This classic garlic vermicelli dish is simple, fragrant, and packed with garlicky flavour. Rice noodles are tossed in a savoury soy-based sauce with plenty of garlic, spring onion, and a hint of chilli. It’s comforting, and comes together in under 20 minutes — perfect for busy days when you still want something homemade and satisfying.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple ingredients – Everything you need can be found in most supermarkets
- Quick & easy – Ready in around 20 minutes from start to finish
- Packed with flavour – Garlicky, savoury, and lightly spicy
- Vegetarian-friendly – Easy to keep meat-free with one simple swap
This recipe proves that you don’t need complicated techniques or long cooking times to create a delicious noodle dish at home.
Noodle Options (What Works Best)
Traditionally, this dish is made with glass noodles (vermicelli), which soak up the sauce beautifully. However, I find that rice noodles are much easier to find in UK supermarkets, and they work just as well in this recipe.
If you’d like to experiment, you can also use:
- Udon noodles
- Other thin wheat or rice noodles
No matter which noodles you choose, the garlic sauce keeps everything flavourful and satisfying.
Tips for the Best Garlicky Vermicelli
- Soak, don’t overcook the noodles – They should be soft but still slightly firm before going into the pan
- Cook the garlic gently – Medium heat helps release aroma without burning
- Adjust the chilli to taste – Remove seeds for mild heat or add more for extra spice
Easy Ways to Upgrade This Dish
If you’d like to upgrade this dish, it’s very easy to add extra ingredients. Stir-fried pork or prawns work especially well and add extra richness, while cabbage is a great vegetable option that absorbs the garlicky sauce beautifully. It’s a flexible recipe that adapts well to whatever you have in your fridge.
Final Thoughts
This quick garlicky vermicelli has become one of my go-to noodle dishes when I want something comforting but effortless. It’s proof that a handful of pantry ingredients can create big flavours in very little time.
Quick & Easy Garlicky Vermicelli (Rice Noodles)
Ingredients
- 2 packs dried rice noodles about 95g total
- Vegetable oil for cooking
- 2 tbsp finely chopped garlic
- 1 tbsp finely chopped spring onion
- 1 tsp finely chopped chilli optional; remove seeds for less heat
- A large handful of coriander to garnish or spring onion if preferred
FOR THE SAUCE *adjust to taste
- 1 & 1/4 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce or mushroom oyster sauce for a vegetarian option
- 1 tsp sugar
- A pinch of white pepper
- ½ tsp sesame oil
- 90 ml water
Instructions
- Soak the noodles : Soak the rice noodles in warm water for 5–7 minutes, until just softened (about 70–80% soft). Drain well and set aside.
- Prepare the sauce : In a small bowl, mix together all the sauce ingredients until well combined.
- Cook the aromatics : Heat a generous amount of vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the garlic, spring onion, and chilli, and stir-fry gently until fragrant. Do not let the garlic brown.
- Add the sauce : Pour in the sauce mixture and let it simmer for 1–2 minutes.
- Toss the noodles : Add the softened noodles to the pan and toss gently until they absorb the sauce and are evenly coated.
- Finish & serve : Turn off the heat, sprinkle with coriander, and serve immediately.
Video
Notes
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