Stir-Fried Popular Noodles with Garlic and Chili

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A quick and flavorful stir-fry featuring wide rice noodles tossed with garlic, fresh chili, and a savory soy-based sauce, perfect for a popular street food-inspired meal. This asian-inspired pasta (vegetarian) ready in about 30 minutes pairs wide rice noodles, garlic cloves, medium fresh red chili for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 10 min Serves 2 Asian cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Soak 8 oz wide rice noodles in warm water for 15 minutes until pliable, then drain well.
  2. Step 2: Peel and finely mince 4 garlic cloves and thinly slice 1 medium fresh red chili, removing seeds for less heat.
  3. Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok over medium-high heat until shimmering, then add minced garlic and sliced chili, stir-frying for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
  4. Step 4: Add the drained noodles to the wok along with 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp sugar, and 2 tbsp water, tossing continuously for 3-4 minutes until noodles are heated through and sauce thickens slightly.
  5. Step 5: Chop 2 stalks green onions and add to the noodles along with 1 tsp sesame oil, stir well for 1 more minute, then remove from heat and serve immediately.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Stir-Fried Popular Noodles with Garlic and Chili take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (20 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Stir-Fried Popular Noodles with Garlic and Chili?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep wide rice noodles from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-Fried Popular Noodles with Garlic and Chili?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Stir-Fried Popular Noodles with Garlic and Chili for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Stir-Fried Popular Noodles with Garlic and Chili vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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