San Francisco garlic noodles are a rich, buttery, garlicky noodle dish popularized by Vietnamese-American restaurants in the Bay Area. The dish is known for its deep umami flavor, glossy sauce, and simple ingredients.
These noodles are often served with crab, shrimp, roasted seafood, or grilled meats, but they are also delicious on their own.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces spaghetti, egg noodles, or thick noodles
- 5 tablespoons butter
- 8 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon fish sauce
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Black pepper to taste
- Green onions, optional
How to Make San Francisco Garlic Noodles
Step 1: Cook the Noodles — Cook noodles until al dente. Reserve some noodle water, then drain.
Step 2: Mix the Sauce — In a small bowl, combine oyster sauce, soy sauce, fish sauce, and sugar.
Step 3: Cook the Garlic — Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add garlic and cook until fragrant but not browned.
Step 4: Toss the Noodles — Add cooked noodles to the skillet and toss with garlic butter.
Step 5: Add Sauce — Pour in the sauce mixture and toss until noodles are coated.
Step 6: Add Parmesan — Turn off the heat and add Parmesan cheese. Toss until glossy and smooth.
Step 7: Serve — Finish with black pepper and green onions if desired.
What to Serve With Garlic Noodles
- Garlic butter shrimp
- Crab
- Grilled chicken
- Roasted salmon
- Steak
- Stir-fried vegetables
- Fried egg
Tips
- Cook garlic gently to avoid bitterness.
- Use Parmesan for richness.
- Add noodle water if the sauce becomes too thick.
- Use fish sauce sparingly because it is salty.
- Serve immediately.
San Francisco garlic noodles are buttery, savory, and full of garlic flavor. They are easy to make at home and pair beautifully with seafood, chicken, or vegetables.