Description
Silky chili oil udon noodles bring Japanese comfort to your kitchen with a spicy twist. Rich umami flavors and quick preparation make this dish a delightful weeknight meal you’ll savor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 packs (7 oz / 198 g) udon noodles (fresh or frozen)
- 1 fried egg
- 2 tbsps chili oil (with crispy bits, if possible)
- 1 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tsp dark soy sauce (optional, for color and depth)
- 1 tsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp sugar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ tsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp neutral oil (vegetable or canola)
- green onions, sliced
- toasted sesame seeds
- crushed peanuts or cashews
- steamed bok choy or spinach
Instructions
- Noodle Preparation: Bring a large pot of water to a vigorous boil. Immerse udon noodles, cooking until they achieve optimal tenderness (2-3 minutes for fresh varieties). Drain and rinse with warm water to prevent adhesion.
- Sauce Fusion: In a mixing bowl, combine chili oil, soy sauces, vinegar, sugar, minced garlic, and sesame oil. Whisk thoroughly to create a harmonious, multilayered flavor foundation that will elevate the dish’s complexity.
- Culinary Transformation: Heat a neutral cooking oil in a spacious wok or skillet over medium-high temperature. Introduce cooked udon noodles, tossing and stirring for approximately 1 minute to develop subtle caramelization and prevent sticking. Cascade the prepared sauce over the noodles, using dynamic tossing techniques to ensure complete flavor coverage. Continue cooking for an additional 30-45 seconds, allowing the ingredients to meld and intensify their aromatic qualities.
Notes
- Prevent Noodle Clumping: Rinse udon noodles immediately after cooking with warm water and gently separate strands to stop them from sticking together, ensuring a smooth, silky texture.
- Customize Spice Levels: Adjust chili oil quantity based on personal heat tolerance, gradually adding more for intense flavor or reducing for milder preferences without compromising overall taste profile.
- Achieve Perfect Caramelization: Use high, consistent heat when stir-frying noodles to create delicate golden edges, which adds depth and enhances the dish’s visual and flavor complexity.
- Balance Sauce Consistency: Whisk sauce ingredients thoroughly to create a harmonious blend, ensuring even distribution of flavors and preventing separation during cooking, which guarantees a cohesive, glossy finish.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Japanese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 70 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg