Sizzling Yaki Udon Noodles Stir-Fry Recipe: A Savory Delight

My recent trip to Tokyo sparked a deep love for yaki udon noodles that blend savory umami flavors with incredible texture.

Japanese street vendors masterfully prepare this classic dish with incredible speed and precision.

Thick wheat noodles dance in a hot wok, creating a symphony of sizzling sounds and rich aromas.

Tender vegetables and protein intermingle, creating a satisfying meal that transports you directly to bustling Japanese markets.

Each bite promises a perfect balance of soft noodles and crisp ingredients.

Chefs recommend using high heat and quick movements to achieve that authentic street-food quality.

You’ll want to gather your ingredients and start cooking right away to experience this delicious culinary adventure.

Yaki Udon Stir-Fry That’s Big on Bold Flavor

• Boost Flavor Complexity: Packed with layers of umami from soy sauce, oyster sauce, and Gochugaru, this dish delivers a punch of rich, deep tastes that dance on your palate.
• Master One-Pan Magic: Single skillet cooking means minimal cleanup and maximum convenience, perfect for busy home cooks who want delicious meals without extensive kitchen work.
• Customize Your Protein: Ground pork can easily be swapped with chicken, beef, or tofu, making this recipe incredibly flexible for different dietary preferences and pantry ingredients.
• Quick Weeknight Winner: From start to finish, this stir-fry comes together fast, transforming simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality meal that satisfies hunger and craves for more.

What You Need to Make Yaki Udon at Home

• Udon Noodles: Thick, chewy Japanese wheat noodles that provide the hearty base for this stir-fry.
• Ground Pork: Protein-rich meat that adds savory flavor and substance to the dish.
• Bok Choy: Tender green vegetable that brings a mild, fresh taste and nutritional value.

• Cabbage, Carrot: Crisp vegetables that add texture and natural sweetness to the stir-fry.
• Onion, Garlic: Aromatic ingredients that create a flavorful foundation for the dish.
• Green Onions: Fresh garnish that provides a mild, sharp finish to the meal.

• Soy Sauce, Oyster Sauce, Mirin, Brown Sugar, Rice Wine Vinegar, Gochugaru: A complex sauce blend that delivers a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and slightly spicy flavors to the Yaki Udon.
• Sesame Seeds: Toasted garnish that adds a nutty crunch and visual appeal to the dish.

Step-by-Step for Slurpy, Saucy Udon Noodles

Step 1: Create Flavor Explosion

• Soy sauce
• Oyster sauce
• Mirin
• Brown sugar
• Rice wine vinegar
• Gochugaru

Whisk everything together until the sauce looks smooth and glossy. Set aside while you work your culinary magic.

Step 2: Noodle Prep Dance

Cook udon noodles exactly like the package tells you. Once they’re perfectly tender, drain and let them chill while you get other ingredients ready.

Slice your veggies into thin, elegant strips – think julienne for carrots and cabbage, and rough chop for bok choy.

Step 3: Sizzle the Meat

Fire up a wok or skillet over medium-high heat.

Drizzle in some oil and toss in ground pork. Splash a couple tablespoons of your prepared sauce over the meat.

Break up the pork into tiny crumbles as it cooks, letting it get golden and delicious for 4-5 minutes.

Step 4: Aromatic Adventure

Toss minced garlic and sliced onions into the sizzling meat.

Let them dance around for 1-2 minutes until they release their mouthwatering fragrance.

Step 5: Veggie Tango

Add cabbage and carrots to the party.

Crank the heat to high and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes. You want them tender but still sporting a crisp attitude.

Step 6: Noodle Finale

Slide in those waiting udon noodles, chopped bok choy, and pour the remaining sauce over everything. Toss and flip for 2-3 minutes on high heat until every single morsel is gloriously coated.

Step 7: Glamorous Garnish

Sprinkle chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds on top. Your Yaki Udon is ready to steal the show!

Stir-Fry Tips for Yaki Udon Perfection

• Replace ground pork with tofu or chicken for a versatile protein option that suits different dietary preferences.
• Ensure udon noodles are not overcooked to maintain their signature chewy texture and prevent mushy results.
• Use a high-heat wok or large skillet to achieve proper stir-fry technique and create delicious caramelized edges on vegetables.
• Add extra Gochugaru for more heat or reduce it for a milder flavor profile that suits sensitive palates.
• Fresh udon noodles work best, but dried noodles can be substituted by following package cooking instructions carefully.

Twists to Take Your Yaki Udon Up a Notch

• Seafood Udon Fusion: Replace ground pork with shrimp, scallops, or mixed seafood for an oceanic protein variation.
• Vegetarian Veggie Blast: Swap meat with tofu or tempeh, adding extra mushrooms and bell peppers for robust plant-based flavor.
• Spicy Korean-Style Udon: Increase Gochugaru amount, add gochujang paste, and include kimchi for an intensely fiery Korean-inspired version.
• Creamy Japanese Curry Udon: Mix in Japanese curry roux or powder during cooking, creating a rich, velvety sauce with deeper umami notes.

What to Serve with Udon Stir-Fry

• Pair Crisp Japanese Lager: Select a light, refreshing Sapporo or Asahi beer to balance the rich, savory udon noodles and cut through the pork's fattiness.
• Complement with Chilled Sake: Choose a dry junmai sake that enhances the umami flavors of the stir-fry and provides a smooth, clean finish to each bite.
• Match with Green Tea: Brew a hot sencha or genmaicha to cleanse the palate and offer a subtle, earthy counterpoint to the dish's bold seasonings.
• Serve with Cucumber Salad: Create a quick pickled cucumber side with rice vinegar and sesame oil to add a cool, tangy contrast to the warm, spicy noodles.

Udon Storage Tips That Keep the Flavor Intact

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Cool the dish completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.
• Microwave Reheat: Place noodles in a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle a few drops of water, and cover. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even warming.
• Skillet Refresh: Warm noodles in a hot skillet with a splash of oil, stirring quickly to prevent sticking and restore the original stir-fry texture. Cook for 2-3 minutes until heated thoroughly.
• Avoid Freezing: Skip freezing this dish, as udon noodles lose their texture and become mushy when thawed, compromising the meal's quality and taste.

Yaki Udon FAQs You Didn’t Know You Needed

• What makes Yaki Udon different from other noodle dishes?

Yaki Udon is a Japanese stir-fry dish featuring thick, chewy udon noodles with a savory sauce, typically made with meat and vegetables, offering a quick and flavorful meal that’s different from other Asian noodle recipes.

• Can I use a different type of meat in this recipe?

Yes, you can substitute ground pork with ground chicken, beef, or even tofu for a vegetarian version. Each protein will bring a unique flavor to the dish while maintaining the core recipe structure.

• How spicy is this Yaki Udon recipe?

The recipe uses Gochugaru, a Korean red pepper flake, which adds a mild heat.

Yaki Udon Noodles Stir-Fry Recipe

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4.6 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 2 1x

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Description

Savor Japan’s delightful Yaki Udon Noodles, a quick and flavorful stir-fry packed with umami goodness. Thick udon noodles dance with tender vegetables and protein, creating a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 250 grams (8.8 ounces) ground pork

Noodles and Vegetables:

• 2 servings udon noodles (500 grams / 17.6 ounces)
• 1/2 medium onion, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups cabbage, chopped
• 1 carrot, julienned
• 2–3 baby bok choy, chopped

Sauce and Cooking Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons peanut oil or neutral cooking oil
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
• 1 tablespoon mirin
• 1.5 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1.5 teaspoons rice wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon gochugaru (Korean chili flakes), optional

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Instructions

1. Whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, mirin, brown sugar, rice wine vinegar, and Gochugaru in a small bowl to create a vibrant, umami-rich sauce.
2. Boil udon noodles according to package instructions until tender, then drain and rinse with cold water to prevent sticking.
3. Slice vegetables into uniform, thin strips to ensure even cooking and attractive presentation.
4. Heat wok or large skillet over medium-high heat with oil, then add ground pork and 2 tablespoons of prepared sauce.
5. Crumble pork while cooking for 4-5 minutes, ensuring meat is thoroughly browned and no pink remains.
6. Introduce minced garlic and sliced onions, sautéing for 1-2 minutes until aromatic and slightly translucent.
7. Toss cabbage and carrot into the wok, stir-frying on high heat for 2-3 minutes to maintain crisp texture.
8. Incorporate cooked udon noodles, bok choy, and remaining sauce, tossing vigorously to distribute flavors evenly.
9. Continue cooking for 2-3 minutes until noodles are heated through and everything is well-coated.
10. Transfer to serving plates and garnish with chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds for added crunch and visual appeal.

Notes

• Swap ground pork with tofu, chicken, or shrimp for versatile protein options that cater to different dietary preferences.
• Keep vegetables crisp by stir-frying on high heat and avoid overcooking to maintain texture and nutritional value.
• Choose fresh udon noodles when possible for authentic texture and better flavor absorption compared to dried varieties.
• Control spice levels by adjusting Gochugaru amount or substituting with mild chili flakes for a less intense heat profile.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Japanese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2
• Calories: 800
• Sugar: 7g
• Sodium: 1500mg
• Fat: 36g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Unsaturated Fat: 24g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 90g
• Fiber: 6g
• Protein: 32g
• Cholesterol: 80mg