Description
Japanese Yaki Udon dances with bold flavors and quick stir-fried noodles, bringing comfort straight from Tokyo’s bustling streets. Hearty wheat noodles mingle with savory sauce, creating a simple yet satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 6 ounces (170 grams) chicken, beef, shrimp, tofu, or mushrooms (sliced or cubed)
Noodles and Vegetables:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) fresh or frozen udon noodles
- 1 cup cabbage, shredded
- 1/2 cup carrots, julienned
- 2 scallions, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
Sauces and Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon vegetable or sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (or vegetarian alternative)
- 1 tablespoon mirin
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar (optional, for balance)
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil (for finishing)
- Sesame seeds
- Extra scallions
Instructions
- Boil udon noodles in generously salted water until they reach a tender, springy consistency, ensuring they remain slightly firm to the bite.
- Immediately transfer noodles to a colander and rinse thoroughly with cold water to halt the cooking process and remove excess starch, preventing them from clumping together.
- Gently separate the noodles with your fingers, creating loose, individual strands that will easily absorb the upcoming stir-fry flavors.
- Prepare all remaining ingredients by slicing proteins and vegetables into uniform, bite-sized pieces to guarantee even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.
- Heat a large wok or heavy-bottomed skillet over high heat, allowing the surface to become scorching hot before adding a thin layer of oil.
- Swiftly sauté proteins like chicken or beef until they develop a golden-brown exterior and are cooked through, then transfer to a separate plate.
- In the same pan, quickly stir-fry vegetables such as cabbage, carrots, and green onions until they become vibrant and slightly crisp.
- Return the cooked proteins to the pan and introduce the prepared udon noodles, tossing everything together with a combination of umami-rich sauces like soy sauce, mirin, and oyster sauce.
- Continue stirring and tossing the ingredients rapidly to ensure even coating and heat distribution, allowing the noodles to develop a slight caramelization.
- Finish the dish by garnishing with sesame seeds, additional green onions, and a drizzle of sesame oil for enhanced aromatic complexity.
Notes
- Rinse udon noodles thoroughly to maintain their signature chewy texture and prevent clumping during stir-frying.
- Choose thick, fresh udon noodles for the most authentic and satisfying mouthfeel when preparing this classic Japanese dish.
- Customize the protein by swapping meat with tofu, tempeh, or additional vegetables to create a vegetarian or vegan-friendly version of the recipe.
- Keep extra sauce ingredients like mirin or soy sauce nearby to adjust seasoning quickly and ensure maximum flavor depth in your stir-fry.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Japanese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 65 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg