Gluten-Free Ramen-Style Black Eyed Pea Noodle Bowl (Vegan)

For whatever reason, black eyed peas are considered good luck food for the new year, especially when paired with greens.

A close up of a white, ceramic bowl full of a vegan and gluten-free Ramen-Style Black Eyed Pea Noodle Bowl.

Different cultures and different families will tell you why they think the peas are lucky, but the one I like best says that the peas swell when cooked, so represent prosperity, and the greens represent money. If that were true every day I’d be downright prosperous and rich, by now!

Top down view of a bowl of gluten-free, vegan Ramen-Style Black Eyed Pea Noodle Bowl made with rice noodles for New Years. Slightly overexposed white background.

I learned the hard way about this lucky tradition last year, when I coincidentally and unknowingly went to the grocery store the day before the new year in search of some canned black eyed peas, only to find them all gone. When I asked the clerk if they had any in the back, he told me that they fly off the shelves this time of year, and if they’re gone, they’re gone.

Close up of a bowl of black eyed pea noodle bowl that's gluten-free and vegan. Made for New Years with rice noodles that taste like ramen. Photo shows only right half the bowl on a white background.

I wanted to make something a little different than the Hoppin John that floods the food blogs at the end of the year. So I decided to go with a ramen-style twist, and it turned out awesome! The broth is super important for this meal, so make sure to choose a light-colored one that you really like.

Top down, slightly oblique view of a bowl full of rice noodle, greens, and black eyed peas for New Years on a white background. Chop sticks sit to the right and a second bowl full at the top.

If you are unsure, go for the “Organics” brand that comes in a 1 qt carton – it’s my favorite right now! The only seasonings in the broth are freshly minced garlic, ginger, coriander, and a tiny bit of soy sauce. These super simple ingredients make for an exceptionally flavorful broth, the perfect base for our noodles and black-eyed peas!

Oblique view of a white ceramic bowl full of ramen-like rice noodles with greens and black eyed peas for the New Years. A pair of chopsticks are placed on top of the bowl. A second bowl full is in the background along with a wadded gray table cloth.

The noodles cook in just 10 minutes after the broth boils, so this meal is super quick to whip together. The peas give it a nice contrast against the noodles, and the greens, onions, and cilantro give it pops of flavor.

AJ was SUPER stoked with this dish, to say the least. He loves simple, but flavorful food, especially when it involves noodles or soup. Well this one hit all those points, and sends us into the new year with some luck for prosperity and wealth!

A close up of a vegan-friendly and gluten-free Ramen-Style Black Eyed Pea Noodle Bowl for New Years showing the left side of the bowl. On a white, slightly over exposed background. A pair of wooden chopsticks sit on top of the bowl.

I hope everyone has a really awesome New Year, and here’s to a lucky and prosperous 2018!

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A close up of a gluten-free and vegan Ramen-Style Black Eyed Pea Noodle Bowl on a white, isolate background.

Gluten-Free Ramen-Style Black Eyed Pea Noodle Bowl (Vegan)


  • Author: Raquel Smith
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

A delicious twist on a New Years tradition – a black eyed pea noodle bowl! With flavors reminiscent of ramen and less than 30 minutes until dinner is served, this recipe is a true winner. Plus, it’s both vegan and gluten free!


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 Tbsp sesame oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, pressed
  • 1/4 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/4 tsp ground coriander
  • 4 cups vegetable broth*
  • 4 cups water
  • 1 Tbsp soy sauce
  • 14 oz dried rice noodles (we use pad thai-style noodles)
  • 1 can black eyed peas, rinsed and drained
  • 2 cups chopped greens (such as beet greens, chard, or spinach)
  • 1 Tbsp non-dairy butter
  • 1/3 cup chopped cilantro
  • 1/4 cup chopped green onion
  • 1/2 tsp salt, or to taste

Instructions

  1. Heat the sesame oil in a medium to large pot over medium heat. Add the garlic and spices and cook while stirring until the garlic is fragrant and just barely starts to brown, about 1 minute.
  2. Carefully add the vegetable broth, water, and soy sauce, then turn up the heat and bring to a boil.
  3. Add the rice noodles and peas to the pot and continue to cook on high until it begins to boil again, about 2 minutes. Immediately remove from the heat, stir in the chopped greens and butter, and let sit covered for 8-10 minutes.*
  4. Check that the noodles are tender, then stir in the cilantro and green onion. Taste the broth and add salt as needed (I used a 1/2 tsp). Serve immediately.

Notes

– I used the “Organics” brand vegetable broth, which is light in color and has a great flavor. Go with one whose flavor you know you like, as its flavor is front and center in this recipe.

– Adjust the cooking time for the noodles according to package directions, if necessary.

  • Prep Time: 5 mins
  • Cook Time: 15 mins
  • Category: Pasta
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Asian

Keywords: ramen, ramyeon, black eyed peas, noodle bowl, rice noodles, vegan, gluten-free, new years

Oodles of noodles! We’ll send you some noods now:

What about you? Do you have traditions that you and your family practices for New Years? Let us know in the comments below and if this recipe tickles your tummy please give it a rating!

Photos by Raquel Smith, © Ask the Experts, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. See our TOS for more details. Originally published on December 31st, 2014. Last updated: December 31, 2019 at 5:32 am.

Nutritional information derived from a database of known generic and branded foods and ingredients and was not compiled by a registered dietitian or submitted for lab testing. It should be viewed as an approximation.

About Raquel Smith

Raquel is a whole foods enthusiast, an avid mountain biker, and a dog lover. She works by day at Food Blogger Pro and formerly maintained her food blog "My California Roots" (now merged into Foodal).

3 thoughts on “Gluten-Free Ramen-Style Black Eyed Pea Noodle Bowl (Vegan)”

  1. In Hungary they say lentils bring you luck and money, similar tradition 🙂

    And your soup recipe sounds amazing, I love ramen style soups, have to try out this one!

    Reply

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