Meet your new weeknight obsession: Miso Butter Noodles! This ultra-cozy, quick dish features silky ramen coated in a luscious blend of white miso, creamy butter, and savory soy sauce, with fragrant garlic and a sprinkle of green onion for good measure. Once you try it, you’ll understand why it’s one of those meals you’ll crave again and again.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ridiculously Fast: Miso Butter Noodles come together in just 15 minutes—faster than takeout and so much more satisfying.
- Bold, Umami-Loaded Flavor: That dreamy duo of miso and butter melts right into the noodles, creating a rich, restaurant-style sauce you’ll want to slurp up.
- Versatile & Adaptable: Switch up the noodles, add veggies or protein, or make it plant-based—the sky’s the limit with this recipe.
- Family-Approved Comfort: Even picky eaters will go back for a second bowl (and maybe even lick the plate clean!).
Ingredients You’ll Need
You won’t believe how just a handful of carefully chosen ingredients turn into such wow-factor flavor! Each element plays a starring role in the Miso Butter Noodles, bringing amazing texture, color, and punch to the party.
- Butter: The trick to rich, glossy noodles—the fat helps carry that miso flavor and makes every bite luxurious.
- White miso paste: Subtly sweet and deeply savory, white miso is less salty than its red cousin, giving you full umami minus harshness.
- Soy sauce: Think of this as your secret weapon for depth and balance; low sodium works great, but use your favorite.
- Ramen noodles: Slurpy and springy, ramen brings a satisfying chew, but you can sub in other noodles if needed (see notes below!).
- Garlic: A quick sauté brings out mellow warmth that pairs perfectly with the buttery sauce.
- Green onion: Fresh, crisp, and just a little zippy, to finish each bowl with a burst of color and flavor.
Variations
The beauty of Miso Butter Noodles is how wonderfully customizable it is. Whether you’re working with pantry staples, have dietary needs, or just want to try something new, there’s plenty of room to make this recipe your own.
- Make it gluten-free: Swap in brown rice noodles or your favorite gluten-free pasta—the miso butter magic works on anything!
- Add veggies or protein: Toss in sautéed mushrooms, snap peas, or edamame, or top with a jammy boiled egg for a heartier meal.
- Go plant-based: Use a vegan butter and tamari, and double-check your miso is vegan-friendly for a bowl everyone can enjoy.
- Spice it up: Drizzle with chili crisp or scatter some thinly sliced fresh chilies over the top for a gentle kick.
How to Make Miso Butter Noodles
Step 1: Whisk Together the Miso Butter Sauce
Start by combining your melted butter, white miso, and soy sauce in a small bowl. Whisk vigorously until the mixture is completely smooth—this ensures the miso breaks down, so you won’t be battling lumps in your final sauce. Set this aside—it’ll wait patiently while you prep the noodles.
Step 2: Cook the Noodles
Bring a pot of water to a boil, but don’t add the noodles just yet! For ramen noodles (like Ocean’s Halo), turn off the heat first, then let the noodles steep for about a minute less than the package says. This keeps them perfectly toothsome—they’ll finish softening in the sauce later. Drain well.
Step 3: Sauté Garlic & Toss Everything Together
Heat a sliver of butter in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Sauté the minced garlic until it’s fragrant and just golden—about 1–2 minutes, but watch carefully so it doesn’t burn. Add your cooked noodles to the pan, pour the miso butter sauce over top, and toss until everything is evenly coated and glossy.
Step 4: Garnish & Serve
Take the pan off the heat and immediately sprinkle over your sliced green onions. Give the noodles one last gentle toss, then divide among bowls. That’s it—get ready to dig in!
Pro Tips for Making Miso Butter Noodles
- Miso Matters: For the mellowest, creamiest sauce, always use white miso—red will be saltier and overpower the balance.
- Sauce First, Noodles Last: Whisk the sauce before you start cooking the noodles so it’s silky and ready when you need to toss everything together hot.
- Don’t Overcook the Noodles: Undercook your noodles by about a minute—they’ll finish absorbing flavor in the pan and stay perfectly springy.
- Use Reserved Pasta Water (if needed): If your noodles seem a bit dry in the pan, a splash of saved cooking water will loosen the sauce without diluting the flavor.
How to Serve Miso Butter Noodles
Garnishes
A flurry of fresh green onions is classic, but these noodles also love to be dressed up with toasted sesame seeds, a sprinkle of nori flakes, or even a spoonful of crunchy chili crisp if you want extra oomph. For an herby twist, a little cilantro or Thai basil works beautifully too!
Side Dishes
Miso Butter Noodles pair deliciously with crisp steamed bok choy, blistered snap peas, or a simple cucumber salad. For something heartier, add soft-boiled eggs or sautéed mushrooms on the side for a truly comforting meal.
Creative Ways to Present
Try twirling the noodles into individual nests with tongs for a restaurant-style finish, serve in deep bowls with artful toppings arranged on top, or let guests build their own bowls from a “noodle bar” with a variety of fresh add-ins and sauces.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Miso Butter Noodles in a covered container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors deepen overnight, making the next day’s lunch extra delectable!
Freezing
While best enjoyed fresh, you can freeze cooked noodles in an airtight container for up to a month. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating for a speedy meal, though the texture will be softer compared to day one.
Reheating
To refresh leftovers, simply pop them in a pan with a splash of water or broth, gently warming and tossing until heated through. The microwave on low also works—just give the noodles a stir every 30 seconds to keep them glossy and prevent dryness.
FAQs
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Can I use a different type of miso for Miso Butter Noodles?
Absolutely! While white miso gives the mildest and creamiest result, you can use yellow or even red miso if you like a bolder, saltier kick. Just taste and adjust—some types can be more intense.
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I can’t find ramen noodles—what can I substitute?
Miso Butter Noodles are incredibly versatile—try spaghetti, udon, soba, or rice noodles. Just cook them until just shy of done so they can finish in the sauce.
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Is this recipe spicy?
Nope! The base recipe is all about umami and richness. If you want to bring the heat, topping with chili crisp or crushed red pepper does the trick.
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Can I make Miso Butter Noodles vegan?
Definitely! Just swap in a good-quality plant-based butter, be sure your miso is vegan, and use tamari instead of soy sauce if you’re gluten-free too. The flavors are just as dreamy.
Final Thoughts
I hope these Miso Butter Noodles find a happy place in your kitchen as they have in mine. They’re cozy, unfussy, and pack serious flavor punch in just minutes. Trust me—once you take that first twirly, savory, buttery bite, you’ll be hooked. Enjoy every slurp!
PrintMiso Butter Noodles Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Miso Butter Noodles are a delightful fusion of flavors, combining the umami richness of miso with the creaminess of butter, tossed with tender ramen noodles and aromatic garlic. Quick and easy to make, this dish is perfect for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Miso Butter Sauce:
- 3 tablespoons melted butter + more for sautéing
- 1 1/2 tablespoons white miso
- 1 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce
Noodles:
- 1/2 lb ramen noodles
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 green onion, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Miso Butter Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together melted butter, miso, and soy sauce. Set aside.
- Cook Noodles: Cook ramen noodles for 1 minute less than package directions. Drain.
- Sauté: Sauté garlic in butter. Add cooked noodles. Pour miso butter sauce over noodles, stir to coat.
- Serve: Top with green onions and enjoy!
Notes
- Noodles: Use Ocean’s Halo ramen noodles or substitute with brown rice noodles or spaghetti.
- Miso: Opt for white miso for a sweeter flavor.
- Soy Sauce: Low sodium soy sauce works well.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 342 kcal
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 1837mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0.3g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 23mg