Sweet and Spicy Pork & Napa Cabbage Stir Fry with Spicy Noodles: A Flavor Explosion!

Are you craving a dish that’s both comforting and exciting? Something that hits all the right notes – sweet, savory, spicy, and umami? Look no further! This Sweet and Spicy Pork & Napa Cabbage Stir Fry with Spicy Noodles is exactly what you need. It’s a relatively quick and easy weeknight meal that’s packed with flavor and texture, guaranteed to satisfy your taste buds and leave you wanting more.

This recipe combines tender, juicy pork with the crisp sweetness of Napa cabbage, all bathed in a luscious sweet and spicy sauce. The addition of spicy noodles elevates the dish to a complete and satisfying meal. It’s a fantastic way to use up leftover pork (or an excuse to cook some!), and Napa cabbage is a powerhouse of nutrients, making this not only delicious but also good for you.

Let’s dive into the details of this incredible dish!

## Why You’ll Love This Recipe

* **Flavor Bomb:** The combination of sweet, spicy, savory, and umami flavors is simply irresistible.
* **Quick & Easy:** This dish comes together in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
* **Versatile:** You can easily customize the recipe to your liking by adding different vegetables, adjusting the spice level, or using different types of protein.
* **Healthy & Delicious:** Napa cabbage is packed with vitamins and minerals, and the lean pork provides a good source of protein.
* **Perfect for Meal Prep:** The stir fry can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for a quick and easy lunch or dinner.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

### For the Pork Marinade:

* 1 pound pork tenderloin or pork shoulder, thinly sliced against the grain
* 2 tablespoons soy sauce
* 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
* 1 tablespoon cornstarch
* 1 teaspoon ginger, minced
* 1 clove garlic, minced
* 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
* Pinch of white pepper

### For the Stir Fry:

* 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
* 1/2 medium onion, thinly sliced
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 inch ginger, minced
* 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
* 1/2 head of Napa cabbage, roughly chopped
* 2 green onions, thinly sliced, for garnish
* Sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)

### For the Sweet & Spicy Sauce:

* 3 tablespoons soy sauce
* 2 tablespoons gochujang (Korean chili paste), adjust to taste
* 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
* 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
* 1 teaspoon sesame oil
* 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for extra heat)

### For the Spicy Noodles:

* 8 ounces dried noodles (spaghetti, udon, ramen, or your favorite)
* 1 tablespoon sesame oil
* 1 tablespoon gochujang (Korean chili paste), adjust to taste
* 1 tablespoon soy sauce
* 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
* 1/2 teaspoon sugar
* 1 clove garlic, minced
* 1 green onion, thinly sliced

## Step-by-Step Instructions

### Step 1: Marinate the Pork

1. In a medium bowl, combine the sliced pork, soy sauce, rice vinegar, cornstarch, ginger, garlic, sesame oil, and white pepper.
2. Mix well, ensuring the pork is evenly coated. This helps tenderize the pork and infuse it with flavor.
3. Let the pork marinate for at least 15 minutes, or up to 30 minutes in the refrigerator. The longer it marinates, the more flavorful it will be.

### Step 2: Prepare the Sweet & Spicy Sauce

1. In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, gochujang, honey (or maple syrup), rice vinegar, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes (if using).
2. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. You can add more gochujang for more spice, honey for more sweetness, or soy sauce for more saltiness.
3. Set aside.

### Step 3: Cook the Noodles

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the noodles and cook according to package directions until al dente.
2. Drain the noodles and rinse them under cold water to stop the cooking process.
3. In a bowl, toss the cooked noodles with 1 tablespoon of sesame oil. This prevents them from sticking together.

### Step 4: Make the Spicy Noodle Sauce

1. In a separate bowl, combine 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 1 tablespoon gochujang (adjust to taste), 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 teaspoon rice vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon sugar, and 1 minced garlic clove.
2. Mix well. Taste and adjust according to your preference.

### Step 5: Stir Fry the Pork and Vegetables

1. Heat a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil.
2. Once the oil is hot, add the marinated pork and stir fry until it is cooked through and slightly browned. This should take about 3-5 minutes.
3. Remove the pork from the wok and set aside.
4. Add the onion, garlic, and ginger to the wok and stir fry for 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.
5. Add the red bell pepper and stir fry for another 2-3 minutes, until slightly softened.
6. Add the Napa cabbage and stir fry for 3-5 minutes, until it is tender-crisp. Be careful not to overcook the cabbage, as it can become mushy.

### Step 6: Combine Everything

1. Return the cooked pork to the wok.
2. Pour the sweet and spicy sauce over the pork and vegetables.
3. Stir everything together to coat evenly.
4. Cook for another 1-2 minutes, until the sauce has thickened slightly.

### Step 7: Toss Noodles in Spicy Sauce

1. Pour the prepared spicy noodle sauce over the sesame oil coated noodles.
2. Toss well until noodles are completely coated.

### Step 8: Serve & Garnish

1. Serve the sweet and spicy pork and Napa cabbage stir fry over a bed of spicy noodles.
2. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds (optional).
3. Serve immediately and enjoy!

## Tips and Variations

* **Protein:** You can substitute the pork with chicken, beef, tofu, or shrimp. Adjust the cooking time accordingly.
* **Vegetables:** Feel free to add other vegetables such as broccoli, carrots, mushrooms, snow peas, or bok choy.
* **Spice Level:** Adjust the amount of gochujang and red pepper flakes to your liking. If you’re not a fan of spice, you can omit them altogether.
* **Sweetness:** Adjust the amount of honey or maple syrup to your liking.
* **Noodles:** You can use any type of noodles you prefer, such as egg noodles, rice noodles, or even zucchini noodles for a lower-carb option.
* **Make it Gluten-Free:** Use tamari instead of soy sauce and ensure your gochujang is gluten-free.
* **Add a Crunchy Element:** Top the stir fry with crushed peanuts or cashews for added texture.
* **Ginger and Garlic:** Use fresh ginger and garlic for the best flavor. Pre-minced versions are convenient, but the flavor won’t be quite as vibrant.
* **Don’t Overcrowd the Wok:** If you’re making a large batch, cook the ingredients in batches to avoid overcrowding the wok. Overcrowding can lower the temperature and result in steamed instead of stir-fried food.

## Serving Suggestions

* **As a Main Course:** This dish is perfect as a complete and satisfying main course.
* **With Rice:** Serve it with a side of steamed rice for a more traditional Asian-inspired meal. Jasmine or basmati rice works well.
* **As Leftovers:** This stir fry is also delicious as leftovers. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
* **As a Lunch Bowl:** Pack it in a lunch bowl for a flavorful and satisfying midday meal.

## Storage Instructions

* **Refrigerate:** Store leftover stir fry in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
* **Reheat:** Reheat the stir fry in a wok or skillet over medium heat, or in the microwave. Add a splash of water or broth if needed to prevent it from drying out.
* **Freezing:** While it’s best enjoyed fresh, you can freeze the stir fry for up to 2 months. Allow it to cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

**Q: Can I use frozen vegetables in this recipe?**
A: Yes, you can use frozen vegetables. However, they may release more water than fresh vegetables, so you may need to cook them for a longer time to evaporate the excess moisture.

**Q: Can I make this recipe ahead of time?**
A: Yes, you can prepare the pork marinade, sweet and spicy sauce, and spicy noodle sauce ahead of time. You can also chop the vegetables in advance. Store everything in separate containers in the refrigerator until ready to use.

**Q: What if I don’t have gochujang?**
A: If you don’t have gochujang, you can substitute it with sriracha or another chili paste. However, the flavor will be slightly different.

**Q: How can I make this recipe less spicy?**
A: Reduce the amount of gochujang and red pepper flakes, or omit them altogether. You can also add a touch of honey or maple syrup to balance out the spiciness.

**Q: What type of noodles are best for this recipe?**
A: Any type of noodles will work, but I recommend using thicker noodles such as udon or ramen noodles. Spaghetti noodles also work well.

## Sweet and Spicy Pork & Napa Cabbage Stir Fry Recipe Card

**Yields:** 4 servings
**Prep time:** 15 minutes
**Cook time:** 15 minutes

**Ingredients:**

*Pork Marinade:*
* 1 pound pork tenderloin or pork shoulder, thinly sliced
* 2 tablespoons soy sauce
* 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
* 1 tablespoon cornstarch
* 1 teaspoon ginger, minced
* 1 clove garlic, minced
* 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
* Pinch of white pepper

*Stir Fry:*
* 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
* 1/2 medium onion, thinly sliced
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 inch ginger, minced
* 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
* 1/2 head of Napa cabbage, roughly chopped
* 2 green onions, thinly sliced, for garnish
* Sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)

*Sweet & Spicy Sauce:*
* 3 tablespoons soy sauce
* 2 tablespoons gochujang (Korean chili paste), adjust to taste
* 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
* 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
* 1 teaspoon sesame oil
* 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

*Spicy Noodles:*
* 8 ounces dried noodles (spaghetti, udon, ramen, or your favorite)
* 1 tablespoon sesame oil
* 1 tablespoon gochujang (Korean chili paste), adjust to taste
* 1 tablespoon soy sauce
* 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
* 1/2 teaspoon sugar
* 1 clove garlic, minced
* 1 green onion, thinly sliced

**Instructions:**

1. **Marinate the Pork:** In a medium bowl, combine the sliced pork, soy sauce, rice vinegar, cornstarch, ginger, garlic, sesame oil, and white pepper. Mix well and marinate for at least 15 minutes.
2. **Prepare the Sweet & Spicy Sauce:** In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, gochujang, honey (or maple syrup), rice vinegar, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes (if using). Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
3. **Cook the Noodles:** Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the noodles and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water. Toss with 1 tablespoon of sesame oil.
4. **Make the Spicy Noodle Sauce:** In a separate bowl, combine 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 1 tablespoon gochujang (adjust to taste), 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 teaspoon rice vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon sugar, and 1 minced garlic clove. Mix well and adjust according to your preference.
5. **Stir Fry the Pork and Vegetables:** Heat a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil. Add the marinated pork and stir fry until cooked through and slightly browned. Remove the pork from the wok and set aside. Add the onion, garlic, and ginger to the wok and stir fry for 1-2 minutes. Add the red bell pepper and stir fry for another 2-3 minutes. Add the Napa cabbage and stir fry for 3-5 minutes, until tender-crisp.
6. **Combine Everything:** Return the cooked pork to the wok. Pour the sweet and spicy sauce over the pork and vegetables. Stir everything together to coat evenly. Cook for another 1-2 minutes, until the sauce has thickened slightly.
7. **Toss Noodles in Spicy Sauce:** Pour the prepared spicy noodle sauce over the sesame oil coated noodles. Toss well until noodles are completely coated.
8. **Serve & Garnish:** Serve the sweet and spicy pork and Napa cabbage stir fry over a bed of spicy noodles. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds (optional). Serve immediately.

## Final Thoughts

This Sweet and Spicy Pork & Napa Cabbage Stir Fry with Spicy Noodles is a flavor-packed dish that’s perfect for any occasion. It’s easy to make, customizable, and sure to impress your family and friends. So, gather your ingredients, fire up your wok, and get ready for a culinary adventure!

Enjoy!