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These Garlic Noodles are an umami bomb of flavor that you can make in about 15 minutes! They’re quick, easy and SO tasty – they go perfectly as the “side” of your favorite Asian dishes or can just be enjoyed by themselves! The best part about these Garlic Noodles is that not only is it extremely delicious, but it requires a handful of inexpensive ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry!
Watch the Garlic Noodles Recipe Video Below!
Table of Contents
- Watch the Garlic Noodles Recipe Video Below!
- What Kind of Noodles Should I Use?
- Ingredients
- Cooking Garlic Noodles: Recipe Instructions
- Expert Tips for The BEST Garlic Noodles at Home!
- Storage and Reheating
- What to Serve with Garlic Noodles
- Garlic Lovers Unite!
- I Love Noodles – What Else Should I Make?
- Garlic Noodles (Video) Recipe
I LOVE garlic (there is no such thing as “too much garlic”) and I had the the best Garlic Noodles the last time I visited Maui! We went to a Hawaiian plate lunch restaurant called Da Kitchen (if you’re ever in the area be sure to check them out!), where all of the food was incredible but the Garlic Noodles were the stand-out (to me). It was so good we ended up going back multiple times during our trip!
The noodles were chewy and aromatic, perfectly coated in a flavorful garlic butter with tons of fresh garlic. Ever since I had their Garlic Noodles, I’ve wanted to recreate my version of Garlic Noodles – after a lot of development, I can confidently say this recipe is INCREDIBLE and I hope you love them as much as I do!
What Kind of Noodles Should I Use?
This is the most asked question for any noodle recipe I publish! For Garlic Noodles, I like using fresh egg noodles. In the photos and videos, I am using fresh Pancit egg noodles that I got from my local Chinese grocery (99 Ranch) – you can find them in the refrigerated section, with other fresh noodles. I like the fresh egg noodles because of the chewy bite – I think it goes perfectly coated in the umami, savory Garlic Noodles sauce!
If you can’t find fresh egg noodles, I would use another long noodle for Garlic Noodles. I’ve seen Garlic Noodles made with wheat noodles, ramen noodles, and even spaghetti! The flavors will still be so delicious, regardless of what kind of noodles you use.
Ingredients
- Egg Noodles – see note above
- Unsalted Butter – Use unsalted butter – there are other sources of salt in this Garlic Noodles recipe, so you do not need the added salt. (You can also always add more salt later!)
- Use the highest quality butter you can find – my personal favorite is Kerrygold unsalted butter. I find that Costco has the best prices for Kerrygold.
- Garlic – I used 20 cloves of garlic (yes, 20!) I found that 20 was the perfect amount to coat all of the Garlic Noodles with the garlicky flavor – but you can always reduce this if you prefer a more subtle flavor.
- Oyster Sauce – This is an ingredient used often in Asian cooking; if you’ve never had it, it’s hard to describe the flavors – it’s sweet and salty with a lot of umami, but the flavors are more developed.
- I like to use Lee Kum Kee’s oyster sauce (the bottle with the lady on the label); I usually pick it up at my local Asian grocery store (99 Ranch) but I’ve noticed it being available at more stores recently.
- If you need a vegan alternative, I’ve heard Lee Kum Kee makes a great vegan version made with mushrooms!
- Fish Sauce – This adds a depth of flavor and umami that you can’t get from soy sauce or oyster sauce – fish sauce is oftentimes the “secret weapon” to great Asian cooking!
- Light Soy Sauce – (reduced sodium): this is your “light” or “all-purpose” soy sauce. I recommend using low sodium because you’ll be using oyster sauce, as well, which is already salty.
- MSG – As you know, I like to use MSG in moderation as a flavor enhancer; this is always optional!
- Sugar
- Parmesan Cheese – THIS is the “secret ingredient” for the best Garlic Noodles – it adds savory flavor and saltiness that when combined with the Asian ingredients is OUT OF THIS WORLD good! It’s more subtle than you think but really transforms the dish.
- Use a microplane to fine shred the parmesan – this is KEY for it to melt seamlessly into the Garlic Noodle sauce.
- Don’t use pre-shredded cheese – they’re coated in additives to keep the cheese shreds from melting, which will also stop them from melting beautifully into your sauce. You’ll find that pre-shredded cheese becomes grainy when used in sauces.
- Scallions
Cooking Garlic Noodles: Recipe Instructions
1. Prep Your Ingredients
Once you’ve gathered all the ingredients for your Garlic Noodles – let’s start prepping!
Finely mince your garlic and set them aside in a small bowl.
Next, place your oyster sauce, fish sauce, light soy sauce, optional msg, and sugar in a small bowl. Whisk until combined.
Chop your scallions and set aside. Grate parmesan cheese into a separate small bowl and set aside.
This recipe will come together quickly so it’s important that you have all of your ingredients prepped and easily accessible in bowls close to your stove.
2. Melt Butter and Infuse Garlic
Once your ingredients are prepped, heat a pan or wok over medium to medium-low heat and melt butter until sizzling and you can hear it “singing”.
Into your melted butter, add your garlic. Ensure that the heat is still on medium low to prevent your garlic from burning. We want to infuse all of the garlic flavor into the butter and soften the garlic without any browning – you should not be cooking on high heat. This should take about 2 minutes.
4. Cook Your Noodles
In a medium pot, fill with water and bring to a boil. Cook your noodles until al dente or according to package directions.
TIP – Keep in mind that the Garlic Noodles will continue to cook when placed in the hot pan or wok with the garlic and butter, so I recommend undercooking them by a minute or so to account for this. By the time the noodles are done in the pan, they should be perfectly al dente to my liking! If you like your noodles on the softer side, disregard this tip.
5. Combine Noodles with Garlic, Butter, and Sauce
Once the noodles are cooked and drained well, add them directly to the hot pan with garlic and butter. Turn the heat to high, then add your premixed sauce and mix with the noodles to combine.
Once the sauce is incorporated into the noodles, top with freshly grated parmesan. Give a final mix and toss to incorporate together. Add scallions and mix again. Serve as is or alongside your protein or other main dish – enjoy your Garlic Noodles!
PRO TIPS
Expert Tips for The BEST Garlic Noodles at Home!
What Kind of Noodles Should I Use?
I used fresh egg noodles from the Chinese grocery. You can use any long noodle (fresh or dried). I’ve seen this made with egg noodles, ramen noodles, and even dried spaghetti.
Don’t Use Pre-Grated Parmesan Cheese
Parmesan cheese is the “secret ingredient” for the best Garlic Noodles – it adds savory flavor and saltiness that transforms the dish. It’s important you use high quality cheese that is NOT pre-grated. Pre-grated cheese has additives to keep the cheese from melting – this will prevent your parmesan cheese from melting into the sauce (it will taste grainy instead). Use a microplane to finely grate the Parmesan cheese for the best sauce.
Don’t Burn Your Garlic
You want to INFUSE the butter with all of the garlic flavor – do not brown or burn your garlic (otherwise your sauce will taste bitter). Cook your butter and garlic over medium low heat – do NOT use high heat for this step of the dish.
Prep All Your Ingredients and Have Them Accessible
This dish comes together very quickly and some part are more sensitive than others (i.e.: infusing the garlic and preventing it from burning) – therefore, it’s crucial you have all of your ingredients prepped and easily accessible before you begin cooking. I like to have them in individual bowls next to my stove.
Storage and Reheating
You can store leftover Garlic Noodles in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 days. I like to reheat the Garlic Noodles in a hot pan or wok with a couple tbsp of water to help loosen it up. The texture of the noodles will change as they sit in the refrigerator – but the flavors will taste even better!
What to Serve with Garlic Noodles
I had the best Garlic Noodles in Maui alongside other popular Hawaiian plate lunch items – you can’t beat noodles with crispy Chicken Katsu (make Air Fryer Chicken Katsu instead if you don’t feel like frying) with homemade Tonkatsu Sauce and a heaping scoop of Hawaiian Mac Salad! I also love it with hearty proteins like fried Mochiko Chicken, my favorite Korean Marinated Short Ribs, or a quick one-pan Chicken Teriyaki! It’s also delicious with Japanese fried Chicken Karaage (Air Fryer Chicken Karaage for those who love their air fryer)! These Garlic Noodles truly go with anything and everything, making it the best side dish!
If you want a version with seafood included in it, make Garlic Noodles with Crab instead!
Garlic Lovers Unite!
If you love garlic as much as I do, here are some other recipes where garlic is the star
- First, you have to make my Garlic Herb Compound Butter, which is SO easy and makes every meal feel like a special occasion or holiday!
- I love how garlic makes simple dishes like Garlic Bok Choy taste incredible!
- You can’t forget about my viral Din Tai Fung Garlic Green Beans – these are probably my most popular side dish recipe on my blog and for good reason!
- If you want another garlic heavy carb, you have to try my Garlic Fried Rice!
I Love Noodles – What Else Should I Make?
Do you love noodles? I do, too! If you like this recipe and want something similarly quick and easy, try my 10 Minute Sesame Peanut Noodles (or the spicier version Spicy Peanut Noodles)! Looking for another 10 minute noodle dish? Make my Spicy Garlic Ramen! My Chili Oil Noodles only takes 15 minutes! If you’re a fan of gochujang, you’ll love my Spicy Gochujang Noodles! If you are looking for a heartier dish with mouth-numbing spice, make my Dan Dan Noodles! One of my personal favorites is Beef Chow Fun!
If you tried this Garlic Noodles or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below!
Garlic Noodles (Video)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 16 oz Noodles, I used Pancit egg noodles
- 4 tbsp Unsalted Butter
- 20 cloves Garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp Oyster Sauce
- 2 tbsp Fish Sauce
- 1 tbsp Light Soy Sauce
- 1/4 tsp MSG
- 1/2 tbsp Sugar
- 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese, freshly grated
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine Oyster sauce, Fish sauce, light soy sauce, msg, and sugar. Mix to combine and sugar is dissolved and set aside.
- Cook noodles 1 minute under package directions and drain well and set aside.
- In a large pan over medium low heat, melt butter, then add minced garlic and sauté for 2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
- Turn the heat up to high, then add cooked noodles and sauce. Mix well until the noodles are combined with the butter, garlic, and sauce and continue cooking for another 1-2 minutes and the noodles are fragrant.
- Turn the heat to low, then add parmesan cheese and freshly chopped scallions. Mix well to combine and serve immediately!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I’d never think to add fish sauce to garlic noodles but it gives the noodles so much umami flavor and pairs well with the oyster sauce and garlic. Love making this with some fried shrimp. Yum!
My family love these noodles.
I had some delicata squash that I roasted in the oven with Dashi (bonito flakes) and then I used rice noodles because it was all I had. It was so delicious ~ REALLY DELICIOUS. Just insanely good and I so wish I made it sooner. WOW, would this have been an amazing dish to put in the rotation while raising my kids!!!
Thanks so much Tracey! Please consider giving the recipe 5 stars – it really helps the blog!
Yum, I made these this morning, they are yummy. Thank you for the recipes and inspiration to cook again.
Thank YOU Melissa! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
What a fabulous recipe – pure comfort food in 10 minutes. I ate mine with honey garlic chicken and am now assured I am safe from vampires for the next week!
I did make a few tweaks to the recipe, after some found it too salty. Soy sauce and fish sauce are both great for that hit of umami but with both being salty and the oyster sauce being salty, I omitted the soy altogether and just used 2 teaspoons of fish sauce, plus I added a squeeze of a quarter of a very juicy lemon with a little extra sugar to get the liquid proportion right. Tasted the sauce before adding and it was the perfect hit of salty, sweet and savoury for me.
Final hint for anyone stuck like me with no scallions available – I used the green end of a leek!
Thank you so much CJ – keep the recipes coming
Thank you so much Ruth!
I make your garlic noodles often- Delicious!!
It was a success in my household. I substituted the fish sauce with squid sauce I find it less salty and I also used low sodium soy sauce and a garlic butter I previously made instead of 20 garlic gloves.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Yoshi!
I would love for you to do vegetarian/vegan recipes too!!! Or at least give substitutions… Love your recipes and have modified some for vegetarian!
This was so good thank you CJ!! I am a grad student and sometimes need to satisfy my cravings in a fast and easy way, this hit the spot. Will be adding into rotation. I added stir fry veggies and it was a great meal
Thanks so much for the kind words, Natalie! I’m glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Delicious!!
Loved!!!! The flavor was incredible, but super salty. The butter was flavorful but oily. After making the recipe I experimented w trying a low sodium alternative. Ended up doing it again by doing a broth sauté on the garlic and adding a tablespoon of Almond butter (gives it creaminess). Still too salty. Next time will do a water sauté w the garlic. Add in the almond butter tablespoon. And will halve the fish sauce (super high in sodium!). But ultimately incredible ingredients for a great dish!!!