Name: Spicy Korean Ramen Beef: A Delicious and Easy Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Korean-Inspired
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef; 1 tablespoon vegetable oil; 3 garlic cloves, minced; 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated; 2 tablespoons gochujang (Korean red chili paste); 2 tablespoons soy sauce; 1 tablespoon sesame oil; 1 tablespoon brown sugar; 1½ cups beef broth or water; 1 cup kimchi, chopped; 2 packs Korean instant ramen noodles (like Shin Ramyun), seasoning packets omitted; 2 green onions, sliced; 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds; Optional toppings: soft-boiled eggs, nori strips, shredded carrots, bean sprouts

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If you’re craving a bowl of soul-warming comfort with bold flavors and just the right kick, you’ll absolutely fall in love with Spicy Korean Ramen Beef: A Delicious and Easy Recipe. This dish is a vibrant, savory, and slightly fiery take on classic ramen, combining deeply seasoned ground beef, tangy kimchi, chewy noodles, and a dose of gochujang for that signature Korean heat. It’s the ultimate weeknight dinner—you can have it steaming on your table in about 25 minutes, and every bite is guaranteed to satisfy those spicy noodle cravings!

Spicy Korean Ramen Beef: A Delicious and Easy Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simple, accessible ingredients, each one bringing something essential to the bowl—richness, heat, texture, or a pop of color. With just a handful of pantry staples and a few fresh add-ins, you’ll have everything you need for Spicy Korean Ramen Beef: A Delicious and Easy Recipe.

Ground beef: Juicy and flavorful, it soaks up all the delicious sauces while adding hearty protein.
Korean instant ramen noodles: The backbone of the recipe; look for a brand like Shin Ramyun for the perfect chewy bite.
Vegetable oil: Keeps everything from sticking and helps brown the beef beautifully.
Garlic cloves: Adds punchy aroma and depth you can’t skip.
Fresh ginger: Brings a subtle warmth and zing that balances the heat.
Gochujang (Korean red chili paste): The star ingredient for spicy, sweet, and umami-packed flavor.
Soy sauce: Provides salty, savory notes essential for classic ramen broth taste.
Sesame oil: Nutty fragrance and richness that ties everything together.
Brown sugar: A touch of sweetness to mellow the spice and round out the sauce.
Beef broth or water: Creates the sauce base, making the noodles extra slurpable.
Kimchi, chopped: Brings tang, crunch, and a pop of fermented flavor.
Green onions, sliced: For a fresh bite and a burst of color on top.
Toasted sesame seeds: Adds crunch and toasty flavor to finish the dish.
Optional toppings (soft-boiled eggs, nori strips, shredded carrots, bean sprouts): Personalize your bowl for extra flair and nutrition.

How to Make Spicy Korean Ramen Beef: A Delicious and Easy Recipe

Step 1: Brown the Beef

Start by heating the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat. Add the ground beef and break it up with a spatula as it cooks, letting it turn beautifully browned and crispy in spots. If there’s excess fat, feel free to drain a bit off—just leave enough for flavor!

Step 2: Sauté Garlic and Ginger

Once the beef is almost done, toss in the minced garlic and grated ginger. Let them sizzle for about a minute, stirring constantly. You’ll know it’s ready when your kitchen smells absolutely irresistible.

Step 3: Build the Spicy Sauce

Now the fun part: stir in the gochujang, soy sauce, sesame oil, and brown sugar. Mix well so the beef is coated in this glossy, spicy-sweet sauce. Let everything cook together for two to three minutes so the flavors meld and deepen.

Step 4: Simmer with Broth and Kimchi

Pour in the beef broth (or water) and bring it to a gentle simmer. Add the chopped kimchi and let it all bubble together for another three to four minutes. The kimchi will soften slightly, infusing the sauce with tang and crunch.

Step 5: Cook and Combine the Noodles

While the beef mixture simmers, cook your ramen noodles according to the package instructions—but skip the seasoning packets! Drain the noodles, then add them straight into the skillet. Give everything a good toss so the noodles are glossy and coated in that spicy sauce.

Step 6: Top and Serve

Finish by scattering sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds over the top. If you’re feeling fancy, add your favorite toppings like a jammy soft-boiled egg, some nori strips, or extra veggies. Dig in while it’s hot!

How to Serve Spicy Korean Ramen Beef: A Delicious and Easy Recipe

Garnishes

Garnishes can truly elevate your ramen experience. For Spicy Korean Ramen Beef: A Delicious and Easy Recipe, I love topping each bowl with a generous sprinkle of sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds. A soft-boiled egg adds creaminess, while nori strips or shredded carrots bring color and crunch. Personalize each bowl with your favorites!

Side Dishes

Pair your ramen with simple, refreshing sides to balance the heat. Quick cucumber salad, steamed edamame, or extra kimchi are perfect choices. These sides cool the palate and add a delightful variety of textures alongside the hearty noodles.

Creative Ways to Present

Try serving Spicy Korean Ramen Beef: A Delicious and Easy Recipe in deep bowls for that classic ramen shop feel. Arrange toppings neatly for a “wow” factor, or let everyone customize their own bowl buffet-style. For a fun twist, serve in wide mugs or mini pots for a cozy, casual vibe at gatherings.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers of Spicy Korean Ramen Beef: A Delicious and Easy Recipe keep well for up to three days in the fridge. Store the noodles and beef mixture together in an airtight container, and add fresh garnishes just before serving to keep them crisp.

Freezing

While ramen noodles can get a bit soft after freezing, you can definitely freeze the beef mixture on its own for up to two months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and cook fresh noodles to stir in when you’re ready to enjoy another bowl.

Reheating

To reheat, simply transfer your leftovers to a saucepan with a splash of water or broth. Warm over medium heat, stirring gently until everything is piping hot. Top with fresh garnishes and you’re ready to dig in again!

FAQs

Can I make this recipe less spicy?

Absolutely! Just reduce the amount of gochujang or use a mild variety. You can also add a little extra brown sugar or more broth to mellow out the heat without sacrificing flavor.

What kind of kimchi works best?

Any classic napa cabbage kimchi is perfect, but feel free to use your favorite style. Even radish kimchi adds a fun twist! Just make sure it’s well fermented for the boldest flavor.

Can I substitute the beef?

Yes! Spicy Korean Ramen Beef: A Delicious and Easy Recipe is super versatile—swap the ground beef for ground pork, chicken, turkey, or even crumbled tofu for a meatless version. Adjust seasonings as needed for your protein of choice.

Do I have to use Korean instant ramen noodles?

While Korean instant ramen gives the most authentic chew and flavor, you can use any ramen noodles you have on hand. Just skip the seasoning packets and let your homemade sauce shine!

How can I make this gluten-free?

Simply choose gluten-free ramen noodles and swap in tamari for soy sauce. Double-check your gochujang label as some contain wheat, but gluten-free versions are available at many Asian grocery stores.

Final Thoughts

There’s nothing quite like sharing a bowl of Spicy Korean Ramen Beef: A Delicious and Easy Recipe with friends or family—it’s cozy, customizable, and packed with flavor. Give this recipe a try the next time you’re craving something bold, and don’t forget to make it your own with toppings and sides. Happy slurping!

Spicy Korean Ramen Beef: A Delicious and Easy Recipe

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4.7 from 16 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

Spicy Korean Ramen Beef is a flavorful and easy-to-make dish combining savory ground beef with spicy gochujang sauce, tender Korean instant ramen noodles, and tangy kimchi. Perfect for a quick weeknight meal, this recipe delivers delicious Korean-inspired comfort food with bold flavors and a satisfying, hearty texture.

Ingredients

Scale

Beef Mixture

1 lb ground beef
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
2 tablespoons gochujang (Korean red chili paste)
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1½ cups beef broth or water
1 cup kimchi, chopped

Noodles & Toppings

2 packs Korean instant ramen noodles (like Shin Ramyun), seasoning packets omitted
2 green onions, sliced
1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
Optional toppings: soft-boiled eggs, nori strips, shredded carrots, bean sprouts

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Instructions

Brown the Beef: Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spatula. Drain excess fat if necessary.
Add Aromatics: Stir in the minced garlic and grated ginger, cooking for about 1 minute until fragrant.
Create the Sauce: Mix in the gochujang, soy sauce, sesame oil, and brown sugar. Cook for 2–3 minutes to allow the beef to fully absorb the sauce flavors.
Simmer with Broth and Kimchi: Pour in the beef broth or water and bring to a simmer. Add the chopped kimchi and continue to simmer for 3–4 minutes, blending the flavors.
Cook the Noodles: Meanwhile, cook the ramen noodles according to package instructions, omitting the seasoning packets. Drain well.
Combine Noodles and Beef Mixture: Add the drained noodles to the skillet with the beef and sauce mixture. Toss to combine thoroughly and heat everything through.
Serve & Garnish: Top with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds. Add optional toppings like soft-boiled eggs, nori strips, shredded carrots, or bean sprouts as desired before serving.