Crispy Meati Chicken Noodle Bowl With Gochujang Sauce

Make your next meal this delicious Grilled Meati Chicken Noodle Bowl With Gochujang Sauce! Combining the bold flavors of Korean cuisine with the plant-based goodness of Meati, this dish offers a feast for your taste buds and your eyes.

If you haven't tried Meati products, I think you will be impressed by how closely they resemble traditional chicken or beef. Read their story and their mission at the Meati website.

You can find Meati products at Sprouts or Whole Foods, but to find them near you, go to their website.

If you want another recipe featuring Meati products, try Vegan One-Pot Creamy Tomato Gnocchi with Meati Chicken Cutlets.

What is Meati?

Meati is a plant-based meat substitute that’s making waves in the plant-based protein world.

Made from nutrient-rich mycelium—the root system of fungi—it delivers an “I-can’t-believe-it’s-not-meat” texture and flavor, along with an “I-can’t-believe-it’s-mushrooms” surprise.

One of its standout features is its impressive protein content, with up to 25 grams of protein per serving (17 grams in the crispy cutlet), rivaling traditional animal-based sources like chicken, beef, and fish.

Meati also provides a complete protein, containing all nine essential amino acids your body can’t produce, making it a convenient and nutritious option—even though a well-balanced plant-based diet can easily meet these needs.

Do Meati Crispy Cutlets Taste Like Chicken?

"Tastes like chicken" can be subjective and varies from person to person. I think it has successfully mimicked the texture, chew, and mouthfeel.

For some people, Meati comes close enough to traditional chicken, and they choose to eat it because of its delicious texture and flavor that stands out on its own without needing to mimic the exact taste of traditional chicken.

As for the flavor, Meati seasons its products in a way that complements traditional chicken recipes. While it might not be a 100% indistinguishable match for everyone, many people find that when it's cooked with other ingredients or marinated, it can be pretty convincing.

Ingredients

Here are the ingredients on display. See the recipe card for quantities.

Ingredients for the bowl.

Ingredients for the gochujang sauce.

• Gochujang is a delicious Korean paste made from a perfect blend of chili peppers, rice, fermented soybeans, and salt.
• Asian grocery stores are often the best sources for authentic varieties, offering multiple brands and levels of spiciness. Larger supermarkets are increasingly stocking gochujang in their international or ethnic foods sections, although the selection might be more limited. This is the gochujang from Amazon that I use for reference.
• Use ramen rice noodles - Forbidden Rice Ramen from Lotus Foods is great.
• Use olive oil or avocado oil.
• Buy pre-shredded carrots for convenience.
• Use soy sauce or tamari for a gluten-free option.
• Use toasted sesame seeds for garnish.
• Add a splash of water or broth to thin it out, if needed.

Variations

• Go Nutty: Add ¼ cup of peanut butter to the Gochujang sauce for a nutty twist.
• Seasonal Veggies: Feel free to swap in seasonal vegetables to keep the bowl vibrant and fresh all year round.

How To Make Crispy Meati Chicken Noodle Bowl With Gochujang Sauce

Take a look at the process shots below for a visual overview. See the recipe card for details.

Step 1: First, prep the lettuce, cucumber, carrot, peppers, green onions, and cilantro. Mince the garlic and ginger for the sauce.

Step 2: Prepare the gochujang sauce. Combine the ingredients in a small bowl or blender. Mix until well combined.

Step 3: Coat the Meati Chicken pieces with 2 tablespoons of prepared gochujang sauce and cook them in a pan for a few minutes on each side.

Step 4: Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add noodles and cook according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water, then transfer to a bowl.

Step 5: In individual bowls, start with a lettuce base. Add noodles, cucumber slices, grated carrots, peppers, green onions, and cilantro. Top with the Meati chicken pieces.

Step 6: Drizzle the remaining gochujang sauce over each bowl. Garnish with pistachios or peanuts and serve with lime wedges if you'd like. You can opt for an additional dressing like this easy vegan ranch for a cooling effect in your bowl.

Top Tips

• Defrost the Meati: It's important to defrost the Meati first. If you go straight from the freezer to frying, the texture might change, so make sure to defrost in the fridge overnight for best results.
• Coat the Meati: While you can always add the sauce as a dressing, I love coating the Meati with the Gochujang sauce for a richer taste.
• Alternative Option: Add the Meati to an air fryer instead of pan frying and bake for 8 minutes at 350°F (175°C). This is the recommended method on their packaging.
• Cook Noodles Al Dente: Keep an eye on your noodles. Cooking them al dente ensures they don't become mushy.
• Keep the Veggies Fresh: Slice your veggies while the Meati is cooking to keep them crisp and fresh.

Serving Suggestions

• Garnish: Top off your bowl with additional fresh herbs or sesame seeds.
• Dressing: Adding an additional dressing, like easy vegan ranch can add cooling flavors to this bowl.

Meati Noodle Bowl FAQS

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