Flavorful & Easy Crab Stick Udon Stir-Fry
Pantry Raid! Delicious Crab Stick Udon Stir-Fry Without Seafood
Got a craving but no idea what to make? Or maybe you want a quick, impressive meal? Introducing the magical Crab Stick Udon Stir-Fry, made in just 5 minutes with ingredients you likely have on hand! The perfect harmony of savory-sweet sauce, tender crab sticks, and chewy udon noodles will make your taste buds dance. A sprinkle of bonito flakes adds an extra layer of restaurant-quality flavor. It’s a truly special meal!^^
Main Ingredients
- 1 serving Udon noodles (fresh or frozen)
- 4 Crab sticks (imitation crab)
- 3 cloves Garlic
- 1/6 head Cabbage
- 1 handful Bonito flakes (katsuobushi, adjust to taste)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, feel free to choose and prepare your vegetables based on your preference. Instead of cabbage, you can also add onions, carrots, or bell peppers for a delicious twist! Whatever vegetables you choose, they’ll add a nice texture and sweetness when stir-fried.
Step 2
Wash the cabbage thoroughly and thinly slice it into strips about 1cm wide. Peel the garlic cloves and slice them thinly into rounds. Slicing the garlic thinly like this prevents it from burning and allows it to release its aroma beautifully, while also complementing the texture when stir-fried with the cabbage.
Step 3
Shred the crab sticks lengthwise into bite-sized pieces by hand. It’s best to shred them along the grain rather than chopping them finely, so you can still enjoy a satisfying texture – almost like shredded chicken!
Step 4
Bring a generous amount of water to a rolling boil in a deep pot. Once boiling, add the udon noodles. Gently loosen them with chopsticks to prevent sticking. Cook the noodles until they are just slightly underdone (about 80% cooked). This is crucial because it ensures the noodles won’t become mushy or clump together when stir-fried later with the sauce, maintaining their delightful chewy texture. Drain the cooked noodles in a colander and let them sit for a moment.
Step 5
Heat about 2 tablespoons of cooking oil in a wide pan over medium heat. Once the oil is warm, add the sliced garlic and stir-fry until fragrant. As the garlic aroma begins to release, add the thinly sliced cabbage and stir-fry together. Continue cooking until the cabbage becomes translucent and slightly tender.
Step 6
Once the garlic and cabbage are somewhat cooked, add the prepared udon noodles and the shredded crab sticks to the pan. Now, pour in all the sauce ingredients – soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, sugar, and pepper. Turn the heat up to high! Stir-frying quickly over high heat is key to ensuring the sauce evenly coats the noodles and ingredients while preventing excess moisture from developing. Keep stirring and stir-fry briskly for 1-2 minutes.
Step 7
When the sauce has evenly coated all the ingredients and the cabbage has softened, absorbing all the flavors, turn off the heat. Your delicious Crab Stick Udon Stir-Fry is now complete!
Step 8
Plate the finished Crab Stick Udon Stir-Fry attractively. Finally, sprinkle a generous amount of bonito flakes over the top for an added layer of flavor. Watch as the bonito flakes dance and flutter from the heat – it’s truly a feast for the eyes! Enjoy it immediately while it’s warm for the best possible taste.
