DIY Spicy Kimchi Beef Instant Noodles
- Yield:Makes 4 pots of noodles
- Active time:5 minutes
- Total time:7 minutes
- Rated:
DIY instant noodles made with fresh ingredients. Just add boiling water and you've got lunch. [Photographs: J. Kenji Lopez-Alt]
This pot of noodles with kimchi, mushrooms, and beef can be made ahead and taken to work. Just add boiling water, seal it up for three minutes, add the contents of the fresh herb packet, and you've got a hot lunch ready.
Why this recipe works:
- All the convenience of a package of instant noodles, but with better ingredients and better flavor.
- By reserving the herbs separately form the rest of the ingredients, you can stir them into the hot soup for bright, fresh, layered flavor.
- Beef jerky reconstitutes into meaty bites in boiling water while also adding flavor to the broth.
Note: Dry Thai or Vietnamese rice noodles can be used with no prep. Alternatively, use pre-cooked and chilled ramen-style noodles or fresh Italian pasta. Cook the fresh noodles in boiling water for 1 minute, shock in cold water, drain well, toss with 2 teaspoons of oil until coated, then proceed with step 1.
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons high quality beef base such as Better Than Bouilllon
- 2 cups kimchi with juices
- 4 tablespoons chili-garlic sauce (more or less to taste)
- 1 cup thinly sliced shiitake mushroom caps
- 4 ounces beef jerky, cut into 1/2-inch squares
- 4 small nests rice noodles or pre-cooked ramen or Italian pasta (see note above)
- 1 cup thinly sliced scallions
Directions
-
1.
Divide beef base, kimchi, chili-garlic sauce, mushrooms, beef, and noodles between 4 resealable glass jars. Divide scallions between 4 small zipper-lock bags and seal bags, squeezing out all of the air. Tuck bags into jars and seal. Refrigerate for up to 4 days.
-
2.
When ready to serve, remove scallion packet and add boiling water to the top of the jar. Seal jar and let sit 2 minutes. Open jar, stir in scallions, and serve.