Spicy-Sweet Sambal Pork Noodles

ramen spaghetti pasta olive oil ground pork ginger garlic sugar tomato paste basil chili sambal oelek soy sauce rice vinegar butter

Chris Morocco

6–8 servings

Source

Ingredients

2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

2 lb. ground pork, divided

1 2" piece fresh ginger, peeled, cut into thin matchsticks or finely chopped

8 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

2 Tbsp. sugar

2 Tbsp. tomato paste

2 sprigs basil, plus more for serving

⅓ cup hot chili paste (such as sambal oelek)

¼ cup soy sauce

¼ cup unseasoned rice vinegar

1½ lb. fresh ramen noodles or 16 oz. dried spaghetti

Kosher salt

2 Tbsp. unsalted butter

Method

Heat oil in a large wide heavy pot over medium-high. Add half of pork to pot, breaking apart into 6–8 large chunks with a wooden spoon. Cook, undisturbed, until well browned underneath, about 5 minutes. Turn pieces and continue to cook, turning occasionally, until pork is browned on 2–3 sides, about 5 minutes longer. Add ginger, garlic, sugar, and remaining pork to pot and cook, breaking up pork into small clumps, until meat is nearly cooked through, about 5 minutes longer. Add tomato paste and 2 basil sprigs. Cook, stirring occasionally, until paste darkens, about 2 minutes. Add chili paste, soy sauce, vinegar, and 2 cups water. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to low, and cook, uncovered and stirring occasionally, until sauce is slightly thickened and flavors have melded, 30–45 minutes.

Cook noodles in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until 1 minute short of al dente. Add to pot with sauce along with butter and a splash of pasta cooking liquid. Simmer, tossing occasionally, until sauce begins to cling to noodles, about 1 minute. Pluck out basil sprigs.

Divide noodles among plates. Top with torn basil.