15-Minute Miso Noodles
These quick and easy Miso Noodles are ready in just 15 minutes for a simple but delicious meal. Feel free to customize this recipe any way you like!
What is Miso?
Miso is a Japanese fermented soybean paste made by fermenting soybeans with salt and koji (a type of mold) along with other grains like rice or barley. This fermentation process can range from a few months to several years, resulting in various shades of miso, each with its own unique flavour profile.
Miso is not only known for its rich, savoury taste but also for its numerous health benefits. It’s packed with essential nutrients like protein, vitamins, and minerals, and contains beneficial probiotics that support gut health. Additionally, miso is naturally gluten-free and low in calories, making it a versatile and nutritious addition to any dish. Miso paste is commonly used to flavour soups, marinades and dressings.
What are Miso Noodles?
Miso Noodles are a fusion of Japanese and Asian flavours, featuring rice noodles stir-fried with a savoury miso-based sauce. While miso is usually used in recipes like Miso Ramen or soup, it makes a delicious addition to stir-fried noodles in a miso-based sauce.
Why You’ll Love This Miso Noodle Stir Fry
- Quick and Easy: With a cooking time of only 15 minutes, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or whenever you crave a quick, flavourful meal.
- Umami Flavour: Miso paste adds a depth of flavour known as umami, making these noodles irresistibly savoury and satisfying.
- Customizable: Whether you’re a veggie lover or a meat enthusiast, Miso Noodles can be tailored to suit your preferences by adding your choice of protein or veggies.
- Minimal Effort, Maximum Flavour: With simple ingredients and easy steps, this recipe proves that restaurant-quality meals don’t have to be complicated.
Types of Miso Paste You Can Use
Miso paste comes in various types, each offering its own unique flavour profile. Here are some common varieties you can choose from that you’ll likely find at your local grocery store.
- White Miso: Mild and slightly sweet, perfect for beginners or those looking for a subtle miso flavour. This variety is fermented for the shortest amount of time.
- Yellow Miso: A bit stronger in flavour, with a slightly tangy taste. Ideal for adding depth to soups and stir-fries. Yellow Miso is fermented longer than white miso to build flavour.
- Red Miso: Rich and robust, with a bold umami flavour. Great for adding depth to marinades and sauces. Red Miso is fermented the longest.
You can use any type of miso you love in this recipe. But if you’re new to using miso I recommend using white miso paste.
Miso Noodles Ingredients And Substitutions
*This is just a general recipe overview. The full recipe measurements and instructions are below in the recipe card.
Rice Noodles: These delicate noodles provide a light and satisfying base, soaking up the savoury miso sauce while offering a tender texture.
Bok Choy: With its crisp stems and tender leaves, bok choy adds a refreshing crunch and subtle sweetness, balancing the dish’s richness.
Green Onion: Known for its soft flavour and vibrant colour, green onion lends a fresh, aromatic note to the dish, enhancing its overall complexity.
Garlic: A staple in many cuisines, garlic infuses the noodles with its distinct aroma and robust flavour, adding depth and character.
Ginger: Renowned for its zesty, citrusy undertones, ginger imparts a warming spice to the dish, harmonizing with the other flavours while offering a subtle kick.
Stir-fry Sauce (Miso Paste, Soy Sauce, Coconut Sugar, Sesame Oil): This flavour-packed sauce, made from a blend of miso paste, soy sauce, coconut sugar, and sesame oil, ties everything together, delivering a symphony of savoury, salty, and sweet notes that elevate the dish to new heights of deliciousness.
If you find yourself missing an ingredient, don’t fret! Here are some handy substitutions:
- Swap bok choy for spinach or kale.
- Use shallots or leeks instead of green onions.
- Substitute fresh ginger with ground ginger or ginger paste.
- If you’re out of miso paste, try using tahini or soybean paste for a similar depth of flavour.
How To Make Noodles With Miso
Step 1
Heat the avocado oil in a large pan or wok on medium-high heat then add the scallions, ginger and garlic and cook for 2 minutes. Then add the bok choy and cook another 2-3 minutes.
Step 2
Once the bok choy is cooked, add the rice noodles and miso stir-fry sauce.
Step 3
Mix until combined and the noodles are warmed through. Serve as is or top it off with some scallions and sesame seeds.
Recipe Variations
Customize your Miso Noodles with these variation ideas:
- Protein Power: Add tofu, shrimp, chicken, or beef for a protein-packed meal.
- Veggie Packed: Enhance the veggie goodness by tossing in bell peppers, mushrooms, carrots, or snap peas.
- Heat it Up: Love spice? Kick up the heat with a sprinkle of extra chili flakes or a drizzle of sriracha sauce.
Feel free to get creative and make this recipe your own!
How To Store and Reheat
To store Miso Noodles, cool them to room temperature, transfer them to an airtight container, and refrigerate for up to 2-3 days. When reheating, use a skillet or microwave, adding a splash of water or broth to prevent sticking. Garnish with fresh herbs or lime for a flavorful finish.
Expert Tips For Making Miso Noodles
- Prep Ahead: Have all your ingredients chopped and ready before you start cooking to streamline the process.
- Cook Noodles Al Dente: To prevent mushy noodles, cook them until they’re just tender (they should have a slight bite to them), then immediately rinse them under cold water to stop the cooking process.
- Heat The Pan: Ensure your wok or skillet is hot before adding the ingredients to achieve that perfect stir-fry texture.
- Taste as You Go: Adjust the seasoning to your preference by tasting the sauce before adding it to the noodles.
- Garnish: Elevate the presentation and flavour of your dish by topping it with fresh scallions, cilantro, sesame seeds, sliced chili, or a squeeze of lime before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Just use gluten-free soy sauce and gluten-free miso paste.
You can use any variety of miso paste, but I recommend white miso for this dish.
15-Minute Miso Noodles
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Main
- Method: Stir-fry
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
All it takes is 15 minutes to whip up a batch of these stir-fried Miso Noodles!
Ingredients
Miso Stir-Fry Sauce
- 2 tbsp miso paste
- 2 tbsp water
- 1 tbsp dark soy sauce (can sub regular soy sauce)
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp coconut sugar (can sub honey or maple syrup)
- 1 tsp red chilli flakes
Noodles
- 8oz rice noodles
- 1 tbsp avocado oil
- 2 scallions, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp minced ginger
- 2 cups baby bok choy, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the sesame sauce by mixing the sauce ingredients together in a bowl. Set aside.
- Cook the rice noodles according to package directions, but leave them slightly undercooked. (They’ll cook more in the pan with the sauce.)
- Heat the avocado oil in a large non-stick skillet on medium-high heat add the scallions, ginger and garlic and let cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Add the baby bok choy and cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Reduce the heat to medium, then add the rice noodles and miso stir-fry sauce to the pan and mix everything together.
- Serve as is or topped with more scallions and sesame seeds.
Notes
- I recommend using reduced-sodium miso if you want to control your sodium intake.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 of the recipe
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 7g
- Fat: 14g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 4.5g
- Protein: 8.5g
This was so yummy. I subbed black bean noodles and added shitake mushrooms and it was delicious!
Thank you for the great recipe, Jess!
So happy you enjoyed it Stacey 🙂