Yaki Udon - A delicious stir fry noodle dish

A quick and flavorful Japanese stir-fry with thick, chewy udon noodles, fresh veggies, and a savory sauce. Perfect for a fast weeknight meal!

Ingredients:

For the Sauce:

• 2 tbsp soy sauce

• 1 tbsp oyster sauce

• 1 tbsp mirin (or substitute with a bit of sugar)

• 1 tsp sesame oil

• ½ tsp sugar

• ½ tsp white pepper (optional, for a little kick)

For the Stir-Fry:

• 2 packs (about 14 oz) fresh or frozen udon noodles

• 1 tbsp oil (vegetable or sesame)

• ½ onion, sliced

• 1 small carrot, julienned

• ½ cup cabbage, shredded

• ½ cup mushrooms (shiitake or button), sliced

• ½ cup protein (chicken, pork, shrimp, or tofu), thinly sliced

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 green onions, chopped

• 1 tbsp bonito flakes (optional, for extra umami)

• Toasted sesame seeds (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the udon noodles – If using frozen udon, soak them in hot water for a minute to loosen, then drain. If using dried udon, cook according to package instructions and rinse with cold water.

2. Make the sauce – In a small bowl, mix all sauce ingredients and set aside.

3. Stir-fry the ingredients – Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add onion, carrot, and cabbage, and stir-fry for 2 minutes. Add mushrooms and protein of choice, cooking until the protein is done.

4. Add the noodles – Toss in the udon noodles and pour the sauce over them. Stir-fry everything together for another 2-3 minutes until the sauce coats the noodles evenly.

5. Finish and serve – Add garlic and green onions, tossing for another 30 seconds. Garnish with bonito flakes, sesame seeds, or more green onions.

Serve hot and enjoy! Want some spice? A drizzle of sriracha or a sprinkle of chili flakes does the trick.