Quick Yaki Udon (Stir-Fried Udon Noodles)

Yaki udon is a Japanese stir-fried dish featuring udon noodles, vegetables, protein, and savory sauce. Prepare it in 20 minutes using simple ingredients for a delicious weeknight meal.

Many people enjoy a quick stir-fried noodle dish for a simple and satisfying meal. Yaki udon is one of my personal favorites because of its delicious flavor and easy preparation.

Japanese udon noodles have a thick and chewy texture, ideal for absorbing savory sauce flavors. The sauce requires only 5 simple ingredients. Best of all, you can prepare this dish in just 15 minutes. It’s a quick and easy meal.

What is Yaki Udon?

Yaki Udon (焼きうどん) is a tasty Japanese noodle dish. It features stir-fried udon noodles with vegetables and meats like beef, pork, chicken, or shrimp. The dish is coated in a delightful sweet and savory sauce made with soy sauce and mirin.

Originating in southern Japan after World War II when food was scarce, this popular noodle dish was often consumed in pubs. It emerged from a noodle shop replacing soba noodles with thick and chewy udon noodles during a food shortage.

This well-liked dish has a counterpart called yaki soba which uses wheat-based soba noodles instead. Despite the noodle variation, yaki udon is a popular dish in Asian households. It’s loved for its simplicity and ingredient versatility.

Thanks to its versatile taste, this dish is an excellent choice for using up leftover ingredients and cleaning out your fridge. By doing so, you can prepare a budget-friendly meal and reduce food waste at the same time.

Ingredient Recommendations

• Udon noodles: I recommend using frozen Sanuki udon noodles. You can find it in the freezer section at most Asian grocery stores.
  • The noodles usually precooked, so you will just need to soak them in hot water to defrost before adding to stir-fry.
• Protein: You can use any of your preferred protein including thinly sliced beef, pork, chicken, or shrimp. I chose to use ground pork for this recipe. Pork belly slices are another common protein used.
  • If you want this noodles to be vegetarian or vegan, replace with plant-based protein, tofu, mushroom or other types of your favorite vegetables.
• Vegetables: Cabbage and carrot are great for this recipe. However, you can also substitute them with any vegetables you have on hand. Some good options include bok choy, baby kale, spinach, bell pepper, zucchini, or any other vegetables you prefer.
• Garlic and green onion: to add more savory flavor.
• Bonito flakes: Bonito flakes are dried and smoked fish flakes with a savory, umami flavor. They make a great garnish. However, they can be omitted without affecting the dish’s taste.

Yaki Udon Sauce

With its combination of umami flavors from oyster sauce, sweetness from mirin, and a hint of saltiness from soy sauce, yaki udon sauce adds depth and complexity to the noodles.

• Oyster sauce: adds flavor and umami
• Soy sauce: seasons the dish
• Dark soy sauce: adds darker color and enhance their appearance, making them more appetizing. (if you prefer a lighter color, you can replace it with regular soy sauce)
• Mirin: for added sweetness
• Sesame oil: for nutty fragrance

Cooking tips

The recipe is simple, but a few tips can enhance your udon stir-fry cooking experience and ensure perfection.

Prepare your veggies and the sauce in advance and set aside:

• As with any stir-fry, yaki udon cooks quickly in a hot skillet. Ensure that your vegetables are chopped and your sauce is prepared ahead of time.

Soften your frozen noodles in hot water:

• When using frozen noodles, soak them in hot water briefly instead of forcefully separating them to prevent breakage.
• Allow the noodles to loosen naturally, gently separate with chopsticks, drain in a colander, and set aside for stir-frying.

Use large skillet or wok:

• I prefer a wok for quick heat distribution and easy stirring.
• A large skillet works too, if it has enough space for veggies and noodles.

How to Make Yaki Udon

Step 1. Soak udon noodles

• To prepare the noodles, place the frozen udon noodles in hot water and soak them for 1-2 minutes until they become loose. Use chopsticks or kitchen tongs to gently separate the noodles, being careful not to break them.
• Drain the noodles in a colander and set them aside until you’re ready to use them in your dish.

Step 2. Make sauce and brown the meat

• To make the sauce, mix all the sauce ingredients in a bowl and set aside.
• Heat one tablespoon of oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat. Add ground pork or your preferred protein and stir-fry until browned and crisp. Transfer the cooked pork to a plate and set it aside.

Step 3. Stir-fry the vegetables

• Heat the remaining oil in the wok or large skillet. Add the cabbage and carrot and stir-fry until they soften, which takes around 2-3 minutes.
• Then, add the green onion and garlic, and continue to stir-fry for an additional 30 seconds.

Step 4. Add noodles and sauce

• Next, add the noodles, pork, and the sauce. Toss everything well to ensure that it is evenly coated with the sauce.
• If desired, garnish the dish with bonito flakes before serving. Enjoy!

5 Delicious Noodle Dishes to Try

Looking for some new and exciting noodle dishes to add to your meal rotation? Each dish is bursting with unique flavors and textures that are sure to satisfy your cravings.

• 5-Minute Kimchi Ramen – Quick and easy ramen recipe that’s packed with flavor thanks to the addition of kimchi, canned tuna, and green onions.
• Jjajangmyeon (Korean Black Bean Noodles) – Popular Korean-Chinese dish made with savory black bean sauce and with pork, and vegetables.
• Easy Japchae (Korean Glass Noodles) – Classic Korean glass noodles with vegetables, meat (usually beef), and seasoned with savory sauce.
• 15-Minute Sesame Soba Noodle Bowl – Healthy and satisfying noodle bowl made with soba, green onion, and crumbled seaweed.
• Hong Kong Style Cantonese Pan-Fried Noodles – Crispy egg noodles pan-fried until golden brown and topped with shrimp (or beef) and vegetables.