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Bowl of Easy Gochujang Butter Noodles coated in a creamy, spicy red sauce.

Gochujang Butter Noodles

A quick and comforting dish featuring spicy gochujang and buttery noodles, perfect for a weeknight meal.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Korean
Calories: 500
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 200 grams Spaghetti or noodles of choice Ramen, udon, or linguine can be used.
  • 2 tablespoons Gochujang Korean chili paste, the star ingredient.
  • 2 tablespoons Butter Salted butter is preferred; unsalted can be adjusted.
  • 2 cloves Garlic Fresh garlic or garlic paste can be used.
Optional Extras
  • 1 tablespoon Soy sauce Adds savory depth.
  • 1 teaspoon Honey or brown sugar Balances spiciness.
  • 1 teaspoon Rice vinegar or lime juice Adds acidity.
  • 1 teaspoon Sesame oil Optional, for a nutty finish.
  • 2 tablespoons Green onion For topping.
  • 1 tablespoon Sesame seeds For topping.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Boil the noodles in salted water until just done. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
  2. In a large pan over medium-low heat, melt the butter.
  3. Add the minced garlic and stir for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
Sauce and Assembly
  1. Stir in the gochujang, soy sauce, and honey or sugar, mixing until smooth. If the sauce is thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water.
  2. Add the drained noodles to the pan and toss well to coat in the sauce, using reserved pasta water as needed to achieve a glossy finish.
  3. Turn off the heat and add sesame oil if desired. Taste and adjust for more heat or richness.

Notes

Top with a fried egg for extra creaminess. Serve immediately as the sauce thickens as it sits. Leftovers can be reheated with water and butter.