Description
Craving a quick meal? Enjoy this easy beef udon noodles stir fry with tender, thinly sliced beef, fresh, chewy udon noodles, and a bold stir-fry sauce—perfect for busy weeknights!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound fresh udon noodles (found in the refrigerated section at regular and Asian grocery stores)
- 10 ounces stir-frying beef (thinly sliced, like flank steak cut against the grain into long, thin pieces)
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 medium baby bok choy (or pak choi, sliced into quarters)
- 2 large cremini mushrooms (sliced into 1/8-inch pieces)
- 1/3 cup shredded carrot
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons chopped garlic (minced)
- 1/2 medium white onion (sliced thinly)
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
- 2.5 tablespoons mirin
- 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon white sugar
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch or tapioca starch (to thicken the sauce)
- 2 stalks green onions (sliced into 1/8-inch pieces)
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prep the Noodles: Bring a pot of water to a boil and blanch the fresh udon noodles for 2 minutes. Drain using a wire mesh strainer. Avoid overcooking to maintain their chewy texture.
- Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, dark soy sauce, mirin, sesame oil, sugar, and cornstarch until smooth. Set aside.
- Tenderize the Beef: Place the thinly sliced beef in a bowl, add 1/2 teaspoon baking soda and 1 tablespoon of the sauce, and let it marinate for a few minutes to become tender.
- Stir-Fry: Heat a large skillet or wok on medium-high heat with vegetable oil. Once hot, add the minced garlic and lightly fry for about 10-15 seconds.
- Cook the beef. Add the beef slices and stir-fry for about 2 minutes until the meat gets a nice sear.
- Toss in the vegetables—baby bok choy, cremini mushrooms, and shredded carrot. Stir-fry for another 3 minutes until the veggies are slightly tender.
- Combine and Serve: Add the blanched udon noodles and pour in the prepared sauce. Toss everything together for 2-3 minutes so the noodles soak up the flavors of the sauce.
- Adjust to taste: Stir in green onions and sesame seeds (save some for garnishing.) Taste test, and adjust the seasoning with a splash of light soy sauce or extra mirin if needed. Transfer to a serving platter and garnish with sesame seeds and extra green onions. Enjoy your delicious beef udon stir-fry hot!
Notes
- Cut the Beef Thin: For tender beef that cooks quickly, slice against the grain into long, thin pieces.
- Don’t Overcook the Noodles: Blanch for just 2 minutes to keep that ideal chewy texture.
- Sauce is the Star: The flavors of the sauce—soy sauce, mirin, and sesame oil—are key. Use authentic Thai or Japanese brands if possible.
- Extra Kick: For a bit of heat, add a pinch of red or chilli flakes. Customize it to your taste!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: noodles
- Method: stir frying
- Cuisine: Japanese