Start by boiling a large pot of salted water. Add your spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water and then drain the noodles.

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1-2 minutes, until it becomes golden and fragrant—be careful not to burn it!

To the skillet, add the soy sauce, sesame oil, maple syrup, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir the mixture until combined, bringing it to a simmer.

Once the sauce is ready, add the drained noodles to the skillet. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time to help coat the noodles and achieve a silky sauce.

After everything is mixed well, remove from heat and serve hot. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and fresh herbs for an extra burst of flavor.