Spicy chinese noodles recipe: Easy Vegan Noodle Bowls

Spicy chinese noodles recipe: Vegan Spicy Noodle Bowls – These fork-twirling noodles with meaty mushrooms, spicy peppers, and a luscious tahini sauce are what it’s all about. A meal prep-friendly, a going-back-for-seconds satisfying bowlful of noodles. All I can say about this Chinese rice noodles recipe is “Yum”. 

Vegan Spicy Noodle Bowls with Tahini, Zucchini & Cashews

Vegan Spicy noodle bowls with tahini, zucchini, and cashews – If you like easy meal prep-friendly, luscious sauce-coated noodles then you’ve come to the right place. Because this Chinese rice noodles recipe feature a luscious silky smooth, irresistibly creamy tahini sauce, juicy meaty sautéed mushrooms, crunchy peppers, spring onions, and tender twirly zucchini. And of course this Chinese fried noodles recipe features lots of herbs. It’s a make-on-repeat super easy vegan dinner recipe that’s ready to serve in under 30-minutes. If you like Chinese cuisine and noodles you and your whole family will appreciate this delicious Chinese fried noodles recipe!

Delicious recipe: Easy plant-based cooking is what we’re working with today 

This is a simple, budget-friendly, make-in 30-minute flavor-packed bowl of Chinese rice noodles recipe deliciousness. The luscious tahini sauce is a make-in-minutes small foodie miracle. Just toss all the sauce ingredients into a jar, shake for 1-2 minutes, and presto you’ve got a creamy, luxe, and absolutely delicious nutty sauce ready to pour on top of your noodles. It doesn’t get much better or easier than that. With just a few simple steps and minimal effort you can enjoy the best Chinese fried noodles recipe! 

We’re working with easy-to-get ingredients that are budget friendly…and you probably already have several of the pantry stables just waiting in your cupboards to make this spicy chinese noodles recipe. Let’s take a closer look at what you need to make these mouthwatering bowls of vegan portobello rice noodles.

In this Easy Spicy Chinese noodles recipe we’re covering 

Can you fry rice noodles 

Yes, you can fry rice noodles, but the method depends on the type of dish you’re making and the texture you want to achieve. Here are two common approaches:

1. Stir-Frying Rice Noodles (Soft and Saucy)

   – Preparation: Soak or briefly boil the rice noodles as mentioned earlier until they are soft but not fully cooked.

   – Stir-Frying: Drain and rinse the noodles, then add them to a hot pan or wok with a bit of oil. Stir-fry them along with your other ingredients (like vegetables, meat, or tofu). Let the noodles become lightly golden brown in places to make delicious crispy fried noodles. Add sauces like soy sauce, tamari, or a prepared stir-fry sauce. The noodles will finish cooking in the pan and absorb the flavors, becoming tender and coated in sauce.

2. Frying Rice Noodles (Crispy and Crunchy)

   – Preparation: Use dry rice noodles directly without soaking. Thin rice noodles work best for this method.

   – Deep-Frying: Heat a generous amount of oil in a deep pan or wok until hot (around 350°F or 175°C). Carefully add small portions of dry noodles to the hot oil. They will quickly puff up and turn crispy, usually within a few seconds.

   – Draining: Remove the Chinese crispy noodles immediately and drain on paper towels. These can be used as a garnish, a crunchy topping for salads, or as a base for a dish like crispy noodle salad.

Tips:

– Stir-Frying: Ensure the noodles are not too wet before adding to the pan, as this can cause them to stick and become mushy. Stir-fry them over high heat for the best texture. Chinese stir fries are typically fried in a hot wok to become crunchy noodles.

– Deep-Frying: Be careful when frying dry noodles, as they can expand rapidly and may cause the oil to splatter.

Both methods create delicious results, whether you’re looking for soft and saucy noodles or a crispy, crunchy texture!

Are fried rice noodles healthy 

Fried rice noodles can be part of a healthy diet, but their healthiness depends on how they are prepared and what ingredients are used. Both flat rice noodles and rice vermicelli noodles are a Chinese food staple. Here are some factors to consider:

1. Type of Frying:

   – Stir-Fried Rice Noodles: When stir-fried with a moderate amount of oil and combined with vegetables, lean proteins (like tempeh, tofu, or edamame beans), and healthy sauces (like low-sodium soy sauce), they can be a nutritious meal. Stir-frying chewy rice noodles preserves the nutrients in vegetables and doesn’t add excessive fat if done with care.

   – Deep-Fried Rice Noodles: These noodles are typically high in calories and fat because they absorb a lot of oil during frying. They are crispy and delicious but should be consumed in moderation, as they are calorie-dense and can contribute to weight gain if eaten frequently.

2. Nutritional Content of Rice Noodles:

   – Carbohydrates: Rice noodles are primarily made from rice flour, so they are high in carbohydrates. They are a good source of energy but can spike blood sugar levels, especially for those with insulin resistance or diabetes. Both fresh rice noodles and dried noodles are a great gluten free option in stir fry noodles.

   – Low in Fat: On their own, rice noodles are low in fat and cholesterol.

   – Gluten-Free: Rice noodles are naturally gluten-free, making them suitable for people with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease.

3. Ingredients and Additions:

   – Vegetables: Adding a variety of vegetables to your stir-fried rice noodles increases the fiber, vitamins, and minerals in the dish, making it more balanced and nutritious. It’s a great way to add extra nutrients using simple ingredients. 

   – Protein: Including lean protein sources like tempeh, tofu, or eggs helps balance the meal and keeps you full longer.

   – Sauces: Be mindful of the type and amount of sauce used. Many Asian sauces can be high in sodium and sugar, so choosing low-sodium options or using them sparingly is a good practice.

Rice noodles come in many forms; flat noodles, rice stick noodles, thin noodles and thick noodles. All the different varieties are great as a main dish or side dish.

Rice noodles or Singapore noodles are typically used in stir fries, pad Thai, pad see ew, Chinese broccoli noodles, or even Chow Mein. 

Fried rice noodles can be healthy if stir-fried with minimal oil and combined with plenty of vegetables and lean proteins. However, deep-fried rice noodles should be consumed occasionally due to their higher fat and calorie content. Making mindful choices about preparation methods, portion sizes, and ingredients can make fried rice noodles a part of a balanced diet.

Rice noodles recipe easy ingredients 

You need a few different Ingredients to make vegan Spicy noodle bowls with tahini, courgette, and cashews. Most of these ingredients you may already have in your kitchen cupboards, and the rest of them should be available in a well stocked local grocery store or any Asian grocery store. 

Main ingredients to make spicy portobello and zucchini noodles

• vegetable oil, olive oil, coconut oil, peanut oil,  or avocado oil – any type of vegetable oil will work in this recipe, so just use whatever vegetable oil you already have in your home. For extra heat you can use a spicy garlic chili oil to increase the spice levels in the hot noodles.
• portobello mushrooms, sliced – you could also swap out the portobello mushrooms with any other type of mushrooms. Shiitake mushrooms, or mushrooms of your choice should all work well in creating a satisfying meal.
• red bell pepper adds a hint of spice to the Chinese fried noodles recipe. It’s a delicious peppery addition to Asian noodles.
• zucchini’s, sliced – this means courgette for my UK friends. You could also use any type of thinly sliced squash you prefer in your noodle bowl.
• spring onions or green onions, chopped 
• garlic, finely chopped 
• Rice noodles are the perfect gluten free noodle option for Chinese fried noodles recipe. Alternatively, you can use regular noodles which also work great in this spicy Chinese noodles recipe. If you like a spicy ramen, opt for ramen noodles of your choice. Udon noodles, thick egg noodles, wheat noodles, wide rice noodles, homemade rice noodles, or any type of noodles you prefer should all work well in this spicy noodle stir fry. 
• Pinch of salt, more to taste
• salted and roasted cashew nuts – if you prefer not to use nuts you can simply omit cashews, but they add a wonderful salty, crunchy texture and lots of healthy nutrients
• fresh basil or cilantro, chopped – use whichever herb you prefer here. I adore both herbs, but for all the cilantro haters out there I recommend going with basil

Ingredients to make the 2-minute Tahini sauce 

• tahini paste1/4 cup warm water. The Chinese sesame paste brings out the nutty umami flavor in the Chinese noodle recipe.
• tamari sauce or soy sauce – if you want a gluten-free sauce you should use tamari sauce. If you’re not concerned about gluten you can easily use regular soy sauce or light soy sauce in the savory sauce. Dark soy sauce will give the chili garlic sauce more depth.
• Juice from 1 lime. The lime juice enhances the great recipe flavors and brings out the spicy flavor in the noodle dishes. Alternatively, you can substitute with rice vinegar or lemon juice.
• Vegan samba Oelek, or chili paste – Sambal Oelek is a thick chili paste made by mixing several different chilis. It may sometimes contain fish sauce or shrimp sauce so check the ingredients list before buying. You can use any vegan chili sauce to replace Sambal oelek if you need it. Opt for your favorite red chili sauce, hot sauce, or even green chilies sauce. Alternatively, you can use a spicy chili sauce like a sriracha to make a very spicy noodle sauce. 

Chinese fried noodle recipe: easy noodle bowls with creamy tahini sauce

These fork-twirling noodles with meaty mushrooms, spicy peppers, and a luscious tahini sauce are what it’s all about. A meal prep-friendly, a going-back-for-seconds satisfying bowlful of noodles. Yum.

Featuring a luscious silky smooth, irresistibly creamy tahini sauce, juicy meaty sautéed mushrooms, crunchy peppers, spring onions, and tender twirly zucchini. And of course lots of herbs. It’s a make-on-repeat super easy vegan dinner recipe that’s ready to serve in under 30-minutes. 

Spicy Chinese Noodles Recipe Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp (30 ml) Vegetable Oil (olive oil, coconut oil, or avocado oil)
• 2-3 Portobello Mushrooms (about 150-200 g), sliced
• 2 Red Bell Peppers (about 240 g), sliced
• 2 small Zucchini (courgettes) (about 200 g), sliced
• 2 Spring Onions (about 30 g), chopped
• 3 cloves Garlic (about 9 g), finely chopped
• 4 oz (115 g) Rice Noodles or your preferred noodles
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt, more to taste if desired 
• 1/3 teaspoon ground black Pepper (more to taste if needed)
• ½ cup (75 g) Salted Roasted Cashew Nuts
• 1 handful Fresh Cilantro or Fresh Basil, chopped (about 15 g)

2 minutes creamy Tahini Sauce:

• ¼ cup (60 g) Sesame Paste or Tahini
• ¼ cup (60 ml) Warm Water
• 2 tbsp (30 ml) Tamari or Soy Sauce
• Juice from 1 Lime (about 2 tbsp or 30 ml)
• 2 tsp (10 g) Sambal Oelek Chili Paste or other chili paste

How to make fried rice noodles recipe 

How to make super easy tahini sauce in a jar for spicy chinese noodles recipe

Start by pouring warm water into a shaker or jar. Next, add tahini paste, tamari sauce, lime juice, and Sambal Olek or chili paste. Seal the container and shake well for 1-2 minutes or until the spicy sauce is creamy and everything is combined.

The best Fried rice noodles recipe 

How to cook rice noodles 

Cook the noodles as instructed on the packaging until they are al dente. Or if you’re using thin rice noodles you can simply:

Firstly, place the noodles in a deep pan or bowl and pour boiling water on top until the noodles are covered. Then cover with a lid and leave the noodles to rest for 2-5 minutes. Thirdly, once the noodles are ready, drain away the hot water while being careful not to burn yourself. Finally, set the cooked noodles aside.

How to make the best portobello tahini noodles in 20-minutes

Firstly, heat olive oil in a pan and add the sliced portobello mushrooms, bell peppers, and spring onions. Cook at medium-high heat for 2 minutes while stirring occasionally. Season with salt, and add the finely chopped garlic to the pan. Mix well and let everything cook for a few more minutes. 

Next, add the thinly sliced zucchini and noodles to the pan and gently mix everything together. Pour the stir fry sauce on top and add the fresh herbs and cashews. Stir the saucy stir fry to combine everything.

Finally, serve immediately and enjoy.

Do you boil noodles before frying 

Yes, rice noodles should generally be soaked or briefly boiled before frying, depending on the type and thickness of the noodles.

Here’s how you can prepare them:

    1.    Soak or Boil:

    Thin Rice Noodles (like vermicelli): Usually, they only need to be soaked in hot water for about 5-10 minutes until they soften. They don’t typically require boiling.

    Thicker Rice Noodles: For these, you may need to briefly boil them in water (usually 3-5 minutes) until they are just tender but not fully cooked. This helps to soften the noodles so they can absorb the sauce better when stir-fried. They make a delicious addition to a Chinese dish of stir fry.

    2.    Drain and Rinse: After soaking or boiling, drain the noodles well and rinse them under cold water to stop the cooking process and prevent them from sticking together.

    3.    Fry: The prepped noodles are then ready to be added to your stir-fry. They will continue to cook and absorb the flavors from the sauce and other ingredients during frying.

This method ensures the noodles are tender and ready to absorb the flavors from the stir-fry without becoming mushy. Your prepared stir-fry noodle is ready to pan fry. 

Rice noodles or regular noodles. What should you use?

I like to use rice noodles whenever I can. They are naturally gluten-free, only take minutes to make, and they absorb all the saucy deliciousness and spices making them the ideal fork-twirly sauce carriers.

You can just as easily use regular noodles for this recipe if you prefer. Any type of noodle will work to make crispy pan-fried noodles, so just grab your favorite and start cooking.

You can use either dried noodles or fresh noodles to make this simple dish. Noodles that work well in this indo chinese noodles recipe and other vegan noodle bowls:

• Vegan Soba noodles 
• Ramen noodles
• Lentil noodles
• Corn flour/starch noodles 
• Zucchini noodles or zoodles
• Other vegetable noodles 

Extra veggies to add to your vegan stir fry

Any vegetables work well in vegan recipes with noodles. Vegetable stir-fry noodles are incredibly versatile and you can add almost any veggies you prefer to your Chinese dinner. Here’s a few of my favorite crunchy veggies extras:

• Bean sprouts 
• Bok choy
• Napa cabbage or green cabbage 
• Snow peas
• Green beans 
• Green onion
• Green chillies 
• Baby corn
• Green bell peppers 
• A cup of carrots, cut into thin juliennes
• Mung bean sprouts 

Are you looking for more delicious vegan noodle recipes?

You might like the top 5 best vegan noodle recipes:

• Easy lemon noodles with artichokes and sun-dried tomatoes 
• Vegan noodles with meatless meatballs 
• Creamy vegan broccoli garlic ramen noodles recipe 
• Super easy 15-minute vegan Lo Mein
• Black pepper tofu noodle salad

How to reheat noodles?

Defrost the noodles either naturally by leaving them to defrost on the counter or by quickly defrosting them for 1-minute in a microwave.

Ways to reheat Fried rice noodles recipe 

You can reheat the noodles in the microwave on high for 2-minutes. Just place the noodles on a microwave-safe plate and reheat for 2-minutes. You may want to add a tablespoon of water or vegetable oil when reheating to bring the sauce back to life.

How to Reheat indo chinese noodles recipe in a pan:

Firstly, heat olive oil in a pan and add the noodles. Next, add a little extra liquid to bring the sauce back to life. Reheat at medium heat while stirring occasionally for 5-minutes or until the noodles are heated all the way through.

Chinese Fried noodles recipe FAQs

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Frequently asked questions 

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