A vibrant dish blending sweet and spicy gochujang-glazed chicken with savory sesame noodles, embodying Gen Z’s love for bold global fusion.

Gen Z Food Trends: Sweet, Spicy, Global
A vibrant dish blending sweet and spicy gochujang-glazed chicken with savory sesame noodles, embodying Gen Z's love for bold global fusion.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 0.5 tsp ginger powder
- 8 oz ramen noodles or spaghetti
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 0.25 cup gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 3 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp fresh ginger grated
- 2 tbsp sesame seeds for garnish
- 2 green onions sliced for garnish
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine chicken pieces with 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp sesame oil, garlic powder, and ginger powder. Marinate for at least 15 minutes.
- Cook ramen noodles according to package directions. Drain, rinse with cold water, and toss with remaining 1 tbsp soy sauce and 1 tbsp sesame oil. Set aside.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add gochujang, honey, rice vinegar, brown sugar, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Stir well to combine and cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and is fragrant.
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, tossing to coat evenly with the gochujang sauce.
- Add the prepared sesame noodles to the skillet with the chicken. Toss everything together until the noodles are well coated and heated through.
- Serve immediately, garnished with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.
Notes
For a vegetarian option, substitute chicken with pan-fried tofu. Adjust gochujang for desired spice level. Add extra vegetables like bell peppers or snap peas for more color and nutrients.
