Craving a tasty meal but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen? These Peanut Butter Noodles are exactly what you need! With just a few simple ingredients from your pantry, you can whip up a satisfying lunch or dinner in no time. Creamy, savory, mildly spicy, and bursting with rich peanut flavor, this dish is ready in just 15 minutes with minimal effort. Perfect for any day of the week!
Peanut Butter Noodles (2 servings)
Ingredients:
- 15 oz (420g) junghwa myeon (중화면) or jjajangmyeon noodles (or udon, spaghetti noodles)
- 2 green onions, divided
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1/2 tsp (2g) grated ginger
- 1/2 cucumber (or cilantro), to garnish
- 2 tbsp roasted peanuts (optional)
- 1 tbsp neutral-tasting oil (such as grape seed, canola, vegetable oil, etc.)
Sauce:
- 3 tbsp creamy peanut butter
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1/2 tbsp chicken bouillon powder
- 1 tbsp white vinegar
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tbsp Korean chili pepper flakes (gochugaru)
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
Instructions:
COOK NOODLES
1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. (While waiting for the water to boil, prep the ingredients. This will help you save time and ensure everything is ready to go when the noodles are done.)
2. Add the noodles and cook according to the package instructions. Once the noodles are cooked, reserve 1 cup (240ml) of the pasta water and drain. (This starchy water will help in making the sauce creamy and coat the noodles well.)
PREP INGREDIENTS
1. Thinly slice the green onions, separating the whites and greens. Finely chop the garlic cloves. Grate a small knob of ginger, about 1/2 teaspoon. Cut half a cucumber into thin matchsticks.
2. Grind the peanuts (if using) with a mortar and pestle. (Or you can place them in a ziplock bag and crush them with a rolling pin or a saucepan.)
3. Make the sauce: Combine all the sauce ingredients in a small container and mix well. Set aside.

MAKE PEANUT BUTTER NOODLES
1. In a wok (or pan), heat 1 tablespoon of oil over medium-low heat. Once it gets nice and hot, add the white parts of the green onions, garlic, and ginger. Saute for 1 minute or until fragrant.

2. Pour the peanut butter sauce into the pan and stir for 1 minute until everything is well mixed and fragrant. Add 1/4 cup (60ml) of the reserved pasta water. Let it simmer, stirring occasionally, for 1 to 2 minutes until it thickens slightly.

3. Add the drained noodles to the pan. Stir-fry for 1 minute, coating them well with the sauce. Add another 1/4 cup (60ml) of the reserved pasta water to help thin out the sauce and toss for another 1 to 2 minutes. Add more pasta water if needed to achieve your desired consistency.

4. To serve, divide the noodles into bowls. Top with sliced green onions (the green parts), julienned cucumbers, and crushed peanuts. (This will add a nice crunch and freshness to the dish.) Enjoy!

Serving Suggestions
These creamy peanut noodles are perfect for a quick lunch, dinner, or even a satisfying snack. They’re satisfying on their own, but also pair wonderfully with simple side dishes.
Try these noodles with Oi Muchim (Korean cucumber salad), Chicory Muchim (Korean chicory salad), or some Fresh Spring Rolls. These choices will add a crisp, refreshing touch to your meal.
If you’re looking for more easy noodle recipes, you’ll also love this Soupless Tantanmen, Scallion Oil Noodles, Soy Sauce Noodles, or Spicy Garlic Shrimp Noodles.
WATCH FULL VIDEO
FAQ
1. Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
- Yes, you can make these peanut butter noodles gluten-free with a few simple swaps. First, substitute wheat-based noodles with gluten-free alternatives, such as rice noodles or other gluten-free noodle options. For the seasonings, make sure to use gluten-free versions, like gluten-free soy sauce and gluten-free oyster sauce, and make sure all other ingredients are gluten-free as well. With these easy adjustments, you can enjoy a delicious gluten-free version of peanut butter noodles!
2. Can I store leftovers in the fridge?
- These noodles are not recommended to be kept in the fridge because they will absorb the sauce over time, causing them to become mushy and clump together. This is similar to how jjajangmyeon (Korean black bean noodles) can become unappetizing if left to sit for too long. If you want to save some for later, using pasta noodles instead is a better option. They hold up better in the fridge and can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Freezing is not recommended as it can negatively affect the texture.
- To reheat, place the noodles in a shallow pan on the stovetop until warmed through. Add a splash of water if needed while reheating to help return the sauce to its original creamy consistency.
Other Easy Recipes You May Like:

Peanut Butter Noodles
Ingredients
- 15 oz junghwa myeon (중화면) (or jjajangmyeon noodles, udon, spaghetti noodles)
- 2 green onions (divided)
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1/2 tsp grated ginger
- 1/2 cucumber (or cilantro) (to garnish)
- 2 tbsp roasted peanuts (optional)
- 1 tbsp neutral-tasting oil (such as canola, vegetable oil, etc.)
Sauce:
- 3 tbsp creamy peanut butter
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1/2 tbsp chicken bouillon powder
- 1 tbsp white vinegar
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tbsp Korean chili pepper flakes (gochugaru)
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
Instructions
Cook Noodles
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. (While waiting for the water to boil, prep the ingredients. This will help you save time and ensure everything is ready to go when the noodles are done.)
- Add the noodles and cook according to the package instructions. Once the noodles are cooked, reserve 1 cup (240ml) of the pasta water and drain. (This starchy water will help in making the sauce creamy and coat the noodles well.)
Prep Ingredients
- Thinly slice the green onions, separating the whites and greens. Finely chop the garlic cloves. Grate a small knob of ginger, about 1/2 teaspoon. Cut half a cucumber into thin matchsticks.
- Grind the peanuts (if using) with a mortar and pestle. (Or you can place them in a ziplock bag and crush them with a rolling pin or a saucepan.)
- Make the sauce: Combine all the sauce ingredients in a small container and mix well. Set aside.
Make Peanut Butter Noodles
- In a wok (or pan), heat 1 tablespoon of oil over medium-low heat. Once it gets nice and hot, add the white parts of the green onions, garlic, and ginger. Saute for 1 minute or until fragrant.
- Pour the peanut butter sauce into the pan and stir for 1 minute until everything is well mixed and fragrant. Add 1/4 cup (60ml) of the reserved pasta water. Let it simmer, stirring occasionally, for 1 to 2 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Add the drained noodles to the pan. Stir-fry for 1 minute, coating them well with the sauce. Add another 1/4 cup (60ml) of the reserved pasta water to help thin out the sauce and toss for another 1 to 2 minutes. Add more pasta water if needed to achieve your desired consistency.
- To serve, divide the noodles into bowls. Top with sliced green onions (the green parts), julienned cucumbers, and crushed peanuts. (This will add a nice crunch and freshness to the dish.) Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.


6 Comments
This was delicious! Thank you Aaron and Claire!
You’re so welcome, Tracy. Thanks for the nice feedback!
You make Korean cooking so easy to follow and it’s always delicious, thank you very much
I followed this recipe as written, and these were the best peanut butter noodles I’ve made. This is going to be part of our weeknight meal rotation!
This might be one of the most genius recipes I have seen, and it is one of those recipes you wish you knew about years beforehand—for me, that would be going north of 10 years (I am such an old man). My only difference was that I used Indian chilli powder instead of Korean, plus I didn’t quite have the garnishes. Those are probably what tie a meal together, but cooking for little ones is a bit tricky in that manner.
If my nephew had not appeared so suddenly in the kitchen while I was making this recipe, I would have probably eaten it all and not be commenting right now. Nevertheless, his parents managed to try a bit of this and gave their approval. So I know, in a pinch, there is a decent back-up option. This was especially great when I was trying to go really healthy for about three months, as well as managing without a job. Lots of instant noodles are cooked with so many little ones in the house (and we aren’t even getting into when friends are over), so all those basics on back-up were a life saver.
Win one for McGuyvering in the kitchen.
I did not have the chili flakes, so I just tried adding gochujang instead. I think I added way too much though. There was only a hint of peanut butter and a lot of chili flavor. Other than my silly mistake it was very easy and good.
Thank you so much for your content.