Description
A comforting and flavorful stir-fried noodle dish featuring udon noodles, thinly sliced beef, and a variety of colorful vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
- 600g Udon Noodles, fresh or frozen
- 250g Thinly Sliced Beef
- 2 cups Cabbage, chopped
- 1 medium Carrot, julienned or thinly sliced
- 1/2 medium Onion, thinly sliced
- 1 small Bell Pepper, any color, sliced
- 1 cup Mushrooms, sliced (shiitake or button)
- 2–3 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp Ginger, minced
- 4 tbsp Soy Sauce
- 2 tbsp Oyster Sauce
- 2 tbsp Non-Alcoholic Mirin Alternative
- 1–2 tsp Sugar, to taste
- 1 tsp Toasted Sesame Oil
- 2 tbsp Water or Beef Broth
- Green Onions, sliced (optional)
- Toasted Sesame Seeds (optional)
- Beni Shoga (red pickled ginger, optional)
- Katsuobushi (bonito flakes, optional)
Instructions
- Prep Your Ingredients: Slice your beef thinly. Chop all your vegetables as specified. Mince your garlic and ginger. In a small bowl, whisk together all the sauce ingredients: soy sauce, oyster sauce, non-alcoholic mirin alternative (rice vinegar + sugar), sugar, and water/broth. Set aside.
- Prepare the Udon: If using frozen udon, blanch them quickly in boiling water for about 1 minute or microwave according to package directions until they separate and are pliable but still firm. Drain well and set aside. If using fresh udon, you might just need to loosen them up under warm water. Avoid overcooking at this stage!
- Cook the Beef: Heat 1 tablespoon of cooking oil (like vegetable or canola oil) in a large wok or a very large non-stick pan over high heat until shimmering. Add the thinly sliced beef in a single layer. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove the beef from the pan and set it aside, leaving any residual oil.
- Sauté Aromatics and Vegetables: Add another tablespoon of oil to the same pan if needed. Add the minced garlic and ginger and stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant. Don’t let them burn!
- Add the Harder Vegetables: Add the sliced onions and carrots to the pan. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until they start to soften slightly.
- Add Remaining Vegetables: Toss in the sliced bell peppers, cabbage, and mushrooms. Continue to stir-fry for another 3-4 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender-crisp. You want them cooked but still with a nice bite.
- Combine and Sauce: Return the cooked beef to the pan with the vegetables. Add the prepared udon noodles. Pour the whisked sauce evenly over the noodles and vegetables.
- Stir-Fry to Perfection: Using tongs or two spatulas, toss everything together vigorously for 2-3 minutes. Ensure the noodles are thoroughly coated with the sauce and everything is heated through. The sauce should thicken slightly and cling to the noodles.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the toasted sesame oil. Transfer the irresistible Yaki Udon to serving bowls. Garnish generously with sliced green onions, toasted sesame seeds, and if you like, a sprinkle of beni shoga or katsuobushi. Serve immediately and enjoy that comforting goodness!
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, replace beef with tofu and use vegetable broth instead of beef broth.
- Adjust the sugar according to your taste preference.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stir-fry
- Cuisine: Japanese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 30mg