Stir-fried Instant Noodles
About This Dish
I know, I know—instant noodles aren't fancy. But when you're hungry at midnight and you want something that's actually good, not just convenient, this is what you make. You cook the noodles, drain them, then stir-fry them with whatever you have—eggs, vegetables, maybe some leftover meat. It takes maybe 10 minutes, and it's way better than just eating them out of the package. I've made this so many times I could do it in my sleep, and honestly? Sometimes I do. It's the kind of thing that makes you feel like you're being resourceful, even if you're just using instant noodles.
Flavors
Nutrition Information
Ingredients
- Instant noodles
- Eggs
- Vegetable oil
- Soy sauce
- Green onions
- Garlic
- Optional: vegetables (cabbage, carrots, bean sprouts)
- Optional: meat or ham
Instructions
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1
Cook the instant noodles according to package directions, but cook them for a minute less than recommended—you want them slightly underdone.
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2
Drain the noodles and set aside. Don't use the seasoning packet yet—you'll add your own flavors.
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3
Heat oil in a wok or large pan over high heat.
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4
If you're using garlic, add it now and stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
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5
Add any vegetables you're using and stir-fry for a minute or two until they start to soften.
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6
Push everything to one side and crack eggs into the other side. Scramble them quickly.
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7
Add the cooked noodles and stir everything together.
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8
Add soy sauce and any other seasonings you want. Toss everything together until the noodles are evenly coated.
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9
Add chopped green onions at the end and give it one more toss.
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10
Serve hot. This is best eaten right away, while it's still hot and the noodles haven't gotten mushy.
Cooking Tips
- Don't overcook the noodles. They'll continue cooking when you stir-fry them, so undercook them slightly when you boil them.
- Use high heat. Stir-frying needs high heat to get that wok hei flavor—that smoky, slightly charred taste that makes stir-fried noodles so good.
- Don't use the seasoning packet. It's usually too salty and doesn't taste great when stir-fried. Use soy sauce and your own seasonings instead.
- Have everything ready before you start. Stir-frying happens fast, so you don't want to be chopping vegetables while your noodles are burning.
Quick Summary
Cook noodles slightly underdone, drain, then stir-fry with eggs, vegetables, and soy sauce over high heat for that classic wok hei flavor.
