I love the ease of cooking with ramen or rice noodles when you’re pressed for time but still want to make something healthy. They’re versatile and can be paired with almost anything—from meat to vegetables, and even lentils. Yes, lentils in ramen! Trust me, they taste fine. If you have no eggs, meat, or tofu, you can use lentils as a protein. I tried this years ago on a whim, and it worked. We liked the recipe, so it stayed with us. I even uploaded a video on my YouTube channel to show how simple it is.
Here’s how it happened: one night, in 2013, my daughter wanted noodles for dinner, so I thought I’d make them for us, too. But there was no meat, tofu, or eggs in the fridge. I didn’t want to make a trip to the store because, if I did, I’d miss my favourite TV show (Survivor).
Without wasting time thinking about what to get, I quickly decided to make noodles with whatever vegetables I had on hand. My husband and daughter like having some protein in their noodles, so I thought about adding lentils. I’d never tried lentils in noodles before, but I couldn’t think of anything better at the moment. The whole dish was done in under 30 minutes—just in time for the show. The lentils I used only took about 10 minutes to cook, while I stir-fried the vegetables and soaked the rice noodles. This time, I used gluten-free ramen.
2013 image made with rice noodles
My daughter wasn’t too thrilled about the idea of lentils in her noodles, but later she ate after adding some sauce in it. My husband really enjoyed it and appreciated that it was a great alternative to meat.
These days, with food prices rising, it’s important to get creative in the kitchen and think outside the box when it comes to using different ingredients in recipes. Sometimes, you don’t have to follow every recipe to a T. A little improvisation can lead to some delicious, unexpected results—just like with these lentil Ramen stir-fry! Its perfect lunch and dinner option for students living on a budget!
Ingredients
- 3 Gluten Free ramen blocks
- 1/2 cup green beans, cut into 1" pieces
- 1/2 cup frozen edamame ( or peas)
- 1 small carrot, cut into 1/ 8"slices
- 1/4 cup, thinly sliced red onion
- 1 tsp, chopped garlic
- 2 tbsp oil
- 1/2 cup split skinned mung daal
- 1 1/2 tbsp (+) tamari soya sauce
- 1 tbsp (+) sambal olek
- 3 tsp (+) rice vinegar
- *you can add ketchup or any other sauce that you like
Instructions
- Mix tamari, sambal olek and rice vinegar in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Wash and drain yellow mung.
- Place mung, water and salt in a saucepan and bring it to boil on medium heat
- In another pot boil 6 cups water for ramen.
- Let the lentils boil gently with a lid half on the pot for 8-10 minutes. Add edamame in the last three minutes.
- Immediately drain lentils in a colander and run cold water for 2-3 minutes to prevent cooking further.
- When water starts boiling add ramen blocks.
- When ramen noodles begin to unfold, separate gently with a fork and reduce heat to a low boil.
- Continue to cook for 3 minutes or until noodles are just soft.
- Strain through a colander and rinse with cold water.
- Heat oil in the same pot (in which you just boiled noodles). Stir fry onions, garlic, carrots and beans until tender and slightly crisp (add a splash of water if you need to soften a bit). Add the seasoning mixture to the vegetables. Give a quick stir.
- Add noodles, lentils and salt to taste (if needed). Mix well and serve. (I had some leftover mushrooms so added those on top).
Coffee and Crumpets
Ha…I didn’t have you down for a Survivor fan! I haven’t watched one episode of that show. I am not much for reality shows, I have enough reality in my life!
I’ve never added dal to noodles, but I don’t see why not? Noodle bowl looks great. I love your blue bowl.
Nazneen
Balvinder
My husband is not a survivor fan either. If I ask him to watch the show he has one answer, ” I have more interesting things to do than watch a group of people fighting for immunity idol”. Whatever… I like watching competitive game shows than actual sports.
Nazneen, Even I have never added lentils to noodles but I don’t know how the idea popped into my head. But it was good.
Liz
What a delicious., quick meal! I wish the hubby would eat lentils…I’m going to have to make 2 dinners one day soon so I can get my fill 🙂
Balvinder
We had no problem eating this dish, however my daughter clearly told me if I make this again he would not eat it. I may to make two dinners next time.
Malti Sharma
Super impressive! Did you really take the picture just before your TV show? Really, the recipe looks great- simple flavors but I bet it taste absolutely amazing together. You came up with an interesting creation 😉
I don’t get to watch much TV because there is always sports channel on but I have seen few episodes ,its good.
Balvinder
Why do all husbands watch sports? My husband and I watch our shows on separate TV. Thanks Malti for liking the dish, It was surprisingly tasty.
Sridevi Ravi
I have not thought of this combination of noodles and lentils. On the flip side, why not? Rice and lentils go so well. I have such similar situations when I want to cook without a trip to the grocery store.
Making dishes out of whatever is available needs real creativity. Good job! I have some rice noodles sitting in my pantry for a long time as I don’t appreciate its rubbery texture, so…planning to try this for a change.
Balvinder
Sri, there are variety of rice noodles but I never found them rubbery. The one you are talking about could be made from mung beans, I have got that, they give a rubbery mouth feel. Well, you are right lentils and rice go together very well and this was perfectly tasty and quick to make. Let me know if you end up trying it 🙂
cooking varieties
hi balvinder, how are you doing and hope you are fine. such a beautiliful pic, never tried this before,.
cooking varieties
hi balvinder, love this yummmy looking dish.. trying out of curiousity. thanks 🙂 i bookmarked this
Balvinder
Thank you Wan and do let me know if you ever try this one 😉
Vicki Bensinger
This sounds like a delicious, light and healthy meal. I like the addition of the sambas olek to add a bit of punch to the dish. Nice recipe!
Choc Chip Uru
Lentils and noodles is something I have never tried before but your photo looks too good to pass up 🙂
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Minnie@thelady8home
Noodles and lentils! Wah! Very innovative Balvinder, and it looks so cool too. I am not sure my hubby will appreciate it, but my younger son might, as loves anything that says ‘dal’ lol!
Balvinder
If your son can eat then I am sure your husband will love it, its mostly the kids who are fussy.
Juliana
Beautiful rice noodle dish Balvinder…looks so tempting with the split mung…
Enjoy the rest of your week 🙂
yummychunklet
What a tasty way to prepare lentils!
Nava Krishnan
This is a unique recipe but sure I will want to try out. Never made anything like this before. However I love noodles and am impressed with your recipe.
Balvinder
Thank you Nava, it was actually a very light and satisfying noodle dish I ever made.
anne
I love quick and easy dish ! That looks very appetizing 🙂 Haven’t tried lentils before but it looks really yummy in that dish ….
Blackswan
Noodles is certainly a wonderful quick-fix & adding these nutritious vegetables is a way to healthy living. Thumb-up!
Asmita
This looks amazing! I would love a big bowl of this for sure!
Soni
Love the idea of adding lentils to your noodles and the Sambal Olek too! Easy, delicious and healthy 🙂
Liz
A friend of mine makes homemade pot noodles by adding really thinly sliced veg and spices to vermicilli rice noodles and then pouring boiling water over them, cover and leave to sit for about 8-10minutes. I think they’d be lovely with a bit of tamari and sambal.
Amy Tong
What a great way to add protein in the noodles by adding lentils. I would have never thought of that! Genius. 🙂 Love this quick and easy meal. 🙂 Have a great weekend!
Jenn and Seth
what a great noodle dish!! so delicious and healthy!
Katerina
I have never paired lentils with noodles. Sounds like fun!
Balvinder
I totally agree.
Deepti
Wow, Lentils and noodles seems to be a interesting combination, would love to try this recipe soon.
Jen
I made this dish tonight and thought it was very good. I didn’t want to go to the store so I used frozen peas, garlic, baby spinach, and roasted red peppers as the vegetables. I also didn’t have sambal olek so I used sriracha. Thanks for the quick easy dinner recipe!