FASTER THAN DELIVERY: 20-Minute Sweet and Spicy Pork Noodles
If you’re craving Sweet and Spicy Pork Noodles but don’t want to wait for delivery, this recipe is for you. With quick-cooking Asian noodles, a few pantry staples, and savory ground pork, you can have a dinner that’s faster—and significantly better—than takeout. This dish is about to become your new weeknight obsession
If you like Dan Dan noodles, you are going to love this dish. You can have a bowl of sweet and spicy pork noodles on the table in less time than it takes an Uber Eats or DoorDash driver to even reach your local restaurant.
By combining savory ground pork with a few pantry staples and the addictive crunch of chili crisp, you can create a 20-minute meal that is a significant upgrade from your favorite takeout spot
The Secret is in the Noodles
For this recipe, I used Momofuku’s Sweet & Spicy Noodles.. Think of them as a restaurant-quality version of instant ramen—a major step up from the average pack that still only takes minutes to prepare. In fact, because air-dried noodles cook in just a few minutes, you want to drop them into the water only when the pork and sauce are ready.
You can find the noodles online or in most local grocery stores. I love them for their signature bouncy texture, but you can certainly use what you have on hand. Look for Taiwanese air-dried or A-Sha noodles for a similar result. Just keep in mind that the style will change how the sauce clings to the strands—though in a pinch, even high-quality ramen or linguine works!
The Star: Caramelized Pork & Spicy Sauce
The heart of this dish is the ground pork, which is transform into something truly addictive. The secret is in the caramelization. By letting the pork sear undisturbed in a hot pan, you develop those crispy, golden-brown bits that contrast perfectly with the tender noodles.
The sauce has a savory trio of flavors: peanut butter for creamy richness, soy sauce for salty depth, and a generous dollop of chili crisp. The result is a pork mixture that is salty, sweet, and just spicy enough to keep you coming back for another bite.
Bringing it All Together
Once your pork is caramelized and your sauce is prepared, it’s time for the final “slurp-worthy” transformation. Add your cooked noodles directly into the pan with the pork.
Finish the dish with a heavy hand of fresh garnishes—sliced scallions for a pop of green, crushed peanuts for extra crunch or maybe another drizzle of chili crisp if you’re feeling bold. Serve it immediately while the noodles are slippery and the pork is at its crispiest.
Sweet and Spicy Pork Noodles
Serves 2, adjust the recipe accordingly
Ingredients
- 1 tsp. peanut oil
- 1/2 lb. ground pork
- salt to taste
- 1 Tbsp. fresh ginger minced or ginger paste
- 2 scallions (greens and whites), sliced
- 3 Tbsp. peanut butter (creamy)
- 2 Tbsp. soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp. rice vinegar
- 2 Tndp. Chili Crunch (adjust for your heat preference)
- 1 Tbsp. sugar
- 2 packets Momofuku Sweet and Spicy Noodles (or Taiwanese air-dried noodles)
- 2 packets of included Momofuku sauce (optional)
- additional sliced scallions, for garnish
Instructions
- Crisp the Pork: Heat oil in a skillet over high heat and add pork when the pan is hot, pressing so it’s evenly spread across the pan. Let the pork cook undisturbed for 4 minutes. Stir then let it cook undisturbed again for 4 more minutes.Reduce heat to medium. Break up pork into small pieces with your spoon.
- Sauté the Aromatics: Add ginger, scallions, and the sauce packet from the noodles to the pork, then cook until about half of the liquid has absorbed, stirring frequently, about 2 more minutes. Remove from heat.
- Make the Sauce: Meanwhile, combine peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, Chili Crunch, and sugar in a bowl, whisking or stirring until it is an even consistency. Taste for additional seasoning, if needed.
- Boil the Noodles: Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add a teaspoon of oil to the water and drop in noodles. Cook for 4 – 5 minutes, then drain.
- Toss and Serve: Return the pan with the pork to medium heat. Add the noodles and sauce, then toss. Divide between two bowls and sprinkle with more scallions.
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Whether you use the Momofuku noodles or swap in what’s in your cupboard, the result is always a restaurant-quality meal. Once you taste that velvety sauce—with the richness of the peanut butter and that signature chili crisp tingle—you’ll see why this has become a permanent staple in my weeknight rotation. Don’t be afraid to make it your own.
If you try this with a different noodle or protein, let me know in the comments below—I’d love to hear your favorite combo.
20-Minute Sweet and Spicy Pork Noodles
Ingredients
Method
- Crisp the Pork: heat oil in a skillet over high heat. Add pork when the pan is hot, pressing so it's evenly spread. Let cook undisturbed 4 minutes. Stir, then cook undisturbed 4 more minutes. Reduce to medium and break pork into small pieces.
- Sauté the Aromatics: add ginger, scallions, and the sauce packet to the pork. Cook until about half the liquid has absorbed, stirring frequently, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Make the Sauce: meanwhile, combine peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, Chili Crunch and sugar in a bowl. Whisk until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Boil the Noodles: bring a pot of water to a boil. Add a teaspoon of oil and drop in the noodles. Cook 4–5 minutes, then drain.
- Toss and Serve: return the pork pan to medium heat. Add the noodles and sauce, then toss. Divide between two bowls and sprinkle with more scallions.
I love their noodles – about a month ago I bought some of them for myself and 2 nephews and a niece. They all live in the Washington D.C. area where Momofuku is very popular even though some of their restaurants are closed. I made a mac and cheese recently and it was creamy good (will post soon) – I found the sauce too salty for me and will make adjustments in the future. There are lots of recipes on their website and then of course this delicious recipe from you. Pricey but I feel they are worth it 🙂 Recently they have made some updates…
Delicious. And I love quick recipes that give a great result!
YUM! This sounds wonderful. My grandson always has a stash of Momofuku noodles for lunches. I’m going to make it this week as we just bought some ground pork for some meals this week. Very timely recipe. Thanks!!
This is the type of meal we would enjoy. Adding the staples that we already have in the pantry to a a packet of noodles and taste like it was made in a restaurant . . . I’m all in!
You’ve got my mouth watering and I’ve just come home after eating all afternoon on a sunny terrace! Great recipe!
My husband and I are cooking more and more Asian dishes so this is a perfect addition to our rotation. I have updated my shopping list and look forward to devouring the results!
Karen, that dish looks amazing! I love that it is quick and easy but provides wonderful flavor! I am going to try this. Thanks for sharing!
Sweet, spicey and totally satisfied with your recipe!
Living in Australia a stir-fry like this is the usual-go-to multiple times a week, for practical purposes using anything you have in the fridge . .,. love the pork mince . . . your use of peanut butter and chilli crisp add that extra touch to this one 🙂 !
That looks so appetizing. Love sweet and spice combo of flavour.
I must look to see what our equivalent of Momofuku Sweet and Spicy Noodles is, as this sounds so delicious 🙂
I don’t know what chilli crunch is, Karen, but it all sounds delicious xx
You made me hungry! This dish looks delicious. I will be trying this real soon! Thank you!
Such a lovely dish Karen. Sweet and spicy is always welcome. I definitely will be making these. I just have to find the noodles. Thanks for sharing.
It looks delicious in your pics.
This sounds wonderful! I’m looking into those noodles!
This sounds great..you had me hunting for what chili crunch is!!
That looks so good! I have to give it a try-thanks Karen! 😀 And sometimes delivery takes 40 minutes so this is not only better but quicker.
I will get these noodles and make this delicious looking dish when my husband recovers from his treatment for tongue cancer .
The Momofuku noodles are soooo good. My husband always stocks up on them. 😉
We could eat this everyday! So much flavor. We love Momofuku garlic chili oil but did not know they make noodles too. Must check that out. Healthy World Cuisine
This sounds delightful! I’ve actually been doing a lot of Chinese cooking lately. I’m going to give this a try. It would be a great addition to my repertoire.
This sounds perfect, Karen — and I am thrilled to have found a garlic-free chili crisp! I can use my Momofuku soy sauce for this!
This is exactly the kind of weeknight noodle dish that speaks to my soul, sweet, spicy, porky, and unapologetically slurp‑worthy
This looks so comforting, Karen! I love the sweet-spicy combination, and those noodles sound perfect for a quick, flavour-packed dinner.
Oh this is making my mouth water…and it’s not even 8am yet! Who needs take-out when you can make something this delicious at home!?
Your pictures are making me so hungry! Making this quick and easy dish is way better than ordering out, and you get more for your money!
This looks amazing, Karen! We always have noodles when it rains so I’m excited to try this. I’m going to do a pork version for my family and a tofu version for myself. They’re going to be over the moon! Hugs, CoCo