Noodle Nomad: 5 Best Seafood Noodle Dishes from Around the World

Imagine traveling around the world, eating nothing but seafood noodle dishes. How long would it take to get bored? A while, I bet. Many cuisines have a specialized take on the seafood-noodle combo and the flavors are as diverse as the cultures they represent. Sweet, savory, tangy, spicy…you name the vibe and there’s probably a seafood noodle dish to match.

Let’s explore the best of them now. Below are five iconic seafood noodle recipes from around the world. Use the list to inspire your experimentation in the kitchen or to take up the challenge of ordering one in each of your next five meals out.

Pad Thai: Sweet, savory, and full of shrimp   

I’fm obsessed with Pad Thai and have been since childhood. The unlikely pairing of peanut butter and shrimp creates a complex flavor that’s unlike anything else.

This stir-fried noodle dish features rice noodles, shrimp, tofu, scrambled eggs, and a mix of tamarind, fish sauce, and palm sugar. The traditionalist will garnish Pad Thai with fresh lime, crushed peanuts, and bean sprouts for a refreshing crunch.

The process for making Pad Thai starts with soaking rice noodles in warm water until they’re pliable. You can then stir-fry garlic, shallots, and shrimp in a hot wok until the shrimp are pink and cooked through. Push the shrimp to the side and scramble the eggs in the same wok. Add the softened noodles and a sauce made from tamarind paste, fish sauce, and palm sugar. Toss everything together until well-coated, garnish, and serve.

Here are two fabulous Pad Thai recipes to try:

1. Pad Thai by BlogChef
2. Pad Thai by Tastes Better from Scratch

Chinese Shrimp Chow mein: Quick and flavorful

Chow mein is a versatile Chinese stir-fried noodle dish that can include nearly any protein, including seafood. The dish commonly features thin egg noodles, shrimp, and a mix of vegetables, all tossed in a savory sauce made from soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oil.

Start by cooking the egg noodles according to the package instructions. In a hot wok, stir-fry garlic and ginger until fragrant, then add sliced vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, and cabbage. Add the shrimp and cook until they turn pink. Toss the cooked noodles with the shrimp and vegetables, then add the sauce, stirring until everything is well-coated and heated through. Serve immediately for a quick, satisfying meal.

Two shrimp chow mein recipes to try at home are:

1. Shrimp Chow Mein from the Modern Proper
2. One-Pot Shrimp Chow Mein from Dinner at the Zoo

Italian Seafood Linguine: Elegant and delicious

Seafood linguine is an Italian classic that brings together ocean flavors in a simple, elegant dish. This recipe combines linguine with a mix of seafood such as shrimp, scallops, and clams, all cooked in a light garlic and white wine sauce.

To make seafood linguine, cook the linguine until al dente and reserve a cup of the cooking water. In a large pan, sauté garlic in olive oil until fragrant. Add the seafood and cook until the shrimp turns pink and the clams open. Pour in white wine and simmer until slightly reduced. Toss the cooked linguine with the seafood and sauce, adding a bit of pasta water if needed to achieve the desired consistency. Finish with a sprinkling of fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon for a touch of brightness.

To get these flavors at home, try the Italian seafood pasta recipe at PinaBreciani.com.

Japanese Shrimp Yakisoba: Sweet and savory stir-fry

Yakisoba is a Japanese stir-fried noodle dish that is sweet and savory. Featuring shrimp, vegetables, and noodles tossed in a tangy sauce, this is a quick and easy dish perfect for a weeknight dinner.

To make shrimp yakisoba, start by cooking the noodles according to the package instructions. In a hot pan, you will stir-fry garlic and ginger, then add shrimp and cook until pink. Add sliced vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, and cabbage, and stir-fry until the veggies are tender. Toss the noodles with the shrimp and vegetables, then add a sauce made from soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and a touch of sugar. Mix the shrimp, veggies, noodles, and sauce until everything is well-coated and heated through. Serve immediately.

You can find two excellent shrimp yakisoba recipes at Savor the Best and Keeping it Relle.

Malaysian Seafood Laksa: Creamy and spicy noodle soup

Laksa is a spicy noodle soup made with creamy coconut milk and fragrant spices. Seafood versions of laksa, popular in Malaysia and Singapore, usually contain rice noodles plus a mix of ocean proteins.  

To make seafood laksa, start by preparing the broth. Sauté a paste made from lemongrass, garlic, ginger, and chilies in a large pot until fragrant. Add coconut milk and chicken or seafood stock and simmer. Add the seafood and cook until done. Cook the rice noodles separately, then mix them into the broth and seafood. Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro, bean sprouts, and lime wedges for a rich and spicy meal.

The Curry Guy’s seafood laksa recipe can be made in one pot. The MacPherson Diaries’ recipe also looks to be delicious.  

Explore the world through seafood noodles

Seafood and noodles make for a versatile and delicious vehicle that brings all the world’s flavors into your kitchen — from the sweet and tangy notes of Pad Thai to the bold, spicy kick of Malaysian Laksa. Let these beloved dishes expand your culinary comfort zone. Your taste buds will thank you.