noodle | Trader Joe’s Rants & Raves (mostly raves, a few rants)

Trader Joe’s SQUIGGLY KNIFE CUT STYLE NOODLES with Spicy Garlic Sesame sauce, review

Trader Joe’s came out with this new version of their popular “SQUIGGLY RUFFLED NOODLES”. The newer version has a black package and a different sauce from the original. I finally got around to trying the new flavor. I have to say I was pretty surprised.

The newer version comes with a way better sauce. So much better. I mean I had suggested one throw out the sauce package in the other (soy and sesame) red package version and make your own! Now you don’t have to.

The newer flavor with the “spicy garlic sesame sauce” sauce packet is so much better than the original flavor.

My advice about the two kinds they have is simple. I would buy the black package over the original version (Soy/Sesame) red package. How spicy is it? To me, I didn’t find it very spicy. Of course your mileage may vary. Spice tolerance is personal. I would say unless you are super sensitive to spiciness, this is at most “mildly spicy”, I mean it’s not “Hot Ones” level.

Not only did they fix the newer version up with a better sauce, they even somehow managed to reduce the Sodium content at the same time. So color me impressed.

Each noodle pack here comes with two little sauce packets. One is labeled “Sesame Seed Paste“. The other, “Creamy Spicy Garlic Sauce“. You mix them together. The combined flavors make a decent sauce. Why are they separate? Because the sesame paste clumps. So much that I found it impossible to squeeze out the sesame paste. It’s so thick and clumpy. TIP: I cut the packet open with a pair of scissors. Then I had to use a small spoon to scrape out all the clumpy dark sesame paste plus it’s oil. A bit messy but worth the trouble as this dark (roasted?) Asian sesame paste does have a lot of flavor.

Though labeled “spicy” I didn’t find it very spicy, at least to my palate. Just a bit spicy? Anyway, just so you know it’s not a fire bomb. In fact I wanted it a bit spicier so I even added a little Lao Gan Ma (chili crisp)

*my stir fried noodles (with eggs and scallions)*

Other than that sauce fix, the noodles themselves seem the same as the other (red) package. I see no point in buying the red package anymore; this (black) one is better, sauce wise. Same noodles and same amount.

I made the noodles Stir Fried with eggs and scallions, pretty easy-peasy. See my other post which goes into detail on par-boiling the noodles a minute or two and then stir frying them with sauce.

Compared to the original Soy/Sesame version, this Spicy version has a bit **less sodium** listed, **now 700** **mg sodium** here (vs. 920 mg in the original soy and sesame version). That’s good. Especially as the sauce here even tastes better.

If you want to just boil them and mix the sauce in, that’s OK now, which wasn’t the case before with the not great sauce in the red package IMO

Of course, a few other ingredients could improve your dish starting with adding some of your own chopped scallions. I do like the stir fry way though of making these noodles too.

These noodles are not only savory and satisfying but also versatile, making them an ideal addition to various dishes. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a more elaborate meal, they pair beautifully with vegetables, proteins. In a pinch even just on their own.

At $1.25 per noodle pack, these are an excellent choice for anyone looking to elevate their home cooking without breaking the bank. TIP: Spend another $1.29 on a package of scallions (cilantro too perhaps? a package is $2) and you will have those for other dishes…

Trader Joe’s Squiggly Noodles SPICY GARLIC SESAME SAUCE version are $4.99

How to Cook: If you are just boiling and serving, first prepare your sauce by opening the packet(s) and putting the sauces together into a bowl and mixing them. A teaspoon of water if needed to thin things out. If you have any “topping extras” such as scallions, baked tofu, hard boiled eggs, or cooked veggies you will use on top, prep them up, cut into bite size or noodle like pieces. You will top the noodles with them later.

Boil a pot of water. Add the dried noodles. Cook about 4 minutes; drain yes but leave a little water left on them and put the noodles into your bowl with the sauce. Toss gently to combine the sauce and noodles. Add on your scallions or other ingredients on top. You can mix those in as you eat (or mix now)

Enjoy noodles while they are still hot.

If you are stir frying them, reduce the time boiling them to about a 2-2 1/2 mins. Drain and put in bowl with about a teaspoon of oil. Toss to coat. This prevents them sticking together. Cook your other ingredients, and when ready add the noodles and your sauce (these two packets, or your own plus 1/4 water or stock) and cook about one to two minutes tossing to coat well. Serve.

Can you add anything to the sauce that comes with this? Sure, if you like, you can still add a bit of other things. Like a drizzle of Trader Joe’s Toasted Sesame oil which will add great flavor, or Korean Gochujang sauce, or Lao Gan Ma or CHILI ONION CRUNCH.…. whatever you like.

Like almost any Asian noodle, something as simple as throwing on chopped scallions, or cilantro will add a good deal of Asian flavors. Here I have added the TERIYAKI CHICKEN MEATBALLS plus yellow bell peppers in a stir fry with the noodles.

YOU should also check out my original post on the Soy and Sesame version of the SQUIGGLY NOODLES which has a lot of ideas about how to upgrade and cook them HERE

(NOTE: Since when I originally wrote this, Trader Joe’s came out with another flavor called, “SPICY GARLIC AND SESAME SAUCE” (black package). I recommend that version (black) over this one (red) as the sauce in that version is much better than this one! (But the cooking ideas in this post apply to both)

Trader Joe’s Squiggly Knife Cut Style Noodles with Soy and Sesame Sauce

One could easily call me a noodle loving foodie, as I will go for most any Asian noodle dish you put in front of me.

So when I first saw these Trader Joe’s Noodles they looked very promising. Not to mention they say “Made in Taiwan”. Asian wheat noodles like these with ruffled edges are quite typical and prized as the ruffle edges hold onto a sauce. I often see these type of noodle for sale, dried in a Chinese/Asian supermarket. So nice to see them at Trader Joe’s as for most of us that is way more convenient.

Soon after Trader Joe’s came out with these noodles I learned they really blew up on social media like Tiktok and Instagram. They became such a big thing that trying to find them at Trader Joe’s became next to impossible (at that time). These were selling so fast, shelves were emptied almost as soon as they were filled*. Things got so nuts, that “food scalpers” were even actually RESELLING THEM for profit* for way more than they cost! Argh!!%#@$

UPDATE-1, Feb 2023) Wow, TJ’s can’t seem to keep these in stock. Likely due to social media people were just scooping packs of these up with * some people even buying them to scalp and re-sell for high profits! Can’t find any.

(Update-2, Aug 2023) Things seem to have calmed down with these noodles, and I’m able to find them on on the shelves.

(2025 ; this MIA issue doesn’t seem to exist anymore, they are way easier to find now, almost always on the shelves)

So my first big question was : Why are they so popular? Are these really that good? I had a feeling one simple reason was simply the price.

For $4.99 for a package of 4 (or $1.25 each) I was pretty sure people basically were viewing these as “dollar ramen”. And I mean the cheap kind, $1 ramen (or 2 for $1) and NOT quality Korean or Japanese ramen packages that cost $4-5 each.

I grant you these “squiggly noodles” look better than cheap $1 ramen. Though, if you only cook them as them as directed, meaning just eat these noodles and the (frankly crappy) “soy and sesame sauce” these come with, my answer to the question, “are they that good” is qualified on how you make them. Make these exactly As Is (noodles plus sauce packet)? Like that, these are at best, Mediocre. Make them as directed on the package and I give these maybe a 4/10.

HOWEVER I think these noodles have POTENTIAL , if you bother to fix them up! Make a little effort to fix them up a bit and you can come up with a tasty noodle dish.

(I found their “Soy and Sesame” sauce pretty crappy)

So my suggestion is do not even bother with the included (crappy) sauce packet. Its not good. “Soy and sesame” sauce? Ha! Just check the ingredients which reads as mostly chemicals. I say don’t use that cheap crappy “sauce”. ADD YOUR OWN SAUCE. Yes you heard me. To fix these up use the noodles plus your noodle! (again, the black package has a much better sauce!)

Consider the noodles a blank canvas that you will fix up. With a little effort you can turn these noodles into a decent tasting noodle dish. Basically you will make some sauce, and likely add some of your own things.

Then they go up to perhaps 7/10.

The package says: “Cook the Noodles in boiling water for four minutes, drain, then toss in the Sauce and prepare to be pleased.”

I did that and was not very pleased at all. Very mediocre. If you do it bare bones, simply cook these and mix with their packet of crappy “soy/sesame” sauce (again — the other “spicy garlic” version in the black package actually has a sauce that is way better which comes as two sauce packs).

Cooking (as per the package’s instructions):

The very first time I made these, I did it exactly as it says on the package: “Bring 4 cups water to a boil. Add noodles. Cook 4 minutes. Drain and add sauce packet”. Result? A big Meh. So mediocre as the sauce packet that comes with this version kind of sucks. If you only cook noodles and mix in the packet you will end up with an extremely mediocre noodle dish.

Now while these aren’t superb noodles, the noodles are decent enough. They have potential. The ruffled edges are actually great at holding sauce. So you need some kind of good sauce with these.

So my first advice about TJ’s Squiggly Noodles (Soy/Sesame) is simple. Come up with your own sauce. Add other things. Do this and these noodles can become a dish you will really enjoy. It won’t take much effort. Really!

So the second time I made these noodles I took a different take. First, I knew I would add my own sauce, and not use that packet it comes with. I also thought I would use these noodles to make a Stir Fry dish. So here’s what I did.

First I cooked (or more like par-boiled) the noodles. I reduced the time from 4 minutes to 2 minutes. I am par-boiling them as they will be cooked more stir frying them then adding some sauce.

Cook 2 minutes, drain them, and run under cold water. Put drained noodles in a bowl temporarily. Mix in 1 tsp of oil, stirring to coat (this helps noodles from sticking together).

In a wok I sautéed chopped garlic, ginger, green onions and a few veggies I had in the fridge for a minute in a tablespoon of oil. I pushed those things up the side of my wok and poured in a little more oil I made a scrambled egg in the center of the wok. When the egg was about 75% cooked I tossed in the par-boiled noodles, and stir fried everything together for about a minute or two. Now I added my sauce* mixture and stirred everything gently to coat the noodles. I gave them 30-60 seconds like that to come together and let the sauce reduce a bit.

I plated the noodle dish, tossing on some chopped scallions, cilantro, sliced cucumber. Drizzled on a bit of Toasted Sesame Oil. Wow, this noodle dish was so much better it wasn’t funny. These noodles now tasted good! Here’s the dish (and yes I know I should have cut the cucumbers way thinner!)

So most important is make or add your own sauce. Add a few things. Here’s some basic ideas….

(Quick basic Chinese sauce recipe: In a small bowl add 2 cloves garlic, crushed. Add 1 tbl soy sauce, 1/2 inch fresh grated ginger. 1 tsp brown sugar. Add 3 tbl of water and mix well.

OK, that’s a start. If you want more flavor consider adding : 1/2 tsp oyster sauce, 1 tsp black vinegar (sub: rice vinegar), toasted sesame oil, 1 tsp Gochugang. ) A heaping tbl of crunchy peanut butter can work great in a sauce with these noodles. If you use that, mix it with 2 tbs water to thin it out.

Oh come on, is that too much work for you? Ok, then just use a prepared Asian sauce for example TJ’s SOYAKI sauce plus Chili Onion Crunch. Maybe TJ’s GOCHUJANG sauce mixed with 2 tbls water, 2 cloves of crushed garlic and some Soy sauce. Maybe TJ roasted sesame oil.

Still too much work? Fine, add some soy sauce, butter and black pepper.

KOREAN YANGNEOM SAUCE

Almost anything will be better than the poor “soy and sesame” sauce this comes with. If you insist on using the included packet, use no more than half of it, then add a little a bit of low sodium soy sauce and a clove of crushed garlic, and peanut butter thinned out with some water. Toss on Chili Crunch.

Of course you can add veggies. Proteins. Just look in the fridge or freezer and see what you have that you could add. With just a bit of effort will figure out what you like on these noodles.

(AGAIN, noodles in the the red package has a pretty bad sauce, but sauce packs that come with the black package is pretty OK! I would only buy the black package of noodles)

TJ’s “SQUIGGLY NOODLES” $4.99 (4 noodle packs). “Product of Taiwan”

I would suggest try them at least once as a stir fried dish, as I detailed above. You could come up with a great sauce topping the way Aaron of “Aaron and Claire” makes this (Check out Aaron’s Chili Garlic Noodles recipe from YouTube). With ground pork or ground beef you can make a fantastic noodle dish. Even if you just add a runny fried egg, soft scrambled eggs or a 6 minute soft boiled egg on top, that can make these better. Chopped scallions and Cilantro if you like it. A really nice topping could be my hack for easy CharSiu made with TJ’s Carnitas Pork. Proteins? Sliced Baked tofu. Sliced chicken. I usually look through my fridge and whatever leftovers I find that could work go into my dish. TERIYAKI CHICKEN MEATBALLS!? For sho’

Watch Aaron, of “Aaron and Claire” doing a Garlic Chili Noodle dish (video). One could definitely try this with these noodles which look like noodles he is using. I’ve watched so many of Aaron’s cooking videos, and I know this has really upped my cooking game for making Korean & Asian dishes especially using noodles. So check him out too if you want to up your noodle game.

Ingredients

Here’s Trader Joe’s info about these: https://www.traderjoes.com/home/products/pdp/squiggly-knife-cut-style-noodles-074472

NOODLES (WHEAT FLOUR, WATER, SALT)
SAUCE PACKET (SOY SAUCE [WATER, GLUCOSE, DEFATTED SOY FLOUR, INVERT SUGAR SYRUP, WHEAT, SALT, CARAMEL COLOR, YEAST EXTRACT POWDER, MALIC ACID], SHALLOT SEASONING SAUCE [CANOLA OIL, SOY SAUCE {WATER, SOYBEANS, WHEAT, SALT}, WATER, SHALLOT POWDER, SUGAR, SOY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, SALT, CHILI SAUCE {CHILI PEPPER, SALT}, GARLIC POWDER, YEAST EXTRACT POWDER, NATURAL FLAVOR, GLUCONO-DELTA-LACTONE, BLACK PEPPER, PAPRIKA EXTRACT, ALPHA TOCOPHEROL ACETATE {TO PRESERVE}], SESAME OIL).
920 mg SODIUM (Note: That is nearly 1/2 the recommended amount a person should eat in a day. As some packaged Asian foods have very high Sodium levels be sure to check the label when shopping for them).