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)

What is 'Survival of the Thickest' about?

What happens when you face the worst breakup ever? You cry and find a way to revamp your life, according to Mavis from Survival of the Thickest.

The series revolves around her getting acclimated with being single again while juggling her floundering stylist career. She's got a supportive village, but that doesn't mean she's not prone to making mistakes or facing situations worth cackling about outside of her group chat.

Where does filming take place?

The show is primarily filmed in New York, but parts of Season 2 take place in Italy (via IMDB)!

Who's a part of the cast?

Survival of the Thickest has a sprawling cast that features some new and familiar faces. According to Marie Claire, here are the main characters who've appeared in Seasons 1 and 2:

1. Michelle Buteau as Mavis Beaumont

Mavis Beaumont may have started off as a heartbroken stylist's assistant in Season 1 of Survival of the Thickest, but she's since gone on to build a name for herself in Season 2. She's also trying to figure out if she's going to stick with her new love interest Luca or go back to her familiar ex Jacque.

2. Taylor Selé as Jacque

3. Tasha Smith as Marley

Marley's one of Mavis' no-nonsense besties who applies the same tenacity to her career as a finance executive. Her inspirational quips may come across as 'funny,' but she doesn't lie when she encourages those around her to move in excellence.

4. Tone Bell as Khalil

Mavis is surrounded by even more love with the addition of the creative Khalil by her side. He has a softer approach than Marley, but he still wants the best for Mavis and has no problem helping redirect her when she's ready to throw pity parties. If only he could apply the same principles to his own love life...

5. Liza Treyger as Jade

6. Garcelle Beauvais as Natasha Karina

Garcelle Beauvais may have left The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, but you can watch her break necks and hurt feelings in Season 2 of Survival of the Thickest. She plays former '90s supermodel Natasha Karina who becomes Mavis' client after an initial period of misunderstandings.

7. Anthony Michael Lopez as Bruce

8. Marouane Zotti as Luca

Luca's all about Mavis and that's the I like it. Not only is he eye candy, but he's got enough passion stored in his body that makes me feel he's the obvious choice for our love-worn protagonist. However, only time will tell if Mavis thinks she and him are endgame or not.

9. Peppermint as Herself 

Survival of the Thickest is all about making sure all voices, storylines and identities are championed. Having Peppermint as another close friend of Mavis rounds out her supportive village because she's big on bringing her fun-loving energy wherever she goes. And when Peppermint takes a brief break from performing to get married, Mavis is right there rooting for her.

10. Alecsys Proctor-Turner as Nala

My, how the tables have turned! In Season 2 of Survival of the Thickest, Mavis gets her own assistant in the form of the fashion-obsessed Nala. Though she has moments where her naive nature shines through, she helps provide even more comedic relief and moments of clarity.

How many seasons does 'Survival of the Thickest' have?

Right now, Survival of the Thickest has two hilarious seasons that are on my weekend binge-watch list.

Season 1's Episodes 

1. Keep Your Plants Watered, Bitch.
2. Be a Bad Boss Bitch, Bitch!
3. You Did What in Public, Bitch?
4. Are You Crying, Bitch?
5. It's Any Given Sunday, Bitch!
6. Do the Right Thang, Bitch.
7. Let it Out, Bitch!
8. For a Bigger Purpose, Bitch.

Season 2's Episodes

1. When in Rome, Bitch!
2. Dreams Do Come True at Afropunk, Bitch.
3. You Can Heaux Your Own Way, Bitch.
4. Mind Ya Business, Bitch!
5. A Change Gon' Come, Bitch?
6. The Category is Love, Bitch.
7. You Best Come Correct, Bitch.
8. It's Not a Mo'Ment, It's A Movement, Bitch!

Where can I watch it?

You can watch Seasons 1 and 2 of Survival of the Thickest on Netflix. Unlike shows like Severanceor Paradise, you don't have to wait a full week to see a new episode!

Watch The Season 2 Trailer For 'Survival Of The Thickest' 

The bottom line is that Survival of the Thickest is a relatable comedy that'll have you laughing, crying, punching the air, and kicking your feet in delight. So, get your charcuterie board and wine together because you won't want to budge once press play.