An Easy, Single-Serve garlic noodles recipe that comes together in 15 minutes. 

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top shot of garlic noodles served in a black plate

Updated to add: This post was originally published on August 3, 2011. It has been updated on May 25, 2026, with brand new photography, updated recipe and  printable recipe card.

 

I don’t know how people cook for one. The day I know V is not coming home for lunch, I don’t bother making anything and just heat a packet of Maggi noodles and leave it at that.

Ok, a thing about me. I adore maggi like anything. I have, in the past, kissed maggi packets to show how much I love them and have begged them to never leave me.

Ok that’s not true- I exaggerate!

Or maybe not!

The truth?

Keep guessing!

But, one thing is for definite- I looooove Maggi noodles!

I have had maggi piping hot, mildly hot, cold, and even raw and I have loved it every way! Maggi for me is comfort food at its best and those who haven’t tried it- you have my sympathies with you.

And, those who have tried and don’t like it- I don’t know what to say.

I don’t want to be rude but I don’t think I am too fond of you!

Hmm…..what about chocolate- how do you feel about that?

If you like that then maybe I would just consider your apathy to maggi as just one of your idiosyncrasies and live with that.

BUT in case, chocolate is a no-no too- then sorry, we can’t be friends. It just won’t happen. (Not that you care, but just letting you know.)

 

PB’s easy garlic noodles

Anyway, coming to the point, I hate cooking for one. And since, V has not been coming home for lunch these days, of course, I couldn’t be bothered to be in the kitchen cooking a meal for just myself. I had maggi a day or two, alternating with leftovers and other knickknacks. But, then the maggi finished and so did the leftovers and I was left with no choice but to cook.

Sigh!

I thought I’ll skip lunch altogether or just snack but I knew my tummy wouldn’t let me live with that! So, I thought of the next best thing to make- garlic noodles. And I knew of the perfect recipe to try.

Now I am not a big fan of Facebook- its all impersonal, yada yada… but sometimes its so great to eavesdrop on someone else’s conversation without having to comment on it or anyone knowing about it.

Unless, of course, you are like me and say it on your blog and then mention the name of the people whose conversation you eavesdropped on. There is no saving grace for you!

But, those who are more discreet than me would agree FB is great for such things!

This recipe is a result of such a case of eavesdropping.

Now, all of those who were shaking their heads when they heard eavesdrop and were like ‘tsk shumaila!’, would agree eavesdropping resulting in a great recipe can not harm anyone, can it?

So, I would like to thank my friend PB and the ASAPer whose status prompted PB to reply with such a great recipe and would like to extend my apologies for eavesdropping! Sorry guys- I only did it this one time (honest! 🙂 )!

Why You’ll Love This Quick 20-minute dinner

If you are craving a quick comfort bowl, this recipe checks every single box. Here is why it has been a staple in my kitchen for years:

  • It comes together in minutes: No elaborate prep work or hours spent over the stove. By the time your noodles are boiled, the sauce is practically done. It’s the ultimate lazy-day meal.

  • The perfect single-serve recipe: It is incredibly rare to find a noodle recipe that is perfectly portioned for one. You get a satisfying, comforting meal without dealing with a mountain of leftovers.

  • Effortless to scale up: Cooking for a date night or the whole family? You can easily double or triple the ingredients without messing up the cooking times or the flavor balance.

  • A true garlic lover’s dream: We aren’t shy with the garlic here. If you love that deep, pungent, savory kick, this recipe absolutely delivers.

  • Better than packaged instant noodles: Skip the processed flavor packets and hidden preservatives. This gives you that quick-fix noodle satisfaction using real, pantry-staple ingredients you can actually feel good about eating.

  • Incredibly versatile: While it is absolutely fantastic on its own, it’s also the perfect canvas for customization. On busy nights, just slide a crispy fried egg on top. If you have a few extra minutes, toss in some chicken to up the protein, or throw in a quick vegetable stir-fry to clear out the crisper drawer.

imagery from the original blog post that went live in August 2011

 

PB’s GARLIC NOODLES

Somebody (Louis Diat, to be precise)  said that there are five elements: earth, air, fire, water and garlic.

If you are one of those who are nodding their head in agreement to the above statement, you will love these noodles! They are screaming of garlic!

Warning: Your hands will smell like garlic after this, making it the perfect time to battle vampires!

Disclaimer: Any injury resulting from battling vampires because of my suggestion above is not my fault and will be your sole responsibility!

PB's garlic noodles
 
Prep time
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Easy 15 minute garlic noodles recipe. Perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Author:
Recipe type: quick, weeknight, dinner
Cuisine: Asian
Serves: 1
Ingredients
  • 1 tbsp peanut or vegetable oil (you can also use butter- it gives a silky buttery taste to the noodles)
  • 12 cloves (in case they are the fat ones then I used 7-8 cloves) of garlic, slivered or finely chopped (what do you expect- its garlic noodles!)
  • 1 tbsp corn flour
  • 250 ml chicken stock (or vegetable stock)
  • 1 packet (120-140 gms) noodles, boiled according to manufacturer's instructions and drained
Instructions
  1. In a wok, heat the oil. Sauté the garlic.
  2. Add the corn flour to a little of the chicken stock and make a paste.
  3. Add the chicken stock to the pan and then the corn flour paste and cook till the chicken stock thickens a bit.
  4. Add boiled noodles, salt & paprika. PB suggests to let it be on the liquidy side.
  5. Top with a little chilli crisp sauce and an egg! Or serve with some spicy chicken or vegetable gravy! You could also add a few drops of soy sauce. Garnish with spring onions.

 

12 Thoughts on “Easy Garlic Noodles

  1. Never too much garlic. The noodles look wonderful.

    Lisa~~
    Cook Lisa Cook

  2. These look great! I completely sympathise, my equivalent of your maggi lunches are microwaved potatoes with cheese (or butter, if my fridge is completely bare :P). I’m definitely going to try these to mix it up a bit next time I’m home for lunch!

  3. priyanka on 3 August, 2011 at 7:35 pm said:

    i don’t think that the ASAPer or PB would mind this 😛 you are amazing & your food looks gorgeous…keep going at it girl…you are doing a fabulous job!!! love…

  4. Hai Dear

    This looks yummy….you have a lovely blog… You have so many wonderful recipes..I have bookmarked you blog and some recipe from that to try..Please check out my blog.I am having a Giveaway in my blog..Please check it out and partcipate in that..
    http://yummytummy-aarthi.blogspot.com/2011/07/homemade-bounty-chocolate-and-giveaway.html

    Aarthi

  5. I have to agree…there is no such thing as too much garlic. It becomes quite mild, really, when you saute it. I like mine crispy, like roasted nuts. To get the garlic smell off my hands, I use a trick I learned from Martha Stewart, which is to wash your hands with a piece of stainless steel, like a spoon. It really works!

  6. Apramey Dube on 4 August, 2011 at 1:04 am said:

    Wow Shumaila, the recipe looks delicious, I would certainly try it! 🙂 And I live and breathe chocolate and Maggi, also candies 🙂

    Cheers,
    Apramey

  7. Sapna Singh on 4 August, 2011 at 5:20 am said:

    All your blogs are deliciously engaging….i really liked the humour and heart that you have put in them….Good Work!
    I believed cooking is as good as meditation…looks like you proved it right 🙂

  8. Wow that sounds good. Love garlic 😀

  9. After a decade and a half of being friends, you’re telling me it’s possible you may not want to be friends with me??? I’m seriously worried, well knowing that you could love food more than me! 🙁

    • Well, you recently posted that you ate a jar full of chocolate chip cookies by yourself- proof that your proclaimed “hatred” for chocolate isn’t completely true and that’s why I still want to be friends with you- you know, like how the pretty girls take on the geek and make her the most popular girl in school 😛 !!

      And seriously you hate maggi????????

  10. But I also wrote that it was extremely uncharacteristic and strange for me to do that. All right, all right, I don’t hate chocolate!! And I don’t ‘hate’ Maggi either.
    And look who’s calling who the geek! :p

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