Potsticker Noodle Bowls (Printable)

Tender rice noodles with browned pork, crisp vegetables, and savory potsticker-style sauce finished with fresh herbs and sesame seeds.

# Required Ingredients:

→ Noodles

01 - 8 oz dried rice noodles or lo mein noodles

→ Meat

02 - 1 lb ground pork or chicken

→ Meat Seasoning

03 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce
04 - 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
05 - 1 teaspoon cornstarch
06 - 1/4 teaspoon white pepper or finely ground black pepper
07 - 1/2 teaspoon sugar
08 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
09 - 1 tablespoon finely minced napa cabbage, squeezed dry (optional)

→ Vegetables and Aromatics

10 - 2 tablespoons neutral oil, divided
11 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
12 - 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, finely grated
13 - 4 green onions, thinly sliced
14 - 2 cups finely shredded green cabbage
15 - 1 cup shredded carrots
16 - 1 cup sliced shiitake or cremini mushrooms
17 - 1 cup bean sprouts (optional)

→ Potsticker-Style Sauce

18 - 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
19 - 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
20 - 1 tablespoon oyster sauce or hoisin sauce
21 - 1 tablespoon chili-garlic sauce or sambal oelek
22 - 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
23 - 1 tablespoon brown sugar or honey
24 - 1/2 cup chicken broth or water

→ Garnish and Serving

25 - 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves, roughly chopped
26 - 2 teaspoons toasted sesame seeds
27 - Lime wedges

# Directions:

01 - Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add noodles and cook according to package instructions until just tender, approximately 4 to 6 minutes for rice noodles or 6 to 8 minutes for wheat noodles. Drain and rinse briefly with cold water. Toss with a few drops of sesame or neutral oil to prevent sticking and set aside.
02 - In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, sesame oil, cornstarch, white pepper, sugar, and salt. Place ground pork or chicken in a medium bowl. Pour seasoning over the meat and gently mix until just combined and slightly sticky. Fold in finely minced napa cabbage if using and set aside to marinate.
03 - In a bowl, combine soy sauce, rice vinegar, oyster or hoisin sauce, chili-garlic sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar or honey, and chicken broth or water. Whisk until sugar dissolves completely. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired.
04 - Shred cabbage and carrots, slice mushrooms, and thinly slice green onions keeping whites and greens separate. Rinse and drain bean sprouts if using. Chop cilantro for garnish.
05 - Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large nonstick skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Crumble in the seasoned meat in an even layer. Cook undisturbed for 2 to 3 minutes to develop browned, crisp edges, then break up and continue cooking for 3 to 4 minutes until golden and cooked through. Spoon off excess fat if needed, leaving approximately 1 to 2 teaspoons in the pan.
06 - Push meat to one side. Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the open space, then add garlic, ginger, and white parts of the green onions. Stir for 30 to 60 seconds until fragrant. Mix thoroughly into the meat.
07 - Add mushrooms and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until softened. Add shredded cabbage and carrots and stir-fry for 3 to 4 minutes until cabbage is wilted but still crisp. Add a splash of water if the pan is dry.
08 - Pour the prepared sauce over the meat and vegetables. Toss well to coat evenly and simmer for 1 to 2 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
09 - Add cooked noodles to the skillet or wok. Toss gently but thoroughly to combine. If too dry, add 2 to 4 tablespoons water or broth. Add bean sprouts in the last minute of tossing if using.
10 - Taste and adjust seasoning with extra soy sauce, chili-garlic sauce, or lime juice. Stir in half of the green onion tops and turn off heat. Divide between serving bowls and garnish with remaining green onions, cilantro, and toasted sesame seeds. Serve with extra chili-garlic sauce and lime wedges.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It delivers every flavor you love in a potsticker, but comes together in one pan with zero folding or pleating required.
  • The browned, caramelized pork gives you those crispy, savory edges that make dumplings irresistible.
  • Fresh ginger, garlic, and a tangy soy-vinegar sauce make every bite bright and satisfying.
  • You can customize the vegetables based on what's in your fridge, making it a flexible weeknight win.
02 -
  • Don't stir the pork right away, let it sit undisturbed in the hot pan for a few minutes to develop those crispy, caramelized edges that make this dish taste like a dumpling.
  • Rinse the noodles after cooking to stop them from overcooking and sticking together, it makes a huge difference in the final texture.
  • Taste the sauce before adding it to the pan, you want a balance of salty, sweet, tangy, and spicy that makes you want to keep eating.
03 -
  • Use a large skillet or wok so everything has room to sear and caramelize instead of steaming in its own moisture.
  • If you want more heat, add a drizzle of chili oil or a pinch of red pepper flakes when you toss the noodles.
  • Prep all your vegetables and aromatics before you start cooking, stir-frying moves fast and you don't want to scramble mid-recipe.
  • For a gluten-free version, use tamari, gluten-free oyster sauce, and rice noodles, and double-check all labels.
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