Spicy Gochujang Buttered Noodles Recipe
A flavorful and spicy Korean-inspired noodle dish featuring tender spaghetti coated in a rich gochujang butter sauce, enhanced with garlic, rice vinegar, and a touch of sweetness from agave syrup. This quick and easy recipe brings a perfect balance of heat and umami, garnished with fresh scallions and cilantro for a refreshing finish.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Korean Fusion
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
Pasta
- 3 tbsp kosher salt (for salting water)
- ½ lb spaghetti (or other long pasta like udon or ramen)
Sauce
- 3 tbsp vegan butter (divided, or dairy butter if not vegan)
- 6 minced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp gochujang paste (not sauce)
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar (or sherry vinegar)
- 1 ½ tbsp agave syrup
- Kosher salt and black pepper (to taste)
Garnish
- Finely chopped scallions
- Finely chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Boil the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil over high heat. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente, typically around 9 to 11 minutes.
- Reserve Pasta Water and Drain: Before draining, carefully reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water. Then drain the spaghetti in a colander and return it to the pot, setting it aside for coating.
- Prepare the Sauce: While the pasta cooks, heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, stirring frequently until the garlic is golden and fragrant but not browned.
- Add Flavorings: Stir in the gochujang paste, rice vinegar, and agave syrup. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat, cooking for 1 minute while stirring constantly to meld the flavors. Remove the skillet from heat once done.
- Toss the Noodles: Pour the prepared sauce along with the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter into the pot with the cooked spaghetti. Stir thoroughly until the butter melts and the noodles are evenly coated. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time as needed to loosen the sauce and help it cling smoothly to the noodles.
- Season and Garnish: Adjust seasoning with kosher salt and black pepper to taste. Garnish generously with finely chopped cilantro and scallions, then serve hot for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use vegan butter to keep this dish plant-based, or regular butter if preferred.
- Gochujang paste provides more depth than sauce; avoid substituting with regular gochujang sauce.
- Reserve pasta water is key for achieving the perfect sauce consistency.
- Adjust spice level by varying the amount of gochujang paste.
- Can substitute spaghetti with udon or ramen noodles for different textures.
