Recipe Inspiration: Noodles

A bowl of noodles has always been a favorite in our house and in regular menu rotation. But after a trip to Japan, we were trying to relive our days in Tokyo and Kyoto eating them every day. It didn’t hurt that we brought home a few packs of noodles that we wanted to try either. Mixing up the veggies and changing the broth quickly creates new dishes. My go-to ingredient to make creamy, rich broth is coconut milk, and chili crisps add the perfect touch of heat.

Knife-cut Noodles w/ Crispy Onions, Green Onions, & Sesame Seeds

choose your noodle.

There are endless noodle options, so you can find something to match your preference. We often keep a few varieties on hand in our pantry and make a selection based on the veggies we have. Of course, we love ramen noodles with a bowl of broth. When I’m craving thick noodles that will hold a sauce, I reach for udon. I’ll pick soba for soup or rice noodles if I want something gluten-free. There is lots of versatility.

Creamy Spicy Mushroom & Soba Noodle Soup

Wheat Noodles w/ Sweet Thai Cauliflower

Broth: Thin, Creamy, or somewhere in between

Nine times out of ten, I’m going to make a creamy broth with a coconut milk base. I tend to pair ramen or udon noodles with a thicker broth and fill the bowl with plenty of veggies. Plus, the leftover broth is the perfect addition to rice. When it’s that one random time I choose to make it thin, I like to build a rich broth starting with fresh ingredients like onions or shallots, garlic, and ginger. After sautéing them until fragrant, I add water, soy sauce, and dried mushrooms and then allow it to simmer for an hour or more for a delicious veggie broth.

Wheat Noodles w/ Chickpea Tempeh & Veggies in Creamy Chili Broth

Udon Noodles w/ Vegetables in Veggie Broth

Toppings are key.

The simplest way to elevate your bowl is to add toppings. Mixing textures can make a world of a difference. There are far more options than what’s listed below, but I typically add a couple from each category.

• Crunchy: carrots, green onions, cabbage, broccoli, peppers, fried onions, sesame seeds, nuts, seaweed sheets, kimchi, chili crisps, Shichimi Togarashi

• Soft: mushrooms, bok choy, spinach, sweet potatoes, pea protein crumbles, garlic

• Liquid: soy sauce, sesame oil, chili oil, rice vinegar, lime, Gochujang, Sriracha

Rice Noodles w/ Oyster Mushrooms, Enoki Mushrooms, Pea Protein Crumbles, Baby Bok Choy, Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, Garlic, Green Onions, and Sesame Seeds

Wheat Noodles w/ Baby Bella Mushrooms, Baby Bok Choy, Crispy Onions, Chili Crisps, & Sesame Seeds

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