40 Must-Try Asian-Inspired Noodle Dishes

I’ve had my fair share of Asian noodle dishes, but with little convincing that I could *actually* recreate them at home. That was until the Thai Wheat Noodles caught my eye among the chaotic aisles of Trader Joe’s.

These shelf-stable noodles retain a tender texture, even though they come pre-cooked and ready-to-eat in plastic wrap – all life-saving qualities when it comes to me whipping up a last-minute lunch. All they need is a quick toss with some prepped protein and veg in a skillet, and you’ve got a filling meal ready in mere minutes! Convenience is key in this busy life of ours, but these strands don’t dare to spare good quality. It’s a 10/10 for me!

The thick Thai Wheat Noodles paired *so* swimmingly with my next pick: the Trader Joe’s Soyaki Sauce. Based on dated online reviews, this salty sauce has been around for a hot minute, which made me feel truly foolish that I hadn’t given it a try since. If you’re somewhat of a Soyaki connoisseur, just know I’m ashamed of me, too. 😔

I’m really not joking when I say I put the Soyaki Sauce on every subsequent dish for the entire week after I bought it. Whether it was a curious medley of sautéed vegetables, pan-seared chicken breast, or marinated tofu, I just couldn’t resist the overwhelming impression of ~sodium.~ I am a super salty gal, after all. 10/10 goes to the Soyaki!

Who needs a detailed cocktail recipe when you’ve got this spicy juice and some Tito’s on-hand? At least, that’s how taste testing the Organic Jalapeño Limeade made me feel. A typical Friday night turned obnoxiously fun-filled, just by mixing the two!

The limeade (admittedly enjoyed at room temperature) supplied a refreshing sip, and it was honestly yummy enough to indulge in on its own. My palette barely ever caught a hint of the added vodka, too – likely due to the hefty jalapeño kick. That may be perceived as dangerous, *but* I was feeling daring! This bev earns a 9/10 from moi.

I prefer to bake my muffins fresh, just like The Muffin Man would. And though they were delish, the Gluten-Free Cinnamon Coffee Cake Muffins I got from Trader Joe’s earned the bulk of their points for sheer convenience.

Despite being gluten-free, each fist-sized muffin was insanely moist. I’m even not sure how the cliche that GF treats are desert-dry got in my brain in the first place – the amount of good AF gluten-free desserts (including these baked goods in question) I’ve had recently have certainly changed my mind.

Anywho, the Coffee Cake Muffins bring breakfast convenience to the next level – just grab and go, and you’re golden. Beyond the A.M., these big boys make for a mouthwatering midnight snack when warmed up and served alongside a single scoop of ice cream. 8/10! 👩🍳

Perfectly Pickled Pups: 9/10

I had been waiting to get my grubby little hands on the Perfectly Pickled Pups for months – and it finally happened one day in early June. As a certified Brine Lover, the tiny dogs just seemed like the *perfect* pickle-y snack (the product name truly sold me), soaked in a mischievous mix of dill, garlic, and sea salt, then tossed in a crunchy layer of batter and breadcrumbs.

The bite-sized franks did not disappoint once on flavor. If I already drool for pickle-flavored snacks like popcorn and potato chips, I knew that the Perfectly Pickled Pups were made for me. What added some real magic to my culinary experience was an effortless 8-10 minute air-fry, and a dipping ramekin full of dill pickle ranch – yes, it’s a thing.

Life is *anything* but dull when you’ve got a spicy-sweet snack to munch on. The Strawberry & Jalapeño Crisps from TJ’s delivered this complementary flavor pairing, all while being salaciously satisfying on the texture front.

The excellently thin crackers boast bits of dried jalapeños and strawberries that have some chew to them – the rest of the buttermilk biscuit rounds out every jammy bite, which I’d recommend taking with a generous morsel of goat cheese.

These crisps are ideal for elevated picnics or collaborative charcuterie boards. They go beyond your plain ol’ cracker in terms of flavor and feel, which is why I give the Strawberry & Jalapeño Crisps a favorable 9/10.

In the vein of easy dinners, the Trader Joe’s frozen section is a godsend. That’s *exactly* where I landed on this bag of BBQ Teriyaki Chicken, in an effort to spend as little time as possible making a meal.

All it required of me was a few minutes in the skillet – the pre-cooked chicken and BBQ teriyaki sauce packets included made the process easier than easy, and the result was a surprisingly satisfying meal. Each nug of dark meat met a glaze-like coating of sauce that packed in flavor.

And though I’d rather cook something fresh, I have my lazy girl moments from time to time – which is why I’d reach for the BBQ Teriyaki Chicken again. 8/10 rating!

The checkout line is where Trader Joe’s gets the best of even the most streamlined shopper. They’re constantly waving items in front of your face that look wayyyy too good for words – the chocolate and mints section up front is where I get stuck – it’s like a death trap for my wallet, but a serene oasis for my sweet tooth. 🤪

This time, my sweet tooth ushered me right to the Chai Tea Mints. Each leaf-shaped mint genuinely tastes like a chai latte with a minty hint, and provides an easy midday pick-me-up. Spicy yet sweet, the tidbits have a forever home in my purse – and by the time they run out, maybe TJ’s will have another killer mint flavor waiting for me. 8/10 for me.

Spicy Drunken Noodles

Thai chiles heat things up in this noodle dish. It's super easy to customize this meal, too, with your choice of veggies and protein! (via Cilantro Parsley)

Peanut Satay Noodles

You can throw all of the veggies you have on-hand into this noodle recipe for an effortless dinner. Whether it's edamame or broccoli, the additions pair swimmingly with the homemade peanut sauce. (via Two Spoons)

Ginger Lime Cold Noodle Salad

Each forkful of this cold noodle salad supplies a hefty crunch, suitable for those summer days when you just want to cool off. (via Chef Bai)

Carrot Noodles with Thai Peanut Sauce

Carrot-based noodles (if zoodles are a thing, certainly coodles can be, too?) replace regular vermicelli or udon ones in this easy Asian noodle recipe. They turn out to brighten up the dish, instead of weighing it down. (via The Endless Meal)

Easy Sesame Peanut Tahini Noodles with Halloumi

Enjoy this Asian noodle meal knowing that it's fully gluten-free. Halloumi adds some deserved cheesy and salty flavor elements to fistfuls of satisfying umami-infused noodles. (via Rachel Mansfield)

Peanut Soba Noodle Salad

This chilled noodle salad recipe will become an overnight sensation in your household. It's packed with nourishing vegetables and drizzled in a truly addictive peanut sauce. (via Munching with Mariyah)

Hakka Noodles with Shrimp

Nests of egg noodles form the base of this tasty noodle recipe. For stir fry toppings, basically any veggie will fit right in with this dish's spice. (via Signature Concoctions)

Garlic Chili Oil Noodles

This recipe allows you to chef up your own chili garlic sauce. Umami flavors for the win! (via Takes Two Eggs)

Pad Kee Mao

This Pad Kee Mao noodle recipe beats takeout any day. The best part about making this dish at home is you have the power to control your desired spice level. I love a 4 out of 5! (via A Spicy Perspective)

Kimchi Udon Noodles

Kimchi brings mouthwatering fermented notes to udon noodles and forms a cozy meal altogether! (via Live Eat Learn)

Vegan Peanut Noodles

Add some air-fried tofu or any other protein of your choice to these vegan noodles. No matter what you choose, your addition will get smothered in a mind-blowingly delicious peanut sauce. (via Veggie Society)

Garlic Sesame Noodles

Get excited, because these garlicky noodles are all said and done in a matter of 30 minutes. Weeknights are saved! (via This Wife Cooks)

Vegan Udon Noodle Soup

Udon noodles are the best because they're thick in size and balanced in texture. In this easy Asian noodle recipe, they shine among handfuls of spinach, carrot, and mushrooms of your choice. (via Gastroplant)

Vegan Sweet & Peppery Oriental Noodles

You only need 10 accessible ingredients to form this noodle dish! Though they taste amazing alone, the noodles also pair well with seared tofu, broccoli, and pickled ginger. (via No Eggs Or Ham)

Easy Instant Pot Soba Noodles

The Instant Pot makes this recipe even more seamless. The noodles soak up a flavorful mixture of white wine vinegar, honey, soy sauce, garlic, and sriracha. (via The Girl On Bloor)

Asian Veggie Noodle Bowl with Grilled Steak

If you've ever dreamed of eating the rainbow, now's your chance. This easy noodle bowl recipe adds mounds of colorful veggies atop a bed of vermicelli and steak. (via Half Baked Harvest)

1. Forrest Gump

One of the most memorable quotes from this widely-praised classic comes from Forrest Gump himself, where the titular character repeats a phrase often used by his late mother: “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.”

That’s just one of the inspirational lessons you will take away throughout the film. Serving as an adaption of Winston Groom’s 1986 novel of the same title, Forrest Gump follows an Alabama man who doesn’t let his intellectual shortcomings stand in his way. From fighting on the front lines of the Vietnam War to captaining a shrimp boat, Forrest Gump is living his life to the fullest.

But he yearns to be with his childhood love, Jenny, who goes on to live a troubling life. Not only was Forrest Gump a box office success (garnering a whopping $678.2 million worldwide during its theatrical run, btw) but it was admired by critics and fans alike, earning an 8.8 out of 10 rating on IMDb and a 75 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. While this Tom Hanks movie has faced some controversy over the years, its redeeming qualities make it one of the most iconic movies of the 90s.

2. Toy Story

Woody is the true definition of best friend goals. Woody’s unwavering fearlessness and ability to go to infinity and beyond for Andy (AKA his owner) and his fellow toys is quite endearing. It’s hard to picture anyone other than Tom Hanks voicing the iconic vintage doll. From the moment Woody is first introduced on screen, Hanks brings a story of charm and je ne sais quoi to the character that can’t be replicated.

While the Toy Story movie franchise consists of four movies (with a fifth movie currently in the works, ICYMI), the first Toy Story movie will always be a fan favorite, earning an 8.3 out of 10 rating on IMDb and a perfect 100 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes.

3. Philadelphia

Moving, poignant and unforgettable. Those are the three words that describe Hank’s phenomenal (and don’t forget Oscar-winning!) performance in 1993’s law drama Philadelphia. Meet Andrew Beckett, a lawyer working at a prestigious law firm in Philadelphia. In a desperate attempt to save his career, he keeps his HIV diagnosis and homosexuality a secret from his co-workers.

However, an employee discovers his secret, and as a result, Beckett is let go from the law firm. Angered by the firm’s decision, Beckett enlists the help of a Black lawyer named Joe Miller (played by Denzel Washington) and sues his former employer for discrimination.

From the talented ensemble cast to the film’s underlying message of social injustice and prejudice, Philadelphia is an absolute must-watch from beginning to end. And the ratings speak for themselves: Philadelphia has a 7.7/10 on IMDb and 81 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.

4. ​Big

If you ask me, Big is like the big brother to 13 Going on 30 and 17 Again. Directed by Penny Marshall (who you may recognize from the TV sitcom Laverne & Shirley!), Big follows a 12-year-old boy named Josh Baskin, who wishes he was “big.”

One day, he wakes up as an adult. However, Josh longs for the days of childhood. But what makes this film so great? Hanks brings such a childlike innocence to the role that you can’t help but smile whenever he appears on screen. Whether he’s playing with toys or gleefully playing a sonnet on a life-size piano keyboard with his feet, Big makes you feel an enchanting sense of nostalgia, where you can think back to a time when life was so carefree and being a child wasn’t a distant memory. Also, it has a 7.3/10 rating on IMDb and a whopping 98 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.

5. Sleepless in Seattle

As someone who has watched Sleepless in Seattle more than once, I can’t say enough how much this timeless rom-com deserves a spot on this list. From the undeniable chemistry between Hanks and Meg Ryan to the talented ensemble cast, this is a movie I put on whenever I’m in the mood for a genuine, heartwarming romance. What’s not to love?

Following the death of his wife, Sam Baldwin and his son move to Seattle for a fresh start. One night, Jonah calls into a radio station to find his dad a new wife. While driving late at night, a journalist named Annie Reed is listening to the same radio segment and she falls for Sam, but—get this—she’s engaged.

Unable to get him off her mind, Annie takes a leap of faith and writes to Sam, asking him to meet up on top of the Empire State Building on Valentine’s Day. If that doesn’t scream romance, then I don’t know what does. Though Sleepless in Seattle received a 6.8/10 rating on IMDb and 75 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, it remains one of my fave Nora Ephron films and Tom Hanks’ swoon-worthy portrayal of Sam is chef's kiss.

6. ​Cast Away

If you were questioning Tom Hanks’ range as an actor, just put on Cast Away (which has a 7.8/10 rating on IMDb and 88 percent on Rotten Tomatoes) one time and you’ll see for yourself. I mean, the man is acting alongside a volleyball named Wilson for most of the movie, for crying out loud.

Hanks is a force to be reckoned with in this film, where he plays a FedEx executive who survives a plane crash and becomes stranded on a deserted island. As he fights to survive, he dreams of one day reuniting with a person he holds near and dear to his heart: his soon-to-be fiancée.

7. ​Saving Private Ryan

The first time I watched Saving Private Ryan was in Social Studies class. Middle school, to be exact. Set during WWII, Saving Private Ryan follows Captain John Miller and his regiment as they embark on a journey to locate Private James Ryan, whose three brothers have been killed in combat.

This movie will stick with you after the screen fades to black and the end credits roll. And Hanks’ ability to capture Captain John Miller’s sincerity and valiantness with so much authenticity was nothing short of spectacular. But that’s not the only reason why it deserves a spot on everyone’s watch list. While it’s certainly not an easy watch, this film tells an impactful yet inspiring story about resilience, loss, and the disastrous conditions of war. Not to mention, it has an impressive 8.6/10 rating on IMDb and 94 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. Need I say more?

8. ​Catch Me If You Can

What do you get when you put Tom Hanks and Leonardo DiCaprio in a crime-action comedy? Catch Me If You Can, that’s what! Serving as a live adaptation of Frank Abagnale Jr.’s autobiographical book of the same name, Catch Me If You Can revolves around the young conman, who becomes the most successful bank robber in the history of the U.S. before the age of 19.

Frank has done it all: he’s worked as a doctor, a lawyer, and as a co-pilot for a major airline. In a cunning game of cat and mouse, FBI Agent Carl Hanratty (played by Hanks) tries to bring Frank to justice, only for Frank to be one step ahead. It garnered an 8.1/10 rating on IMDb and a 96 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. And don’t even get me started on Hanks and DiCaprio being the ultimate on-screen duo.

9. ​Apollo 13

“Houston, we have a problem!” If you heard this iconic phrase before, I bet you didn’t know that it came from the 1995 docu-drama Apollo 13. Aside from its stellar ensemble cast, the film was also praised for its accurate retelling of the Apollo 13 lunar mission.

The year is 1970. A crew of three astronauts boarded a NASA spacecraft in hopes of landing on the moon. When an oxygen tank explodes during their mission, the crew must find a way to survive and make it safely back to Earth. Not only is it regarded as one of the best movies of all time, but it also received praise from critics, earning a 7.7/10 rating on IMDb and a 96 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.

10. Splash

Last but not least: Splash. Sure, the plot may be a bit cheesy. But it has everything that makes an '80s rom-com great. Strong chemistry? Check. Quirky humor? Oh, there’s a lot of that! Splash follows a man who's reunited with a mermaid that saved him from drowning 20 years ago.

Now, as an adult, he falls in love with the mermaid after she ventures onto dry land to find him. However, their perfect love story is cut short when a scheming scientist tries to expose her secret to the world. Now, I know what you’re thinking: This movie has a 6.3/10 rating on IMDb and it somehow received a 95 percent on Rotten Tomatoes (with an audience rating of 65 percent.) But Splash is an overall good time. If you’re looking for a chuckle or two, you’ll get it with Splash. (And can I just say that Tom Hanks is so charming and funny in this film?!)