Hands up if you’ve binge-watched the new Netflix show The Hunger like I have! and are now craving allll the delicious foods featured on the show? And, Wondering where do I find mouthwatering bowl of Cry Baby Noodles Recipe? – like omg I need that in my life ASAP!

I don’t know about you, but I could NOT stop salivating over the insane amount of drool-worthy food featured on this program. My stomach was grumbling the entire time!

But there was one dish that really stood out and had me absolutely mesmerized – the mysteriously named Cry Baby Noodles. Oh. My. The way the two rival chefs described its lip-tingling, face-melting, brings-you-to-tears spiciness had me so curious. And then seeing the beautiful heaping bowl of chewy noodles coated in that umami chili garlic sauce…I needed to try it ASAP!

Unfortunately Cry Baby Noodles are an original fictional creation just for the show. But after watching that episode, I was determined to recreate my own homemade version to satisfy my craving!

It took quite a few super spicy test rounds and lots of crying, sweating, and gulping ice water lol. But eventually I cracked the code on developing a lip-smacking Cry Baby Noodles recipe inspired by the show that I’m thrilled to share here with you all.

Fair warning – this is NOT a dish for the faint of heart or spice sensitive. We are talking some serious face-punching, sweat-inducing heat. But if you consider yourself a bit of a masochistic chili head and want the full lip-tingling Cry Baby Noodles experience, then grab some tissues and let’s get cooking!

In this post, I’ll breakdown my homemade version of Cry Baby Noodles including:

• The Ingredients You’ll Need
• Step-By-Step Instructions on How to Make It
• Tips for Customizing the Spice Level
• Serving Suggestions and Pairings
• Cooling Accompaniments to Tame the Burn

Let’s dive in and make this tantalizing viral dish from Netflix’s The Hunger that will have you reaching for milk, ice cream, and anything cold to stop the burning! Ready, set…cry? Lol let’s do this – hope you’re hungry!

My Homemade Cry Baby Noodles Recipe Based on The Hunger

Let’s start with the disclaimer that this recipe is absolutely not for the faint of heart or those who can’t handle serious fiery heat. The chefs on the show weren’t kidding around – these noodles will set your mouth ablaze!

The spicy burn is intense. It creeps up on you at first, then explodes into pure fire. You’ll be sweating, panting, chugging water just to make it through the bowl like the contestants on the show lol. So brace yourself and proceed with caution!

Now that I’ve scared you sufficiently, here’s what you’ll need to recreate Cry Baby Noodles for 2 brave and somewhat masochistic portions:

Cry Baby Noodles from Netflix’s The Hunger – A Painfully Addictive Spicy Garlic Noodle Dish

Recipe by radiantnourishCourse: DinnerCuisine: Asian FusionDifficulty: Medium

Servings

2

servings

Prep time

15

minutes

Cooking time

10

minutes

Calories

530

kcal

Cooking MethodStovetop

Best SeasonWinter

Total time

25

minutes

Here’s what you’ll need to make enough noodles for 2 masochistic portions:

The Ingredients For Cry Baby Noodles

• For the Noodles:

• 1 lb fresh Chinese noodles or ramen noodles

• 1 tsp toasted sesame oil

• Soy sauce or tamari to taste

• For the Lip-Blistering Spicy Garlic Sauce:

• 12 cloves garlic, minced (or more if you realllyyy like garlic)

• 1/4 cup chili garlic paste or sambal oelek

• 3 tbsp red chili flakes (or less if you’re spice-averse)

• 1/4 cup rice wine vinegar

• 2 tbsp soy sauce or tamari

• 1 tbsp brown sugar

• Sesame oil to taste

• Salt and white pepper to taste

• For Serving:

• Thinly sliced green onions and cilantro

• Lime or lemon wedges

• Roasted salted peanuts

• Cucumber slices

Step-By-Step Instructions for Assembling Cry Baby Noodles

• First, Cook the Noodles – Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the noodles for 2-3 minutes until just tender but still very al dente – you don’t want mushy noodles. Drain, rinse with cold water, and toss them with a little sesame oil so they don’t stick together. Set aside.
• Next, Make the Mouth-Burning Spicy Garlic Sauce –
  In a medium bowl, combine the minced garlic, chili garlic paste, chili flakes, rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, and a drizzle of sesame oil. Season to taste with a pinch of salt and white pepper. Set this liquid fire sauce aside.
• Time to Assemble! – To serve, place a large portion of noodles into a bowl. Generously drench them in the fiery chili garlic sauce – add to your personal spice preference but know that more is more when it comes to the full Cry Baby experience!
• Finish the dish with sliced green onions, cilantro, roasted peanuts, and fresh cucumber slices. Serve promptly with ice water and milk nearby!

Notes

• That’s it – get ready for the burn! I like to keep ice water nearby and a pint of ice cream to soothe the inevitable heat. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!!

Tips for Adjusting the Spice Level

While I tried to make my homemade sauce as authentically spicy as the show’s version, you can customize the burn:

• Use less chili garlic paste and chili flakes to make it milder. The amounts can easily be cut in half or quartered.
• Mix in a spoon or two of creamy peanut butter, tahini, or plain Greek yogurt to mellow out the heat.
• Brighten it up at the end with lime or lemon juice for a cooling acidity.
• Always serve with cooling rich foods like avocado, sour cream, or ice cream to balance each bite.
• For the truly brave, add even MORE chili paste and flakes to really amp up the pain!

Have fun finding your personal spice preferences. That’s what Cry Baby Noodles are all about!

Get Creative With Mix-Ins!

While the noodles and spicy garlic sauce are the stars, you can jazz up your Cry Baby Noodles with all kinds of mix-ins. Have fun with it!

• Thinly sliced pork belly, chicken, shrimp, or beef
• Roughly chopped roasted peanuts
• Matchstick veggies like carrot, cucumber, bell pepper
• Crispy fried shallots, onions, or garlic
• Fresh herbs like cilantro, basil, mint, or chives
• Toasted sesame seeds, chili crisp, or furikake
• A fried egg for richness

Take these already drool-worthy cry baby noodles recipe to the next level by piling on your favorite flavors, textures, and crunchy toppings.

What to Drink With These Face-Melting Noodles

Trust me, you are going to need lots of cold, refreshing beverages on hand before attempting to take on Cry Baby Noodles:

• Ice cold beer or hard cider
• Ginger ale with lime
• Iced coffee with plenty of milk
• Frozen mango smoothie or lassi
• Any boba tea loaded with tapioca bubbles
• Straight up milk or a frosty milkshake

Anything creamy, cold and soothing will help put out the inevitable fire. Slurp your noodles and chug your drinks together for relief!

Storage and Reheating Leftovers

Should you have the fortitude to have leftovers, here are some storage tips:

• Allow noodles to cool completely before storing.
• Transfer to an airtight container and place sauce in a separate container to avoid sogginess.
• Make sure to squeeze out any excess air before sealing.
• Keep refrigerated for 3-5 days max.
• Reheat in microwave or on stove over low heat until warmed through.
• Add a splash of water if the noodles seem dry.

With proper storage, leftovers should retain all their addictive spicy flavor for round two!

Let Me Know If You Attempt These Noodles

I really hope you’ll be brave enough to give these anguish-inducing Cry Baby Noodles a try soon and report back with your reactions!

They are not for the weak of heart, but provide such a fun and flavorful culinary experience if you can handle the burn. Part of the pleasure is building up your tolerance at your own pace – it’s an addictive challenge!

Please let me know if you recreate the dish and any customizations or serving suggestions you come up with. I want to hear your spice-fueled success stories! And maybe also how many gallons of milk you chugged… Now who’s ready to cry? 🌶️😭🍜