Yaki Udon (Japanese Stir Fries Udon Noodles)

This delicious and savory Yaki udon or easy Japanese stir-fried udon noodle recipe is ready in just 15 minutes! You mix udon noodles, a choice of protein I use shrimp, and vegetables seasoned with a luscious sauce, and you’re done, very easy to make, right?

I know, there are so many great noodle dishes around the world. But if you want the easiest noodle dish for weeknight dinner on the table, Yaki Udon can be one of the solutions. On the other point, it’s satisfying because  The udon noodles are thick and chewy, the perfect meal to satisfy any noodle craving!

What is Yaki Udon?

Yaki udon is a stir-fried Japanese udon noodle dish that typically features thick, chewy udon noodles sautéed and made with an assortment of vegetables and protein. It’s stir-fried with a savory sauce made of soy sauce and mirin. The noodles simmer just enough to absorb all that wonderful flavor from the stir-fry pan.

The name of the dish translates to “fried udon”. “Yaki” refers to the cooking method of stir-frying, while “udon” indicates the type of noodles being used.  

This is different from yakisoba because they are made with different noodles. Yakisoba is also a stir-fried Japanese noodle dish but the noodles used are much thinner. Its use uses chukamen, yellowish Chinese-style noodles made with wheat flour and kansui (alkaline solution). Which is used for ramen too.

Meanwhile, Yaki udon always uses udon noodles. Udon noodles are thick and chewy white noodles made with wheat flour and water.

In Japanese food specifically in the udon area, there are some types of udon which are Frozen udon noodles, Packaged udon noodles, Fresh udon noodles, and Dry udon noodles (This type of udon noodle needs to be cooked before adding to a stir fry). For today’s recipe, I used a packaged udon noodles vacuum. I don’t know but I think the type of udon not really making a big impact here, since everything will turn delicious tho

So, gather your ingredients, fire up the skillet, and be ready to become a new master chef instantly lol!

Ingredients of Yaki Udon

• Shrimp; This is a source of protein, and I think shrimp is the best option. For an alternative, you can use a choice of protein including thinly sliced beef, chicken, or seafood such as shrimp and squid. If you’re vegan you can skip this part or try to swap with tofu, and mushrooms, or you can simply add other vegetables like bell pepper or bok choy to the mix.
• Udon Noodles vacuum pack; Yaki udon always uses udon noodles. Udon noodles are thick and chewy white noodles made with wheat flour and water. You can use frozen, fresh, or dry noodles to make yaki udon. I recommend using either fresh or frozen udon noodles because they have the best texture. frozen udon noodles can be found in the frozen aisle of most Asian grocery stores. Carrot julienned; to add to the stir fry. Feel free to be creative with this! Stir-fries are a great opportunity to use up leftover vegetables from your fridge.
• Shiitake Mushroom sliced; I love the taste of shitake mushrooms in this Yaki Udon to give it an earthy umami flavour.
• Onion sliced; for the aromatics.
• Green Onion/Scallion cut 2 inches long; I absolutely love the taste of sauteéd scallions in a stir-fry! You can substitute a regular onion, but you won’t get the same delicious flavor. I make a complete package including three of them onion, scallion, and garlic!
• Clove garlic sliced; an absolute must for stir fry noodles!

Sauce

• Dark Soy Sauce; – To make the sweet and savory yaki udon sauce, I like to use dark soy. Dark soy sauce is a sweeter and darker soy sauce than regular soy sauce creating a rich dark brown color. I love the color of my yaki udon for real! feel free to use regular soy sauce.
• Oyster Sauce; oyster sauce adds a slightly sweet, salty, and umami flavor that is the main flavoring ingredient in this stir fry sauce.
• Brown Sugar; balances out the saltiness from the soy sauce and oyster sauce.
• Rice Vinegar; It is a substitute for mirin since I don’t consume alcohol.

Let’s Make Yaki Udon

Prepare the Sauce: First, in a small mixing bowl, combine all the sauce ingredients. Mix well until thoroughly incorporated, then set aside for later use. it will save your time efficiently, and avoid overcooked yaki udon!

Second, heat cooking oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the shrimp and stir-fry until both sides of the shrimp change color and they’re cooked through. Remove the shrimp from the pan and set them aside.

Prepare the Vegetables: Third, in the same skillet, add a bit more cooking oil if needed. Stir-fry the onion and garlic for about 2 minutes until fragrant and slightly golden. Then, add the carrot and mushroom, continuing to cook until the carrot begins to soften. Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking.

Combine the Ingredients

Next, add the udon noodles to the skillet along with the cooked shrimp. Pour the sauce mixture over the noodles and shrimp. Mix everything until well combined. Let the flavors meld together while stirring occasionally.

Final Touches: Then, add the scallions to the skillet and stir for an additional minute, allowing the flavors to infuse and the scallions to slightly wilt.

Serve and Enjoy: Finally, transfer the flavorful yaki udon to a serving plate. Serve immediately while hot, and relish in the delicious combination of flavors and textures.

Enjoy your homemade yaki udon creation with friends and family!

Recipe Notes;

• Make the stir-fry sauce ahead of time to simplify adding it to the udon noodles later. This way, you won’t have to add each sauce separately.
• Before adding the noodles to the stir-fry, separate them. Packaged noodles often stick together, so it’s best to loosen them up before cooking. Just drop them in hot water to separate easily.
• If you’ve got a wok, use it! Woks distribute heat evenly, giving your stir-fried noodles that perfect crispy texture without needing much oil..
• Serve immediately for the best taste. Noodles are at their prime when freshly prepared, so get your stir-fry ready just before mealtime.

Try this recipe!

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