These Ramen Noodles with Creamy Peanut Sauce are perfect for quenching your Asian takeout craving, without leaving the driveway.
When we were in Calgary, we decided to visit the Crossroads Market – a 100,000 square foot market with over 150 vendors showcasing countless flavors, products, and food items from around the world. Christian had landed in Calgary a day before us before we’d gone to Banff, so he’d visited the market prior, and knew it was a must-see (and taste). Our entire vacation at Banff, he couldn’t stop raving about the Dandan Noodles at Eats of Asia inside the Crossroads Market. So, when we had a little over 24 hours in Calgary, we decided we’d head to the market.
We ordered some pork bao (steamed buns) and two noodle dishes, one being the dandan. While it was too spicy for me to indulge in an entire bowl, I could taste the intense flavors, and understand Christians obsession.
That was my [loose] inspiration for this recipe.
Why was it loosely my inspiration? Well, dandan noodles are a Chinese noodle dish consisting of spicy sauce made from preserved vegetables, mustard stems, chili oil, Sichuan pepper, minced pork and scallions. Not quite what I have here… the experience was more so my inspiration than the exact recipe for dandan.
In my quest to making recipes easier, I came up with this noodle dish instead. A hit of garlic and nutty peanuts in each bite, I felt like I was eating at the Asian place down the street.
Seeing as I like to share a mixture of healthy and indulgent recipes, I would classify this one as indulgent, simply because of the Ramen base. The instant Ramen base.
Don’t give me that look…
Come on, it’ll bring back memories of when you were in college and had the munchies at 1AM and all you had was 10,000 packages of instant Ramen, and nothing else. The good ole days.
- ½ cup peanut butter
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp ground (or fresh) ginger
- 2 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- ½ tsp hoisin sauce
- ¼ cup vegetable broth
- 16oz instant Ramen noodles
- *Optional for topping:
- 1 hard-boiled egg
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro
- 2 scallions, chopped
- 2 tbsp crushed peanuts
- Combine the peanut butter, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, hoisin in a food processor. Process until well-combined.
- Add in the vegetable broth and process again, until well-combined. If sauce is too thick, add more broth until desired texture is reached.
- Set a medium pot of hot water to boil over medium-high heat.
- When boiling, add in two packages of instant Ramen. Boil for 3-4 minutes, or until noodles are soft.
- Using tongs, remove noodles and place in a large bowl.
- Pour sauce onto noodles and stir together.
If you’re looking for an Asian-inspired dish on the healthier side, check out my Pineapple ‘Fried’ Cauliflower Rice! (Click the image below for the recipe)
Join the conversation:
Have you ever had a meal on a trip that inspired a recipe you’ve made at home?
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Haha! Love this.. this is an easier version of the actual thing and OHHHH the good ole Ramen days. I’d go back to those days, but maybe just for a day 😉
Erin @ The Almond Eater recently posted…How to Make Your Images Pinterest-Ready
I’m all about the EZ version lol
The Blissful Balance recently posted…Chocolate Chip Coffee Muffins
Such a classy take on ramen noodles! Usually in college, people put ketchup, mayo and spam in ramen which totally turns me off but I could totally go for this asian-inspired version! This meal is cheap, healthy and looks so easy-to-make which makes it the perfect college meal!
rachel at athletic avocado recently posted…Warm and Nourishing Bowl of Frothy Chai Spiced Oatmeal with Apple Noodles
Haha what can I say I eat this with my pinky held high ;D lmao
The Blissful Balance recently posted…Chocolate Chip Coffee Muffins
Noodles and peanut butter is pretty much my favorite food combination and this recipe looks so good!
Amanda Elizabeth – Meet at the Barre recently posted…Favorite Valentine’s Look
It sounds crazy but is ridiculously good!! Thanks girl xo
The Blissful Balance recently posted…Chocolate Chip Coffee Muffins
Crazily enough, I have NEVER had Ramen BEFORE!!
GiGi Eats recently posted…A Not So Ribbiting Taste Test
GIIIIRRLLL get yourself on that Ramen train ASAP!
The Blissful Balance recently posted…Chocolate Chip Coffee Muffins
The egg draws my attention to this recipe!
Looks delicious!
Alexandria @ Al2getherfit recently posted…The Best Foods For Nursing Mothers (plus a recipe!)
Thanks Alex!! <3
The Blissful Balance recently posted…Chocolate Chip Coffee Muffins
Ahh yes the good ol college days (I feel old saying that haha). Ramen and Easy Mac <33 This looks super good!
When we were in Alaska we had so. much. salmon. and it quickly became one of my favorite foods. When we got home we made this smoked salmon dip that we ate there and it was delicious. I love traveling and it's a fun way to try a lot of new/different foods!
I know right. I was just in college… 2 years ago? AAAH!
The Blissful Balance recently posted…Chocolate Chip Coffee Muffins
Well, I must say… I love what you’ve done here! Ramen was my go-to after school “snack” before dance class. I think my little brother still has it all the time…. eeekkk. No matter how much I try to get my parents to make him eat healthier he just refuses!
But that sauce sounds amazing!
Ashley @ Fit Mitten Kitchen recently posted…Sweet Potato Fries with Walnuts, Brown Sugar, & Sweet Chili Sauce
I rarely ever had it in college haha. I ate more at the dining hall than anything (which wasn’t much better)
The Blissful Balance recently posted…Chocolate Chip Coffee Muffins
This looks so delicious. I’m a sucker for anything with peanut sauce
Diana recently posted…Soda Alternatives- Tried, Tested & Reviewed by an Ex Soda Addict
Haha!! Any excuse to use peanut butter!
The Blissful Balance recently posted…Chocolate Chip Coffee Muffins
Ha!! I love you. Ramen TOTALLY brought me back to college and I’m not even ashamed to admit I still think those 99 cent ramen packs are good. So no doubt this homemade, ‘way better for you’ version is gonna blow my mind!!!
Chrissa – Physical Kitchness recently posted…Warm-Up Treadmill Workout
THEY ARE and I actually think they are really good before cooking them lol ooops
The Blissful Balance recently posted…Chocolate Chip Coffee Muffins
YUMMM, now I’m craving Ramen!! When I went to Bangkok my friend took us to a place that was known for soup dumplings. SO COOL. Don’t know if I’ll be bold enough to try and replicate that recipe any time soon, though 😛
Oh I have been wanting to make dumplings so bad. One of my favesssss
The Blissful Balance recently posted…Chocolate Chip Coffee Muffins
Ramen is one of my absolute favorite comfort food. Can’t wait to try out your recipe, I have never tried ramen with peanut butter before but am definitely going to give it a try. Thanks for the recipe.