I’m so excited to share with you this incredibly hearty and downright addictive Taiwanese Noodles with Meat Sauce Recipe. We like to call it Taiwanese spaghetti, and it feels like a meal you’d find at a Taiwanese street food stall. And the best part? It’s super quick to whip up, making it an ideal choice for those busy weeknights when you crave something satisfying yet easy. Whether you choose to serve it over traditional Taiwanese noodles or rice (a great substitute if you’re in the mood), this recipe is going to be a hit. I’ll give you step-by-step instructions, so you can recreate this delicious meal in your own kitchen with ease.

meat sauce recipe on noodles

Why this Noodles with Meat Sauce Recipe Works

  • “Taiwanese Spaghetti” That’s Just Too Good: A hearty, addictive meat sauce that’s so flavorful, it’ll have you coming back for seconds (or maybe thirds!). It’s like the Taiwanese answer to classic spaghetti, and it’s an absolute hit, especially with the kids. They’ll love calling it ‘Taiwanese Spaghetti’!
  • In the Blink of an Eye: You know those recipes that take forever to cook? Well, this isn’t one of them. We’re talking 15 minutes, start to finish. It’s a real lifesaver on those hectic evenings when you’re short on time but still want a home-cooked meal.
  • Wallet-Friendly and Filling: Looking for a delicious meal that won’t break the bank? This recipe is your new best friend. It’s perfect for those weeknights when you want something satisfying but don’t want to spend a lot.
  • Mix It Up Your Way: Whether you’re a fan of sesame noodles, Taiwanese cold noodles, wheat noodles, or just love fresh noodles, this meat sauce goes well with them all. Got some rice vermicelli? They’re perfect too. Heck, next time you could even try making your own noodles for an extra special touch.
  • Versatility at Its Best: The beauty of this recipe lies in its flexibility. It’s a great base for trying out new recipes or adding your own twist. Don’t be afraid to experiment and make it your own – that’s the best part of the cooking process, after all!

Ingredients 

  • Noodles or rice
  • Chicken broth
  • Dark soy sauce (or oyster sauce), light soy sauce, Chinese black vinegar (or balsamic vinegar)
  • Chinese five spice powder
  • Brown sugar
  • Cooking oil
  • Ground pork
  • Minced garlic cloves
  • Bamboo shoots, shiitake mushrooms, green onions

How to Make this Noodles with Meat Sauce Recipe

  1.  Cook the noodles or rice according to package instructions. Drain.
  2.  In a small bowl, combine the chicken broth, dark soy sauce, regular soy sauce, vinegar, five spice powder and brown sugar. Set aside.
  3.  Heat a wok over medium-high heat. When hot, swirl in the cooking oil. Add in the onion and cook for 1 minute. Stir in the ground meat and cook for 2 minutes. Push aside the onion and ground beef to one side of the wok to create a small spot to fry the garlic. Add in the garlic and stir fry for a few seconds or until you begin smelling the garlic. Add in the bamboo shoots and mushrooms. Toss everything in the wok together.
  4.  Pour in the broth/soy sauce mixture and bring to a simmer. Cook for 2 minutes. Stir in the green onions. Serve the ground beef mixture over the noodles or rice.

Taiwanese Spaghetti!

Despite having an embarrassing amount of cookbooks on my shelves, my family’s favorite recipes are the ones I’ve riffed on from my Mom’s cooking. Earlier this summer, when we took a little vacation to visit parents, Mom made a Taiwanese noodle dish with a hearty meat sauce. To “sell” it to my kids, she called  it, “Taiwanese Spaghetti.” Though, in all honesty, meat + noodles need no selling to my kids, they’ll happily eat without reservation.

An Easy Meat Sauce Recipe

Taiwanese meat sauce is something nearly every Taiwanese mama cooks in weekly rotation, and it’s served over rice or noodles. It’s traditionally made with ground pork, Chinese black mushrooms and lots of shallots. The seasonings include warm Chinese five-spice powder, both dark and light soy sauce, black vinegar and a touch of brown sugar.

To make an easy version with everyday ingredients from the local supermarket, I’ve made a few substitutions.

Your Taiwanese Noodles & Meat Sauce Questions Answered

Q: Can You freeze this Meat Sauce recipe?
A: Absolutely! Meat sauce freezes exceptionally well, making it perfect for meal prepping. Just ladle the sauce into rigid freezer-safe containers. For the best quality, try to use it within about four months.

Q: Is it possible to add some greens like bok choy to this dish?
A: Yes, bok choy is a great addition! You can either stir fry it and add it to the sauce, or serve it on the side for a balanced meal. It’s a simple way to add some greens, especially if it’s your first time experimenting with this recipe.

Q: Can I use sesame seeds or sesame sauce for a twist in flavor?
A: Definitely! Sprinkling sesame seeds on top before serving or incorporating a bit of sesame sauce into the meat sauce can add a delightful nutty flavor. It’s a small addition that can make a big difference in taste.

Q: What if I don’t have Taiwanese noodles? Are there alternatives?
A: Sure! While Taiwanese noodles are traditional, you can use any noodles you have on hand, such as spaghetti, linguine, or even rice noodles. Each will bring a unique texture and flavor to the dish.

How to Cook Taiwanese Noodles with Meat Sauce (video)

Short 2 minute video on how to make this recipe.

Top Tips for this Noodles with Meat Sauce Recipe

  • If you can’t get Chinese black vinegar, you can use young balsamic vinegar.
  • You can use ground beef, pork or chicken, they all work great!
  • You can serve it over noodles or rice.
  • To make it spicy, add Spicy Chili Oil to the noodles.

 

bowl of noodles and meat sauce

Check Out these Other Noodle Recipes

Have you tried this Meat Sauce recipe? Feel free to leave a star rating and I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!

Taiwanese Noodles with Meat Sauce Recipe (Taiwanese Spaghetti)

Jaden Hair
This Hearty and addictive Meat Sauce Recipe can be serve over Taiwanese noodles or rice. We call it Taiwanese spaghetti! Quick to make and perfect for busy weeknights.

4.41 from 5 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Asian
Servings 4 servings
Calories 822 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound noodles or rice of your choice
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons dark soy sauce or oyster sauce
  • 2 teaspoon light regular soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Chinese black vinegar or young balsamic vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons cooking oil
  • 1/2 onion chopped
  • 1 pound ground pork or ground beef/chicken/turkey
  • 2 cloves garlic finely minced
  • 8 ounce can bamboo shoots drained and diced
  • 4 ounces fresh shiitake mushrooms diced
  • 1 stalk green onion chopped

Instructions
 

  • Cook the noodles or rice according to package instructions. Drain.
  • In a small bowl, combine the chicken broth, dark soy sauce, regular soy sauce, vinegar, five spice powder and brown sugar. Set aside.
  • Heat a wok over medium-high heat. When hot, swirl in the cooking oil. Add in the onion and cook for 1 minute. Stir in the ground meat and cook for 2 minutes. Push aside the onion and ground beef to one side of the wok to create a small spot to fry the garlic. Add in the garlic and stir fry for a few seconds or until you begin smelling the garlic. Add in the bamboo shoots and mushrooms. Toss everything in the wok together.
  • Pour in the broth/soy sauce mixture and bring to a simmer. Cook for 2 minutes. Stir in the green onions. Serve the ground beef mixture over the noodles or rice.

Nutrition

Calories: 822kcalCarbohydrates: 102gProtein: 36gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 82mgSodium: 349mgPotassium: 753mgFiber: 6gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 30IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 53mgIron: 3mg
Keyword meat sauce, spaghetti, taiwanese noodles
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!