Why this fits a family on a budget
Using budget-friendly pasta and a bag of coleslaw mix instead of individually chopped vegetables keeps this well under $2 per serving. The 30-minute cook time relies entirely on simple boiling and one-pan tossing, making it approachable for a novice on a busy weeknight.
1. Fill a medium saucepan with enough water to fully submerge 4 eggs. Bring to a full boil over high heat. Once boiling, gently lower eggs in using a spoon.
2. Cook eggs for exactly 7 minutes for a jammy, slightly soft yolk. While eggs cook, prepare a bowl of ice water. After 7 minutes, transfer eggs immediately to the ice water and let sit for 5 minutes. Peel and set aside.
3. While the eggs cook, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the noodles and cook according to package directions until al dente (tender but with a slight bite), usually 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1/4 cup of pasta cooking water before draining.
4. Drain the noodles and rinse briefly under cold water to stop cooking. Toss with 1 teaspoon of sesame oil to prevent sticking and set aside.
5. While noodles cook, thinly slice the cucumber into half-moons and slice scallions on a diagonal. Mince the garlic cloves finely.
6. In a small bowl, whisk together gochujang paste, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, and the remaining sesame oil until smooth and well combined. The sauce should be a deep brick-red color and coat the back of a spoon.
7. Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant and just turning golden — do not let it burn.
8. Add the coleslaw mix to the skillet and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until the cabbage is slightly wilted but still has some crunch.
9. Add the drained noodles to the skillet. Pour the gochujang sauce over everything. Toss with tongs for 1-2 minutes over medium heat until noodles are fully coated and glossy. If the sauce seems too thick, add the reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time.
10. Divide the noodles evenly among 4 bowls. Slice each soft-boiled egg in half lengthwise to reveal the jammy yolk and place 2 halves on top of each bowl.
11. Arrange cucumber slices on the side of each bowl. Garnish with sliced scallions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. Serve immediately while warm.
Contains: egg, soy, gluten, sesame. Always double-check labels for your household's allergies.
Cost is a national-average estimate and varies by store and region.
This recipe was generated by Plento Pasto's AI from a library of family-friendly dishes and reviewed for a real photo before publishing. Cooking times, costs, and nutrition are estimates — use your judgment in the kitchen.