Garlic Noodles

Name: Garlic Noodles with Butter and Parmesan
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Asian Fusion
Ingredients: 3 stalks green onions, sliced; 15 cloves garlic, minced; 5 tbsp butter; 1 tbsp soy sauce; 1 tbsp fish sauce; 1 tbsp oyster sauce; 1 tsp sugar; 1 pinch MSG; 1 lb lo mein style noodles; 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for garnish; freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

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Garlic noodles are a quick Asian fusion dish combining buttery lo mein with a savory sauce of minced garlic, soy sauce, fish sauce, and oyster sauce, finished with grated Parmesan for umami depth.

🌍Asian Fusion 🏷️Garlic noodles 🏷️Noodles 🏷️Pasta 🏷️30-minute

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Total

25 min

Servings

Recipe Source

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Ingredients

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3 stalks green onions, sliced
15 cloves garlic, minced
5 tbsp butter
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp fish sauce
1 tbsp oyster sauce
1 tsp sugar
1 pinch MSGoptional
1 lb lo mein style noodles
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for garnish
freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

11 Ingredients

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Instructions

1
Slice the green onions and mince the garlic.
2
In a wok or large pan over medium heat, melt the butter.
3
Add the minced garlic and sliced green onions. Sauté for a couple of minutes until fragrant and lightly browned.
4
Add the soy sauce, fish sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, and MSG. Stir to combine and let the sauce simmer on low heat.
5
While the sauce simmers, boil the lo mein noodles according to package directions. Before draining, reserve about 1/2 cup of the starchy noodle water.
6
Add the cooked noodles and the reserved noodle water to the wok with the sauce. Toss to combine.
7
Add the grated Parmesan cheese and freshly cracked black pepper. Toss everything together until the noodles are fully coated in the sauce.
8
Plate the noodles and garnish with more Parmesan cheese and green onions.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Mince the garlic finely and cook it in butter over medium heat for just 1-2 minutes until fragrant—high heat or longer cooking will scorch it and turn it bitter.
Toss the hot cooked noodles immediately with the warm garlic butter sauce so the noodles absorb the flavors evenly.
Reserve some pasta water and add a splash to the sauce if it seems too thick; the starch helps the sauce cling to the noodles.
Garnish with extra Parmesan and green onions just before serving for brightness and texture contrast.

Substitutions

Lo mein noodles → spaghetti or linguine (cook al dente to prevent sogginess)
Fish sauce → additional soy sauce or tamari (loses some umami depth)
Parmesan → Pecorino Romano (sharper, saltier finish)
Butter → olive oil (lighter flavor, less richness)

Storage & make-ahead

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days; reheat gently in a pan over medium-low heat with a splash of water to loosen the sauce.

Common Questions

Can I use regular spaghetti instead of lo mein noodles?

Yes, though lo mein's chewier texture works best. Spaghetti will work but cook it al dente to avoid mushiness when tossed with the sauce.

What does fish sauce do in this recipe?

Fish sauce adds savory umami depth to the sauce. It's traditional in Asian cooking and won't make the dish taste fishy when used in the small amount called for.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Best served fresh, but you can cook noodles and make the sauce separately, then toss together just before serving. Store the sauce separately in the fridge for up to 3 days.

What can I substitute for MSG?

Omit it entirely or replace with an extra 1/4 teaspoon soy sauce or fish sauce. MSG amplifies savory notes but isn't essential.

How do I prevent the garlic from burning?

Mince garlic finely and add it to melted butter over medium heat, stirring constantly for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned. Don't use high heat.