Easy 15-Min Yaki Udon
Are you craving a quick and delicious meal? Look no further! This easy yaki udon noodles recipe is the perfect solution for busy weeknights.
Yaki udon is a beloved Japanese dish that brings together thick, chewy udon noodles and a colourful medley of vegetables, all stir-fried to perfection in a savoury sauce. Traditionally enjoyed as a comforting meal, yaki udon can be easily customised to suit any dietary preference - whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, or a meat lover. The beauty of yaki udon lies in its versatility: you can load it up with your favourite veggies, toss in some protein, and adjust the flavours to your liking.
You can get the fresh udon noodles I used here!
Ingredients
- 2 packs of fresh udon noodles (vacuum-packed, fresh or frozen)
- 1 medium carrot, julienned
- 1 small onion, finely sliced
- A few shiitake mushrooms, finely sliced
- Handful of cabbage leaves
- Handful of spring onions, chopped
- 1 tbsp ginger, finely sliced
- Optional: 300g sliced chicken thigh or breast
For the sauce
- 3 tbsp light soy sauce
- 2 tbsp Japanese soy sauce (or more of light soy sauce)
- 1/2 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 2 tbsp mirin
- 1/2 tsp sesame oil
Pair it with
Instructions
- Boil your udon noodles for just a couple of minutes until heated through. Drain and briefly rinse under cold water. Set aside for later.
- In a large pan or wok, heat a splash of oil over medium heat. Add the finely sliced onion and sauté until it becomes soft. Next, toss in the ginger, julienned carrot, shiitake mushrooms, and sliced cabbage. Cook for about 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
- Once the vegetables are cooked, add the udon noodles to the pan and mix everything together.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the light soy sauce, Japanese soy sauce, dark soy sauce, mirin, and sesame oil. Pour this flavourful sauce over the noodles and vegetables, tossing everything together until well-coated. Taste and adjust salt levels if needed.
- If you’re including chicken, stir it in now and cook until heated through. Garnish your dish with chopped spring onions before serving!
Video demonstration
Like this recipe?
This recipe is featured in my debut cookbook "Have You Eaten?", if you liked this recipe, then I'd encourage you to buy my cookbook for even more exclusive and delicious recipes!
More tasty recipe ideas for you
If you liked this recipe then you might like some of these below! Or if you're looking for more inspiration, my cookbook has dozens of exclusive meals not on my website!