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13 Unique Recipes You Didn’t Know You Needed—Try Them Now

Tired of making the same old recipes? These dishes bring something new to the table with unexpected flavors and fun twists. Whether it's a spicy noodle dish or a creamy curry, these are the recipes you didn’t know were missing from your lineup. They’re easy, satisfying, and anything but boring. Get ready to shake up your routine with these delicious finds.

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A bowl of stir-fried noodles with beef, carrots, red bell peppers, and greens. Hand using chopsticks to pick up noodles.
Instant Pot Pork Lo Mein. Photo credit: All The Noodles.

Teriyaki Salmon Noodles

Stir-fried noodles with vegetables and chunks of salmon in a skillet, with a fork lifting a portion.
Teriyaki Salmon Noodles. Photo credit: All The Noodles.

Tender salmon paired with chewy noodles and a sweet teriyaki glaze makes this dish a unique twist on your usual weeknight dinner. The flavors are simple but bold, and it’s a great way to change up your noodle game. Once you try it, you’ll wonder why you didn’t make it sooner.
Get the Recipe: Teriyaki Salmon Noodles

Creamy Gochujang Pasta

A pan of ramen noodles with mushrooms, greens, and a creamy sauce, served with chopsticks.
Creamy Gochujang Pasta. Photo credit: All The Noodles.

This pasta dish brings together creamy sauce with a spicy kick of gochujang. It’s an unexpected blend of Italian and Korean flavors that works surprisingly well. Perfect for when you want something different yet comforting for dinner.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Gochujang Pasta

Shrimp Yaki Udon Noodles

A bowl of shrimp lo mein with noodles, shrimp, and vegetables, topped with green onion slices. Chopsticks are placed on top of the dish. The bowl has a patterned design on the inside rim.
Shrimp Yaki Udon Noodles. Photo credit: All The Noodles.

Chewy udon noodles stir-fried with juicy shrimp and veggies create a dish that’s hard to resist. The savory sauce coats every bite, making it a unique dish to add to your weeknight lineup. It’s a quick fix that doesn’t skimp on flavor.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Yaki Udon Noodles

Scallion Noodles

A close-up of a pan filled with stir-fried noodles. A pair of chopsticks is lifting a portion of the noodles, which are mixed with small pieces of meat and green vegetables. The dish appears appetizing and is set on a woven mat.
Scallion Noodles. Photo credit: All The Noodles.

These noodles are tossed with crispy scallions, garlic, and a savory sauce that’s simple but packed with flavor. It’s a dish you didn’t know you needed until you try it. Perfect for when you want something light yet satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Scallion Noodles

Korean Ramen

A bowl of beef noodle soup with an egg and chopsticks.
Korean Ramen. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

This isn’t your typical ramen—think rich broth, spicy gochujang, and loads of fresh toppings. It’s a comforting bowl that’s perfect for when you need a little heat. Easy to make but full of complex flavors that keep you coming back for more.
Get the Recipe: Korean Ramen

Stir Fried Hokkien Noodles

Stir-fried noodles with shrimp and beef in a pan with chopsticks.
Stir Fried Hokkien Noodles. Photo credit: Eggs All Ways.

Thick Hokkien noodles stir-fried with a savory sauce, crisp veggies, and your choice of protein make this a must-try. It’s a quick way to add something new to your dinner rotation. The chewy texture and bold flavors are anything but ordinary.
Get the Recipe: Stir Fried Hokkien Noodles

Kung Pao Chicken Noodles

A skillet filled with stir-fried noodles and pieces of chicken being mixed with chopsticks.
Kung Pao Chicken Noodles. Photo credit: All The Noodles.

This dish takes classic kung pao chicken and mixes it with noodles for a hearty meal. The spicy, tangy sauce and crunchy peanuts make every bite exciting. It’s a fun twist on a takeout favorite that’s surprisingly easy to make at home.
Get the Recipe: Kung Pao Chicken Noodles

Pad See Ew with Chicken

A plate of stir-fried rice noodles with beef slices, broccoli, and green onions. The dish is garnished with thinly sliced scallions, creating a colorful and appetizing presentation.
Pad See Ew with Chicken. Photo credit: All The Noodles.

Wide rice noodles, tender chicken, and Chinese broccoli stir-fried in a sweet soy sauce bring a taste of Thailand to your table. It’s simple yet packed with deep, smoky flavors. A perfect dish to break out when you’re craving something new and flavorful.
Get the Recipe: Pad See Ew with Chicken

Spicy Dan Dan Noodles with Ground Pork

A fork lifts a tantalizing forkful of noodles mixed with sausage and vegetables from a black skillet. The dish appears to be creamy and richly seasoned, reminiscent of dan dan noodles, with visible bits of meat and greens intertwined with the noodles.
Spicy Dan Dan Noodles with Ground Pork. Photo credit: All The Noodles.

These noodles are coated in a spicy, savory sauce with ground pork that’s full of umami. The tingly heat from Sichuan peppercorns is something you won’t forget. It’s a unique dish that’ll keep you coming back for that bold flavor.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Dan Dan Noodles with Ground Pork

Instant Pot Pork Lo Mein

A bowl of stir-fried noodles with beef, carrots, red bell peppers, and greens. Hand using chopsticks to pick up noodles.
Instant Pot Pork Lo Mein. Photo credit: All The Noodles.

This lo mein is made even easier with the Instant Pot, delivering tender pork and perfectly cooked noodles in no time. The savory sauce soaks into the noodles, creating a dish that’s both simple and delicious. It’s a one-pot wonder you didn’t know you needed.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Pork Lo Mein

Dan Dan Noodles

A close-up of twirled dan dan noodles on a fork with herbs and bits of meat.
Dan Dan Noodles. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

A spicy, nutty sauce coats every strand of these noodles, with ground pork adding extra richness. The bold flavors make this dish a standout. It’s a must-try if you’re looking to spice up your noodle game.
Get the Recipe: Dan Dan Noodles

Coconut Curry Chicken Laksa

A bowl of spicy curry soup with chicken, noodles, chopped red chilies, and cilantro garnish, served on a textured white plate.
Coconut Curry Chicken Laksa. Photo credit: All The Noodles.

This rich, coconut-based noodle soup is loaded with chicken, spices, and a hint of lime. It’s a unique blend of sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors that you’ll crave once you’ve tried it. Perfect for when you need something warming yet vibrant.
Get the Recipe: Coconut Curry Chicken Laksa

Shrimp Yakisoba

Shrimp yakisoba on a plate.
Shrimp Yakisoba. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Stir-fried yakisoba noodles with shrimp and veggies tossed in a tangy sauce create a dish that’s easy but unforgettable. It’s the perfect way to add some variety to your weeknight dinners without much effort. Once you try it, you’ll wonder how you went without it.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Yakisoba

Founder, Writer, Recipe Developer at All The Noodles

Robin Donovan is an AP syndicated writer, recipe developer, food photographer, and author of more than 40 cookbooks including the bestsellers Ramen Obsession and Ramen for Beginners. Her work is featured by major media outlets including Huffington Post, MSN, Chicago Sun-Times, Orlando Sentinel, Buzzfeed, Cooking Light, Mercury News, Seattle Times, Pop Sugar, and many others. More about Robin

By on November 15th, 2024

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