Spicy & Sweet Stir-fried Squid with Noodles (Gochujang-Free)
A Recipe for Spicy Stir-fried Squid Without Gochujang, Served with Noodles
Today, I’ll show you how to make delicious stir-fried squid with a smoky aroma, using frozen squid and no gochujang! Stir-fry it to a delightful spiciness, serve with noodles, and you’ll have a truly fantastic meal. My mom’s recipe results in crisp vegetables and chewy squid, perfect for when you crave a spicy kick. Ready to make this amazing stir-fried squid and noodles? Let’s go! ☝️
Stir-fried Squid & Noodles Ingredients
- 1 Squid, prepared
- 1/4 Cabbage
- 2 Green chili peppers
- 2 Red chili peppers
- 1/2 Onion
- 1 Stalk Green onion
- A little Carrot
- 1 Serving Noodles
Spicy & Sweet Seasoning
- 3 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1/3 Tbsp Salt (or to taste)
- A pinch of Black pepper (to taste)
- 3 Tbsp Oligodang (corn syrup or similar sweetener)
- 2 Tbsp Soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp Sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp Minced garlic
- 3 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1/3 Tbsp Salt (or to taste)
- A pinch of Black pepper (to taste)
- 3 Tbsp Oligodang (corn syrup or similar sweetener)
- 2 Tbsp Soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp Sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp Minced garlic
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let the pre-cleaned frozen squid thaw naturally. Once thawed, rinse it lightly under running water and cut it into bite-sized pieces (about 2-3 cm). You don’t need to marinate the squid separately for this recipe; we’ll stir-fry it directly. It’s incredibly simple yet delicious, making it a perfect snack or accompaniment to drinks.
Step 2
Feel free to use any vegetables you have on hand! I’ve prepared cabbage, green onion, carrot, onion, and red and green chilies. You don’t need to buy anything extra to make this dish taste great. Cucumbers, zucchini, or mushrooms would also be wonderful additions, so utilize whatever is in your refrigerator. Cut all your chosen vegetables into manageable, similar-sized pieces.
Step 3
And that’s it for the ingredient prep! Most stir-fried squid recipes involve marinating the squid, but this one skips that step for ultimate simplicity and deliciousness.
Step 4
Lightly oil a frying pan and place the chopped vegetables in the pan first, creating an even layer. Then, place the prepared squid on top of the vegetables. This stir-fried squid is best enjoyed immediately after cooking, so I recommend preparing it right before you plan to eat. 🙂
Step 5
Now, let’s add the seasoning that will bring this dish to life. Measure out 3 tablespoons of gochugaru, a pinch of black pepper, 1/3 tablespoon of salt (or adjust to your taste), 3 tablespoons of oligodang, 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, and 1 tablespoon of minced garlic. Do not turn on the heat yet! Sprinkle the seasoning ingredients evenly over the ingredients in the pan. Your preparation is now complete! All that’s left is to turn on the heat and stir-fry just before serving.
Step 6
Time to stir-fry! Once the heat is on, resist the urge to stir immediately. Let the vegetables sizzle and release some moisture, cooking until they start to soften. When the vegetables begin to wilt slightly, then give everything a good mix to combine the squid and seasoning evenly. The key is to cook the squid quickly so it doesn’t become tough, so think of it as the last ingredient to be cooked. Slightly undercooking the vegetables also helps maintain their crispness for a better stir-fry. 🙂
Step 7
This stir-fried squid, made without gochujang and relying solely on gochugaru, develops a fantastic smoky aroma as it cooks. Once all ingredients are cooked through, turn off the heat and drizzle with 1 tablespoon of sesame oil for a fragrant finish. This will result in incredibly delicious stir-fried squid. See how vibrant and crisp the vegetables are? The trick to the amazing flavor is to stir-fry quickly over high heat just before serving.
Step 8
Let’s prepare the noodles, which are the perfect partner for this dish! Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil and add a serving of noodles. Cook for about 3 minutes, then quickly rinse them under cold water to prevent sticking. Gently knead the noodles with your hands for an even chewier texture. Drain the rinsed noodles thoroughly in a colander. Your mouth-watering stir-fried squid and noodles are now ready!
Step 9
You’ll love the satisfying crunch of the vegetables and the clean, spicy flavor. Without gochujang, the taste is refreshingly light and refined, not heavy or cloying. My mom always advised, ‘Lay the vegetables down first, then the squid, sprinkle the seasoning, let the vegetables soften a bit, then mix well with the squid and seasoning, stir-fry briefly, and finish with sesame oil.’ Following her advice, this recipe is incredibly simple yet tastes phenomenal. You must try it!
