Garlic Noodles with Crab (Video)

5 from 1 vote
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These simple but delicious Garlic Noodles with Crab are so easy to make at home! This Asian fusion dish is everything you want in a garlicky noodle dish that’s loaded with umami and a great dish on its own or as a side dish! This version has crab but you could easily omit it for a traditional Garlic Noodle dish!

Garlic noodles with crab plated on an oval plate.

Watch the Garlic Noodles with Crab recipe video below!

Garlic noodles with crab in a wok.

Ingredients for Garlic Noodles with Crab

These Garlic Noodles with Crab is one pan dinner that’s so easy to make! Here are all the ingredients you’ll need:

  • 16 oz Noodles I recommend fresh Pancit egg noodles
  • 6 tablespoons Unsalted Butter
  • 20 cloves Garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoons Oyster Sauce 30ml
  • 2 tablespoons Fish Sauce 30ml
  • 1 tablespoon Light Soy Sauce 15ml
  • 1/4 teaspoon MSG optional 1g
  • 1/2 tablespoon sugar 6g
  • ¼ cup hot water
  • 8 oz fresh or canned crab meat

Should I use fresh or canned crab for this recipe?

I like using fresh lump crab meat for Garlic Noodles with Crab, but it would turn out just as delicious if you use canned crab meat. My key tip is to make sure that the crab is heated all the way through once added to the sauce. The fresh sweetness of the crab meat pairs so well with the salty and savory notes from that umami packed garlic sauce!

Pro Tips for Garlic Noodles with Crab!

  • Crab Meat: I prefer using fresh, lump crab meat for this recipe, but you could certainly use canned crab or swap out the protein entirely for one like chicken, shrimp, or steak!
  • Adjusting the sauce: Depending on the type of noodles you are using, the sauce may be too wet or too dry. If too wet, continue cooking over high heat until the sauce thickens up and evenly coats the noodles. If the sauce is too dry, add 1/4 cup of the noodle cooking water to the dish to add a creamier consistency.
  • Storage: These noodles can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simple add them to a pan with about a 1/4 cup of hot water to help loosen up the noodles and reheat the sauce. Cook over medium high heat until warmed throughout!

Garlic Noodles with Crab: Recipe Instructions

1. Mix the Sauce

In a small bowl, combine oyster sauce, fish sauce, light soy sauce, MSG optional, and sugar, and hot water. Mix to combine and sugar is dissolved and set aside.

2. Cook the Noodles

Cook noodles to package directions and drain well and set aside, reserving a cup of the noodle cooking water for the sauce to use as needed.

3. Sauté the Garlic and Cook the sauce

In a large pan over medium low heat, melt butter, then add minced garlic and sauté for 2 minutes until fragrant but not browned. Add the sauce and bring to a low simmer and cook for 2 minutes to reduce slightly, then add the crab and mix in to warm through. Add 1/4 cup of noodle cooking water to the sauce to help it emulsify together.

4. Add the Cooked Noodles

Turn the heat up to high, then add cooked noodles. Mix well until the noodles are combined with the butter, garlic, sauce, and crab and continue cooking for another 1-2 minutes and the noodles are fragrant.

Garlic noodles with crab topped with green onions in a wok.

5. Finish the Noodles

Garnish with scallions and enjoy! I love topping it with thinly sliced green onion for freshness and color.

Garlic Noodles being pulled up by chopsticks.

If you liked Garlic Noodles with Crab, be sure to find some of my other popular pasta recipes on the blog:

If you tried this Garlic Noodles with Crab or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below!

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5 from 1 vote

Garlic Noodles with Crab (20 Minutes!)

Servings: 4
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Garlic noodles with crab in a wok.
These simple but delicious Garlic Noodles with Crab are so easy to make at home! This Asian fusion dish is everything you want in a garlicky noodle dish that's loaded with umami and a great dish on its own or as a side dish! This version has crab but you could easily omit it for a traditional Garlic Noodle dish!

Ingredients 

  • 16 oz Noodles, I recommend fresh Pancit egg noodles
  • 6 tablespoons Unsalted Butter
  • 20 cloves Garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoons Oyster Sauce, 30ml
  • 2 tablespoons Fish Sauce, 30ml
  • 1 tablespoon Light Soy Sauce, 15ml
  • 1/4 teaspoon MSG optional, 1g
  • 1/2 tablespoon sugar, 6g
  • ¼ cup hot water
  • 8 oz fresh or canned crab meat

Instructions 

  • In a small bowl, combine oyster sauce, fish sauce, light soy sauce, MSG optional, and sugar, and hot water. Mix to combine and sugar is dissolved and set aside.
  • Cook noodles to package directions and drain well and set aside, reserving a cup of the noodle cooking water for the sauce to use as needed.
  • In a large pan over medium low heat, melt butter, then add minced garlic and sauté for 2 minutes until fragrant but not browned. Add the sauce and bring to a low simmer and cook for 2 minutes to reduce slightly, then add the crab and mix in to warm through.
  • Turn the heat up to high, then add cooked noodles. Mix well until the noodles are combined with the butter, garlic, sauce, and crab and continue cooking for another 1-2 minutes and the noodles are fragrant.
  • Garnish with scallions and enjoy!

Notes

  • Crab Meat: I prefer using fresh, lump crab meat for this recipe, but you could certainly use canned crab or swap out the protein entirely for one like chicken, shrimp, or steak!
  • Adjusting the sauce: Depending on the type of noodles you are using, the sauce may be too wet or too dry. If too wet, continue cooking over high heat until the sauce thickens up and evenly coats the noodles. If the sauce is too dry, add 1/4 cup of the noodle cooking water to the dish to add a creamier consistency.
  • Storage: These noodles can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simple add them to a pan with about a 1/4 cup of hot water to help loosen up the noodles and reheat the sauce. Cook over medium high heat until warmed throughout!

Nutrition

Calories: 587kcalCarbohydrates: 88gProtein: 16gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 45mgSodium: 1213mgPotassium: 298mgFiber: 4gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 526IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 37mgIron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Asian, Hawaiian, vietnamese
Tried this recipe?Mention @cj.eats_ or tag #cjeatsrecipes!

About CJ

I’m a third generation Chinese-American home cook who has always loved cooking & eating! Welcome to my food blog, where you can find trusted, tested, easy & approachable recipes for the everyday home cook that taste delicious! I am so glad you're here!

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