Spicy dragon noodles are an inexpensive way to make a fast meal with a kick. Effortlessly made with simple ingredients packing big flavors!
If you are looking for an effortless weeknight meal, and love a little heat, these spicy noodles are it! It is quickly prepared, uses ingredients that are familiar to most Americans, yet still satisfies that spicy food craving for Asian cuisine when it hits. This has become an easy Sunday lunch in my house when we are short on groceries since the needed ingredients are staples I always have on hand.
What are Dragon Noodles?
As the name implies, this dragon noodle recipe packs a punch. This Asian-inspired dish is spiced up with a pinch of red pepper flakes and Asian hot sauce. You can use Sriracha or Garlic Chili Sauce, but I prefer to use my Homemade Asian Sauce.
The recipe utilizes simple ingredients, such as noodles, eggs, brown sugar, and soy sauce. Plus you have a lot of flexibility over what vegetables are added, so it is easy to customize this dish to fit what you have on hand in your kitchen.
What noodles can I use?
Lo mein noodles are recommended for this recipe, in particular I really like these wide lo mein noodles for many dishes. You can find lo mein in the Asian aisle of your grocery store, or at specialty Asian markets.
If you don't have, or can't find lo mein, you can substitute another type of noodles like rice noodles or ramen noodles. Heck, Asian noodles are obviously best, but even if you chose to grab linguine or fettuccini noodles, that would be just fine.
Best protein for dragon noodles
I really like scrambled eggs in this dish. They are quick and easy to prepare and they soak up the extra heat from crushed red peppers nicely. However, if you are craving a meaty alternative, feel free to use your favorite protein. Thinly sliced chicken breasts or pork loin would be great as well. Slice it ¼" thick and then sear it off on a skillet until cooked through.
What vegetables should I add?
You have a lot of flexibility over which vegetables you add to your dragon noodles. Personally, my primary recommendations are sliced onion, shredded carrots, green onion, shredded cabbage, and cilantro. Cilantro, in particular, adds a fresh finishing touch regardless of which vegetables you choose to pair it with.
The green onion and cilantro both can be added to the final dish in their raw form. However, the onion, carrots, and cabbage would each benefit from a light saute. You don't want to cook them through, just soften them up a bit, but let them retain some crunch. Other vegetables you can add to this recipe include bok choy, fresh ginger, snow peas, and baby corn.
More Asian-Inspired Meals
- Beef Lo Mein - A classic Asain stir fry!
- Pad kee mao - It features big Asian flavors with minimal heat! You will quickly see why this is probably my favorite Asian recipe.
- Honey Hoisin Asian Wings - Chicken wings with an Asian twist.
- Mongolian Beef - Another one of my all-time favorites!
- Koren BBQ Beef Stir Fry - A flavorful stir fry swimming in a richly flavored Koren barbeque sauce.
Spicy Dragon Noodles
Ingredients
- 8 ounces lo mein noodles
- ¼ cup butter (plus more for vegetables)
- 4 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons Brown Sugar
- 2 tablespoons Asian Hot Sauce (can use Sriracha sauce or chili garlic sauce)
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Vegetables - Any combination of the following
- ½ medium onion (sliced)
- ¼ cup shredded carrot
- ½ cup shredded cabbage
- 1 green onion (chopped)
- 1 handful fresh cilantro (chopped)
Instructions
- Prepare a pot of boiling water.
- Once boiling, add the noodles and cook according to the package instructions.
- While the noodles are boiling mix together the simple sauce ingredients in a medium bowl, which includes the soy sauce, brown sugar, and hot sauce.
- In a large skillet melt the butter and add red pepper flakes.
- Once the butter is melted add the eggs and proceed to scramble.
- Remove from heat once egg is scrambled.
- Remove noodles from the water, once they have finished cooking, and place in the skillet with the cooked eggs. Add sauce and combine until noodles are well coated.
Vegetables
- Choose at least one of the vegetables in the list, or all of them if desired.
- Sliced onion, carrots, and cabbage should be briefly sauteed in 1-2 tablespoons of butter until crisp-tender.
- Toss finished vegetables with noodles and sauce. Green onions and cilantro can be sprinkled on top of the dish prior to serving.
Notes
Nutritional Information
This recipe was originally published on FoxValleyFoodie.com on July 8, 2015.
Jen
I love the sauce in this recipe. I made it with sautéed chicken thighs instead of eggs. It really satisfies that sweet heat craving. Another great recipe Ben! Keep ‘me coming!
Jen
Good grief, I meant keep ‘em coming! 🤭