Spicy Lettuce Noodles Recipe

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

• 6 ounces hearts of Romaine and/or Little Gem lettuce
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 shallot, thinly sliced
• 1/3 cup sliced green onions
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Asian fish sauce, or more to taste
• 2 teaspoons tamarind paste
• 1/2 teaspoon soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons Asian style ground chili sauce (such as Sambal Oelek)
• 2 teaspoons Sriracha hot sauce
• 4 ounces dry spaghetti
• Lime wedges (optional)
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro (optional)

Directions

1. Slice lettuce crosswise into 1-inch strips and transfer into a large bowl.
2. In a large skillet, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, add shallots, green onions, and garlic. Cook and stir for about 2 minutes, or until the shallots become translucent.
3. Add brown sugar, rice vinegar, fish sauce, tamarind paste, soy sauce, chili sauce, and Sriracha to the skillet. Stir to combine, and bring to a boil. Once the sauce starts to bubble, turn off the heat and set it aside.
4. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender but firm to the bite, about 11 minutes (or 30 seconds less than package directions).
5. Using tongs, transfer the cooked spaghetti into the skillet with the sauce. Stir for about 30 seconds to coat the noodles evenly.
6. Transfer the noodles and sauce to the bowl with the lettuce. Toss everything together for about 1 minute, or longer if you prefer the lettuce to be more wilted.
7. Serve with lime wedges, additional hot sauce, and freshly chopped cilantro, if desired.

Chef's Note

The balance of sweet, sour, spicy, and salty in this dish is up to your taste. You can add more fish sauce for a saltier and more intense flavor, but if you're new to Asian fish sauce, be cautious and start with a small amount. You can always add more later. The same goes for tamarind and the spicy ingredients.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

Calories	532
Total Fat	22g (28% Daily Value)
Saturated Fat	3g (17% Daily Value)
Cholesterol	0mg (0% Daily Value)
Sodium	1044mg (45% Daily Value)
Total Carbohydrate	75g (27% Daily Value)
Dietary Fiber	6g (21% Daily Value)
Total Sugars	25g
Protein	11g (22% Daily Value)
Vitamin C	15mg (17% Daily Value)
Calcium	101mg (8% Daily Value)
Iron	4mg (22% Daily Value)
Potassium	665mg (14% Daily Value)

Note: Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Please consult a dietitian if following a medically restrictive diet.

The Story Behind Spicy Lettuce Noodles

Spicy Lettuce Noodles, a unique fusion dish, traces its roots to modern Asian-inspired home cooking, where innovation meets tradition. Unlike classic noodle dishes, this recipe elevates simple vegetables with bold flavors and contrasting textures. The dish emerged as cooks experimented with combining fresh greens, noodles, and a balance of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy notes. While noodles have long been a staple in Asian cuisine, adding lettuceboth crisp and slightly bittercreates a refreshing counterpoint to the rich, savory sauces traditionally used in stir-fried recipes.

Regional Variations

Although Spicy Lettuce Noodles are widely enjoyed across Asia, regional adaptations highlight local ingredients and flavor preferences. In Southeast Asia, particularly Thailand and Vietnam, the use of fish sauce, tamarind, and chili paste gives the noodles a characteristic tangy-spicy profile. In contrast, East Asian interpretations might favor soy sauce and sesame oil for a subtler taste. Some home cooks in Malaysia or Singapore incorporate seafood or tofu, while others add fresh herbs like Thai basil or coriander to enhance aromatic complexity. The dishs adaptability makes it a canvas for local creativity.

Distinguishing Features Compared to Similar Dishes

Spicy Lettuce Noodles stand apart from traditional noodle dishes like Pad Thai or Chow Mein due to the prominent use of lettuce as a main textural element. While stir-fried noodles typically rely on cooked vegetables, this dish combines lightly wilted greens with tender noodles, creating a contrast rarely found in similar recipes. The sauce is also uniquely balanced, blending brown sugar, rice vinegar, tamarind, fish sauce, and chili for a multifaceted flavor profile. This combination sets it apart from simpler garlic or soy-based noodle dishes, offering both heat and a subtle bitterness from the lettuce.

Where Its Commonly Served

Spicy Lettuce Noodles are versatile enough to appear in both casual and refined settings. In Asia, you might find them at local street food markets, small eateries, or as part of a family-style dinner. Internationally, they are popular in fusion restaurants that emphasize fresh, healthy ingredients with bold flavors. Their lightness makes them suitable for lunch, dinner, or as a side dish accompanying grilled meats or seafood. Many home cooks also enjoy them as a quick, flavorful weeknight meal that requires minimal preparation.

Interesting Facts

One fascinating aspect of Spicy Lettuce Noodles is how they creatively use lettuce as a primary ingredient rather than a garnish or salad base. This approach not only adds crunch but also enhances the dishs visual appeal and nutritional value. The combination of tamarind and fish sauce, two umami-rich ingredients, provides depth that surprises those expecting a simple noodle dish. Additionally, this recipe illustrates a broader trend in modern cooking: reimagining traditional staples with fresh, unexpected elements to create something both comforting and innovative. Fun factchefs often experiment with different types of lettuce, like Little Gem or Romaine, to see how each variety influences texture and flavor.

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