Craving a noodle dish that dances on your tastebuds? Look no further than Spicy Korean Ramen with Grilled Beef & Creamy Sauce. This delightful, flavorful bowl exudes warmth and spice in every slurp, making it the perfect dish to warm your soul. The combination of tender grilled beef, a creamy sauce, and the unmistakable umami of Korean spices creates a complex flavor profile that will surely impress your family and friends. Plus, this dish is quick to prepare, allowing you to enjoy a restaurant-quality meal right at home!
This recipe is not just about the heat; it’s about balance. The perfectly cooked ramen noodles absorb all the delightful flavors from the broth while the grilled beef brings in a satisfying richness. With a touch of creamy sauce blanketing the top, each bite is a burst of flavor, ensuring your meal is anything but boring. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a culinary novice, this Spicy Korean Ramen recipe is simple to follow, and it encourages customization to suit your preferences. It’s time to roll up your sleeves and dive into a bowl of spicy goodness!
Why You’ll Love This Spicy Korean Ramen with Grilled Beef & Creamy Sauce
- Flavor Explosion: This dish provides an incredible spicy kick, balanced perfectly with creamy richness.
- Quick & Easy: In just 45 minutes, you can whip up a satisfying meal that impresses!
- Customizable: Easily adjust the heat level and ingredients to make it your own.
- Gluten-Free Option: Using gluten-free ramen or rice noodles makes it suitable for various dietary needs.
- Visually Appealing: The colors and textures in this dish create a beautiful presentation that’ll wow your guests.
Preparation Phase & Tools to Use
Before diving into cooking this Spicy Korean Ramen, make sure you have your kitchen well-prepared and equipped with the necessary tools. Gather your ingredients ahead of time to streamline the cooking process and ensure nothing is overlooked. You’ll need a sharp knife for slicing the beef, a grill pan or skillet for searing, and some mixing bowls to prepare the sauces. Having everything prepped will allow you to enjoy the cooking experience without any last-minute scrambles.
Before you start, marinating the beef is crucial as it infuses the meat with incredible flavors. Allow at least 30 minutes for the marinade to work, but it’s even better if you let it sit overnight. While the beef marinates, you can prepare the creamy sauce to enhance the richness of the ramen. Once you step into the cooking phase, everything comes together smoothly, ensuring a delicious bowl of ramen awaits you!
Ingredients
- 300g ribeye or sirloin steak
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp gochujang
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 2 packs instant ramen noodles (discard seasoning packet)
- 2 cups chicken or beef broth
- 1 tbsp gochugaru
- 1 tsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- Salt to taste
- 3 tbsp mayonnaise (Kewpie preferred)
- 1 tbsp sriracha or Korean chili sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Pinch of sugar (optional)
- 2 tbsp chopped green onions
- 1 tsp toasted black sesame seeds
- Optional: extra chili oil or gochugaru
Instructions
Step 1: Marinate the Beef
Begin by preparing your marinade. In a medium-sized bowl, combine soy sauce, gochujang, sesame oil, brown sugar, minced garlic, and ground black pepper. Whisk these ingredients together until well mixed. Place the ribeye or sirloin steak into the marinade, ensuring it’s fully coated. Let the beef sit for at least 30 minutes; for deeper flavor, consider refrigerating it overnight to allow the marinade to penetrate the meat.
Step 2: Prepare the Creamy Sauce
While the beef soaks up those delicious flavors, it’s time to whip up the creamy sauce that will top your ramen. In a separate small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, sriracha or Korean chili sauce, sesame oil, garlic powder, and optionally a pinch of sugar to balance the heat. Stir until you have a smooth, consistent mixture. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the sauce until it’s ready to be used—this will help it thicken a little and enhance the flavors.
Step 3: Cook the Ramen Noodles
In a large pot, pour in your chicken or beef broth and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Once the broth is simmering, add gochugaru, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and a pinch of salt. After stirring, add the instant ramen noodles directly into the pot. Cook for about 3 minutes or until the noodles are al dente, being careful not to overcook them. Once cooked, remove the pot from heat and let it sit.
Step 4: Grill the Beef
While your noodles are cooking, heat a grill pan or skillet over high heat. Once the pan is hot, add the marinated beef and sear for about 2–3 minutes on each side until it’s caramelized and cooked to your preference. Depending on the thickness of your beef cuts, adjust the cooking time accordingly. When finished, transfer the beef to a cutting board to rest for a few minutes before slicing against the grain into thin strips.
Step 5: Assemble the Dish
Now it’s time for the final assembly! Start by adding the cooked ramen noodles to a bowl and ladling the rich broth over them. Next, artistically drizzle the creamy sauce on top to enhance the flavors. Place the sliced grilled beef over the noodles, and finish by sprinkling chopped green onions and toasted black sesame seeds. For those who crave extra heat, feel free to drizzle some chili oil or another sprinkle of gochugaru on top.
Variations
- Protein: Swap grilled beef for grilled chicken or tofu for a lighter option.
- Vegetables: Add bok choy, spinach, or mushrooms for more nutrients and flavor.
- Spices: Experiment with different types of chili paste or add a dash of kimchi for an extra kick!
Cooking Notes
- For the best flavor, let the beef marinate for as long as possible. The longer, the better!
- Be careful not to overcook the noodles. They should still have a slight bite to them (al dente).
- Chilling the creamy sauce allows flavors to meld beautifully, giving a richer taste.
- Feel free to adjust the spice levels based on your taste preference.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with a side of pickled vegetables for a nice crunch.
- Pair with a light salad to balance the richness of the ramen.
Tips
- For a gluten-free version, opt for gluten-free ramen noodles.
- If you prefer more creaminess, increase the mayo in the sauce to suit your taste.
- Leftover beef can be used in sandwiches or salads—get creative!
Prep Time, Cook Time, Total Time
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
Nutritional Information
- Calories: 780 per serving
- Protein: 52g
- Sodium: 1200mg
FAQs
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Yes! Simply swap the beef with marinated tofu or tempeh for a delectable vegetarian-friendly alternative.
How spicy is this ramen?
The spice level is adjustable. By reducing the gochujang and sriracha, you can make it milder to suit your taste.
What type of ramen should I use?
Instant ramen is convenient for this recipe, but for a more authentic taste, try using fresh ramen noodles.
Can I prepare the beef ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can marinate the beef overnight for deeper flavor and grill it just before assembling the dish.
Conclusion
The Spicy Korean Ramen with Grilled Beef & Creamy Sauce is a culinary journey packed into a single bowl. Each ingredient contributes to the complex yet harmonious combinations of flavors ensuring satisfaction with every bite. Whether you’re preparing a weeknight dinner or entertaining guests, this recipe is sure to impress! Feel free to try variations that match your taste and experiment with different levels of spice. Don’t forget to leave a comment about your experience or share your creative takes on this delicious recipe with friends. Happy cooking!
Print
Spicy Korean Ramen with Grilled Beef & Creamy Sauce
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 3 servings 1x
Description
This delightful, flavorful bowl exudes warmth and spice in every slurp, making it the perfect dish to warm your soul.
Ingredients
- 300g ribeye or sirloin steak
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp gochujang
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 2 packs instant ramen noodles (discard seasoning packet)
- 2 cups chicken or beef broth
- 1 tbsp gochugaru
- 1 tsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- Salt to taste
- 3 tbsp mayonnaise (Kewpie preferred)
- 1 tbsp sriracha or Korean chili sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Pinch of sugar (optional)
- 2 tbsp chopped green onions
- 1 tsp toasted black sesame seeds
- Optional: extra chili oil or gochugaru
Instructions
- Begin by preparing your marinade. In a medium-sized bowl, combine soy sauce, gochujang, sesame oil, brown sugar, minced garlic, and ground black pepper. Whisk these ingredients together until well mixed. Place the ribeye or sirloin steak into the marinade, ensuring it’s fully coated. Let the beef sit for at least 30 minutes; for deeper flavor, consider refrigerating it overnight to allow the marinade to penetrate the meat.
- While the beef soaks up those delicious flavors, it’s time to whip up the creamy sauce that will top your ramen. In a separate small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, sriracha or Korean chili sauce, sesame oil, garlic powder, and optionally a pinch of sugar to balance the heat. Stir until you have a smooth, consistent mixture. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the sauce until it’s ready to be used—this will help it thicken a little and enhance the flavors.
- In a large pot, pour in your chicken or beef broth and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Once the broth is simmering, add gochugaru, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and a pinch of salt. After stirring, add the instant ramen noodles directly into the pot. Cook for about 3 minutes or until the noodles are al dente, being careful not to overcook them. Once cooked, remove the pot from heat and let it sit.
- While your noodles are cooking, heat a grill pan or skillet over high heat. Once the pan is hot, add the marinated beef and sear for about 2–3 minutes on each side until it’s caramelized and cooked to your preference. Depending on the thickness of your beef cuts, adjust the cooking time accordingly. When finished, transfer the beef to a cutting board to rest for a few minutes before slicing against the grain into thin strips.
- Now it’s time for the final assembly! Start by adding the cooked ramen noodles to a bowl and ladling the rich broth over them. Next, artistically drizzle the creamy sauce on top to enhance the flavors. Place the sliced grilled beef over the noodles, and finish by sprinkling chopped green onions and toasted black sesame seeds. For those who crave extra heat, feel free to drizzle some chili oil or another sprinkle of gochugaru on top.
Notes
For the best flavor, let the beef marinate for as long as possible. The longer, the better!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
Nutrition
- Calories: 780 kcal
- Sodium: 1200 mg
- Protein: 52 g