Flavorful Stir-Fried Udon Noodles Recipe
Flavorful Stir-Fried Udon Noodles Recipe
Restaurant-Style Stir-Fried Udon
I’ve been craving the delicious stir-fried udon I had at a restaurant the other day, so I decided to try making it at home! This recipe aims to recreate that authentic restaurant taste. I’ve added a few personal touches to make it my own. Here’s my recipe for a wonderfully satisfying stir-fried udon.
Main Ingredients- 2 servings fresh udon noodles
- 3 strips thick-cut bacon (approx. 90g)
- 1/2 sweet onion
- 1 bag bean sprouts (approx. 200g)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic (approx. 10g)
- 2 Tbsp cooking oil (approx. 30ml)
Sauce- 3 Tbsp oyster sauce
- 2 Tbsp mentsuyu (Japanese noodle soup base)
- 1 Tbsp cooking syrup (or rice syrup/oligosaccharide)
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- A pinch of sesame seeds
- 3 Tbsp oyster sauce
- 2 Tbsp mentsuyu (Japanese noodle soup base)
- 1 Tbsp cooking syrup (or rice syrup/oligosaccharide)
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- A pinch of sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s prepare the udon noodles, the star of our dish. Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil and add the 2 servings of udon noodles. Gently separate the noodles so they don’t stick together, and blanch them for just 1-2 minutes until they are pliable. Be careful not to overcook them, as mushy noodles won’t have the best texture!
Step 2
As soon as the udon noodles are blanched, drain them immediately in a colander. Removing the excess hot water is crucial; it prevents the stir-fry from becoming watery and the noodles from clumping. Make sure to drain them thoroughly.
Step 3
Next, let’s prepare the other ingredients. Slice the bacon into about 1cm thick pieces. Peel the onion and cut it into thin slices, about 0.5cm thick. Cutting the ingredients into similar sizes ensures they cook evenly and are easier to eat.
Step 4
For a fresh, crunchy element, rinse the bean sprouts under running water until clean. Then, drain them well in a colander. Excess water from the bean sprouts can dilute the flavor, so draining them thoroughly is essential! With all ingredients prepped, we’re ready for a quick stir-fry.
Step 5
Heat 2 tablespoons of cooking oil in a wok or a large frying pan over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of minced garlic and stir-fry gently until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic; a slow fry will release its aromatic oils nicely.
Step 6
Once the garlic is fragrant, add the sliced onion and bacon to the pan. Stir-fry over medium heat until the bacon is golden brown and crispy, and the onions become translucent. The rendered bacon fat will infuse the onions with a delicious savory flavor.
Step 7
When the bacon is nicely browned, add the drained udon noodles to the pan. Toss everything together using a wok or spatula, ensuring the noodles are evenly coated with the bacon and onion mixture. Stir-fry for about 1 minute to let the noodles absorb some flavor.
Step 8
Now, it’s time to add the flavor! Pour 3 tablespoons of oyster sauce around the edges of the pan. Allowing the sauce to sizzle slightly on the hot pan will enhance its depth and aroma.
Step 9
Next, add 2 tablespoons of mentsuyu (Japanese noodle soup base) similarly around the edges of the pan. Mentsuyu will add a wonderful umami and complex flavor, elevating your stir-fried udon to the next level.
Step 10
Finally, add 1 tablespoon of cooking syrup (or your preferred sweetener) for a touch of sweetness. Turn the heat up to high and stir-fry quickly, ensuring all the sauces coat the udon noodles and other ingredients evenly. Keep tossing the ingredients to mix everything well.
Step 11
Once the noodles are coated with the sauce and everything is well combined, add the prepared bean sprouts. Using chopsticks or a spatula, gently toss the ingredients to lightly cook the bean sprouts. The key is to maintain their crispiness, so don’t overcook them. Stir-fry just until they start to wilt slightly, then immediately turn off the heat. The residual heat will finish cooking them perfectly, preserving their fresh crunch.
Step 12
And here we have the stir-fried udon, beautifully coated in sauce with perfectly cooked bean sprouts! Doesn’t it look appetizing?
Step 13
To finish, drizzle 1 tablespoon of sesame oil for a nutty aroma and sprinkle a generous amount of sesame seeds for garnish and extra flavor. Your delicious stir-fried udon is now complete! Serve immediately and enjoy this delightful meal.
