Hot and Sour Noodles
About This Dish
This is what I crave when I want something that wakes me up. It's spicy, it's sour, it's tangy, and it's exactly what you need at midnight when you're feeling a bit sluggish. The heat comes from chili oil or hot sauce, the sour comes from vinegar, and together they create this flavor that's addictive. I make this when I'm studying late or when I just want something that feels exciting. It's the kind of thing that makes you sweat a little, but in a good way. Plus, it's quick—you can have a bowl in front of you in 15 minutes.
Flavors
Nutrition Information
Ingredients
- Wheat noodles or rice noodles
- Chili oil or hot sauce
- Black vinegar or rice vinegar
- Soy sauce
- Peanut butter or sesame paste
- Garlic
- Green onions
- Cilantro
- Peanuts
- Optional: pickled vegetables
Instructions
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1
Cook your noodles according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
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2
While the noodles cook, make your sauce. Mix together chili oil, vinegar, soy sauce, and peanut butter or sesame paste.
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3
Mince garlic and add it to the sauce. Adjust the amounts to your taste—more chili oil if you like it spicy, more vinegar if you like it sour.
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4
In a bowl, combine the cooked noodles with the sauce. Toss until everything is evenly coated.
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5
Top with chopped green onions, cilantro, and crushed peanuts.
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6
If you're using pickled vegetables, add them now.
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7
Give it a good mix before eating. You want every bite to have a bit of everything.
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8
Serve immediately. This is best eaten hot, while the noodles are still warm.
Cooking Tips
- Adjust the spice and sour levels to your taste. Start with less and add more if you need it—you can always add more, but you can't take it away.
- The peanut butter or sesame paste adds creaminess and helps balance the heat. Don't skip it—it makes a big difference.
- Use good quality vinegar. Black vinegar has a deeper, more complex flavor than white vinegar.
- If you want it extra spicy, add some Sichuan peppercorns or more chili oil. If you want it less spicy, use less chili oil and more peanut butter.
Quick Summary
Mix chili oil, vinegar, soy sauce, and sesame paste into a sauce, then toss with cooked noodles and top with peanuts and cilantro.
