If you’re looking for a dish that packs a punch and is easy to make, spicy shrimp noodles are the way to go. This dish brings together tender shrimp, savory noodles, and a spicy, umami-rich sauce that’s sure to become a favorite in your kitchen. It’s a favorite in mine!
The star of this dish is the sauce, made with chili crisp, oyster sauce, and soy sauce. The chili crisp adds a delightful heat and crunch, while the oyster sauce brings a rich, savory depth. The soy sauce ties everything together with its familiar, salty flavor. This combination creates a bold, flavorful sauce that perfectly coats the shrimp and noodles.
Udon Noodles
Udon noodles are thick, chewy Japanese wheat noodles known for their hearty texture and versatility. They are traditionally served in hot soups, stir-fries, or cold dishes, and come in three main forms: fresh, frozen, and dried.
Fresh udon noodles are soft, with a smooth texture, and provide the best overall experience for dishes like udon soup, where the noodles can absorb the broth–although making udon from scratch at home is quite difficult.
Frozen udon noodles are pre-cooked and then frozen, maintaining much of the fresh noodle’s texture and taste when reheated. Dried udon noodles, while convenient and shelf-stable, tend to be a bit firmer and less chewy compared to fresh or frozen noodles.
When making my Spicy Shrimp Noodles, frozen udon is often the best choice. It has a great balance of convenience and texture, and when heated, it retains its chewiness, which pairs wonderfully with the thick curry broth.
My favorite brand, Sanuki or Shirakiku, is known for producing high-quality udon with a satisfying chew, making it ideal for this dish.
Vegetable Substitutions
To complement the shrimp and noodles, julienned carrots and green onions add a fresh, crisp texture and a pop of color.
The great thing about this recipe is its versatility—you can easily swap in your favorite vegetables. This makes it a great recipe for using up what’s in your fridge while adding variety to your meals. Here are some that would also be great:
- Mushrooms
- Bell Peppers
- Napa Cabbage
- Onions
- Eggplant
- Chinese Chives
- Bok Choy
Spicy Shrimp Noodles
- Total Time: 15 minutes
Description
Spicy shrimp noodles are a quick and flavorful dish featuring tender shrimp, noodles, and fresh veggies tossed in a bold, chili crisp-infused sauce.
Ingredients
- 2 servings udon noodles
- 3/4 lb shrimp, uncooked (I used de-veined and peeled)
- 1 large carrot, julienned
- 3 green onions, cut into one-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon chili crisp
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar (optional; to balance the saltiness)
- Optional: additional vegetables (e.g., mushrooms, bell peppers, onions)
Instructions
- Cook the noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In a small bowl, mix together the chili crisp, oyster sauce, and soy sauce. Set aside.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat. Add the julienned carrots and any additional vegetables you’re using. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until they’re just tender but still crisp.
- In the same pan, add the green onions and shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, until they turn pink and opaque.
- Add the cooked noodles to the pan with the vegetables. Pour the sauce over the noodles and vegetables, tossing everything together to coat evenly.
- Divide the spicy shrimp noodles into two servings, and enjoy while hot.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
I’ve been looking for a shrimp stir fry recipe. Happy with how this turned out!
So glad to hear! This one is delish for sure!
Great flavor from the shrimp oil and chili. Everything had heat without being overpowering.
Thank you for your review, Brady! 🙂