and after a few bites I chopped up some roasted salted peanuts and threw those on and it really added something so I'd strongly recommend it.

Sao

I added some mukimame (shelled edamame) to the pasta water at the end of the noodles cooking to add some protein. Also, some matchstick carrots along with the scallions to add crunch. Yum.

DG

If I'm going to use some pasta water to enrich the sauce, why not cook the pasta in a smaller amount of water in a skillet, so the pasta starch is more concentrated in the water?

Frankieee

This is such a fabulous twist! I personally recommend using bucatini and leaving the sauce thicker (no pasta water). I added sesame seeds and a small drizzle of sesame oil with scallions. WOWIE! So. Good.

Kathleen

I'm amazed at the lack of notes describing modifications to this recipe. Unusual for our crowd (and I'm one that enjoys/appreciates/learns from reading all of the comments and ideas) and a true tribute to Eric Kim. Looks like this recipe just works and I can't wait to try it!

Laura G.

The pasta is more likely to be sticky/gluey if it doesn't have a lot of water to roam around in.

Jodie

A bit too hot for us, next time will cut back to 1/2 of gochujang, maybe a bit less honey. Very good though. Next time add parsley, more scallions. Served with Japanese/Korean-ish cucumber salad-perfect!

Hannah

Tastes like ketchup noodles. I reduced the honey but it was still too sweet. Not my favorite. I couldn’t even taste that quantity of butter and garlic - all I tasted was gochujang, honey and vinegar.

JM in SF

I couldn’t find paste so used sauce, and didn’t add vinegar and only about half the honey. Delicious anyway. Has a kick to it! I think the sliced scallions and cilantro are a key addition, but still good without it.

Helen

I could not find gochujang paste at all in any of my grocery stores (I'm in Montana!). I don't know if gochujang sauce is stronger or weaker, but I would just say go easy because you can always add more later. The first time I made this it was inedible (my fault), but the last two times, these noodles were positively addictive. I attribute to going a little easy on the spice until you get exactly what you want. Thank you Eric Kim for a wonderful recipe.

Elyse K

Easy and satisfying dish. Just the right balance of sweet and tangy with just enough heat but not too much. I followed some suggestions of others— I pulled the noodles out with tongs rather than draining in a colander, and added chopped peanuts and toasted sesame seeds on top. And since I had some in the frig, I added some shredded chicken breast. Will definitely make this again!

AJ

Also very delicious cold straight out of the fridge for leftovers.

Lesley

Absolutely delicious. Followed the recipe exactly EXCEPT cooked 1 pound of large shrimp with the garlic, then removed until adding back in at the end. Used both cilantro and scallions for serving. This is a keeper.

KO

I found this to be a deliciously weird flavor profile. Hard to stop eating it. For me personally too much butter. I will make it again, but lose the 2 tablespoons at the end & maybe try some shrimp.

Mary

The paste is not available where I live. Most readers live outside of metro NYC.

Kimberly

This was a huge hit across the family. Serve with some steamed veg to balance it out. The kiddo added parmesan to his but I was happy with just the green onion.

christina in fargo

I used half the amount of honey as suggested by others and felt it was just right. We added chopped peanuts and sautéed tofu cubes for protein. Yummy.

Flora

Delicious! Added a grating of cheddar to finish.

Andy I

Saw someone else cooking this on Insta and knew it HAD to be an Eric Kim recipe right away, came here for the real thing and was not disappointed. Added some garlicky chicken because I had some that needed using.

robin

appreciated the enthusaism and the onesies proportions. i was 'all-in' when i prepared this . unfortunately i was undewhelmed with the dish. i gues the sweet/salty isn't my thing (?). will not make again. but i do now have a big tub of gochujang, which i look forward to exploring--so thank you for expanding my horizons!

chitown mezzo

Delicious and easy for those nights when you’re hungry with nothing in the fridge (and/or you don’t feel like making something fussy). Added some cooked SPAM cut into matchsticks, which was delish. Might reduce the honey next time. Definitely cook your noodles in a saucepan so that the water is super starchy (and boils faster) — makes a big difference!

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Gochujang Buttered Noodles Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How much gochujang to use? ›

A little goes a long way with this umami-boosting ingredient. In the recipes below, only about a tablespoon or two of gochujang is called for, but you can always add more to suit your tastes.

How to cook with gochujang paste? ›

Try it as a baste on chicken wings or pork ribs, or added to soup broths like in my Spicy Pork Miso Noodle Soup. Gochujang can also be used in marinades for meat dishes like Korean bulgogi, stirred into dipping sauces, or used to punch up stews.

How to use gochujang paste in ramen? ›

In a small bowl, mix the gochujang and soy sauce using a fork until you get a smooth sauce. Cook the ramen or udon according to package instructions. Turn the heat off about 1-2 minutes before it's fully cooked, then drain and rinse with cold water.

How to make buttered noodles from community? ›

Start by bringing a pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add egg noodles and remove from the heat once tender. Drain the noodles and rinse with tap water before adding the noodles back to the pot. Add 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter, a pinch of kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Does gochujang paste need to be cooked? ›

Although it is rarely, if ever, used as a finishing sauce, gochujang can be used straight from the tub. In fact, many Koreans will eat it as is as an accompaniment to raw vegetables (like crudité) and dried anchovies.

Can I use gochujang paste instead of sauce? ›

Anywhere a recipe calls for chili garlic sauce, you could experiment substituting gochujang for more complex flavor. One of the most famous uses of gochujang is in the delicious Korean rice and veggie bowl known as Bibimbap.

What's the difference between Gochujang paste and Gochujang sauce? ›

Gochujang paste contains chili powder, fermented soybean powder, barley malt, glutinous rice, and salt. Gochujang sauce includes just a few other ingredients. The folks at Chili Pepper Madness recommend soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and some form of sugar, which could also include honey or maple syrup.

Is gochujang good for you? ›

Is it good for your health? Fermented foods are naturally rich in probiotics that are beneficial for digestive health and helps in boosting metabolic rate, which helps in effective weight loss. Fermented soybeans in Gochujang makes it a great source of probiotics that can boost healthy gut microbiomes.

How much gochujang to put in ramen? ›

You need: - 1 tbsp sesame oil - 2-3 cloves garlic - 1 tbsp gochujang - 250ml water (+ more if needed) - 1 nest noodles - 1 1/2 tsp soy sauce - Squeeze of honey - 70g grated mozzarella - 1 spring onion - Sesame seeds Heat a pan over a medium heat then add the sesame oil.

Can you add gochujang to a ramen broth? ›

The peanut butter gives this ramen a creamy, rich broth, and gochujang brings sweet heat and gives this vegan ramen recipe such a special flavor! You will want to make this every day!

Can I use olive oil instead of butter for buttered noodles? ›

You can easily substitute olive oil for butter in most pasta recipes, especially ones that have lots of fresh vegetables.

What is butter noodles made of? ›

Buttered noodles are simple to make with your favorite pasta, butter, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper for a quick and easy, kid-friendly dish. Fresh herbs and a little lemon juice could be added to amp up the flavor. Perfect to serve either as-is or alongside steak, chicken, or meatballs.

Can you make buttered noodles with ramen noodles? ›

Butter on ramen? Don't knock it til you try it. This is one of the easiest ramen recipes and is perfect for a late night snack or when you are craving something garlicky and buttery. We used our Mike's Mighty Good Pork Tonkotsu Ramen, but you can use any of our noodle cups for this combination.

How much gochugaru to use? ›

How To Use Gochugaru. Perhaps its most well-known application is in making seasoning paste for kimchi. However, we also add it to stews like Kimchi Jigae and Soondubu Jigae, where it adds sweet heat. You'll see in those recipes that we add chili flakes in quantities like 1-4 tablespoons.

Can you put gochujang in anything? ›

Think of gochujang as similar to miso paste — a little goes a long way, but it's also very versatile. Gochujang can be used in: Marinades for meat dishes like Korean bulgogi. Stirred into dipping sauces.

Do you refrigerate gochujang before opening? ›

Before opening, gochujang and gochujang sauce do not need to be refrigerated. Once opened, a lot of people recommend keeping the sauce and the paste in the fridge to help them retain freshness.

Can I eat gochujang alone? ›

Gochujang has a spicy and umami flavor that can be intense if consumed alone.

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