gochujang buttered noodles

Ingredients

• 1 pound noodles (spaghetti, linguine, or udon)
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons gochujang (Korean chili paste)
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1 green onion, thinly sliced (for garnish)
• Sesame seeds (for garnish)
• Optional: 1/2 red chili pepper, thinly sliced (for extra spice)

Instructions

1. Cook noodles according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
2. While noodles are cooking, melt butter in a large skillet or wok over medium heat.
3. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Stir in gochujang, soy sauce, and honey. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly.
5. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Let simmer for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Add drained noodles to the skillet. Toss to coat with the gochujang sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water until desired consistency is reached.
7. Serve immediately, garnished with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. Add red chili pepper slices for extra spice, if desired.

Notes

• For a smoother sauce, blend the sauce with an immersion blender before adding the noodles.
• Adjust the amount of gochujang to your spice preference.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• To reheat, add a splash of water and stir over medium heat.
• Consider adding protein such as cooked chicken, tofu, or shrimp to make it a complete meal.