Udon noodles are a classic Japanese dish. The dish is still very popular today not only in Japan but in many other places in the world. It can be served in soup or stir fried. Udon noodles are pretty fast and easy to prepare and is unlike any other types of noodles. This recipe is a play on a classic; different vegetables are added along with shrimp.

Step 1: Ingredients

For this yummy classic, you will need:

1 package of Udon noodles (these can be found in an Asian supermarket)
About 1 1/2 tablespoons of soy sauce
1 tablespoon of oyster sauce (this is thicker than soy sauce and has a sweeter flavor)
Garlic (this is to taste)
Ginger (also according to taste)
Vegetables (I used carrots, broccoli, asparagus, and celery)
Shrimp or meat (this is optional- without the shrimp or meat, this recipe would be vegan)
Some sugar and chicken bouillon

For equipment you need a wok and a saucepan.

Let's get started!

Step 2: Preparing the Udon Noodles

First fill a saucepan with water and set it to a boil. Open the udon noodle package and add it to the boiling water. Make sure to separate the noodles from each other because they tend to stick to each other in clumps. Boil for about 3 minutes.

Take the noodles out and put it in a separate bowl.

Step 3: Preparing the Rest of the Ingredients

I used frozen shrimp so I soaked that in water to defrost it. I also washed and chopped up the vegetables I would be using. Carrots, celery, asparagus, and broccoli are the kinds I used (I boiled them in water to soften them first). There can be many variations to this recipe. As said before, if you use just the udon and the vegetables, it would be a delicious vegan mean. Throw in some tofu for protein. Add some chicken or some beef. There are so many possibilities! This is also the time to prepare your garlic and ginger. Mince into small pieces and set aside for later use.

Step 4: Making and Adding the Sauce

Combine the soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, and chicken flavoring together in a dish. Take out your wok and add some oil. After it heats up, add the udon noodles and the sauce. Toss around for 5 minutes until evenly coated.

Step 5: Cooking the Vegetables

Add some more oil to the wok and add the ginger and garlic. Stir around and then cook the shrimp. Once the shrimp are cooked, add the vegetables and stir for about 5 to 7 minutes.

Step 6: Plating and Finish!

Add in the noodles and toss around for another 5 minutes and take off the heat. Plate you dish and now it's time to serve it up.

Classic Asian Udon Noodle Stir Fry is a great meal to make and its even better to eat. It's a great example of fine Asian cuisine that you can prepare right in your own home. Maybe make it for your next dinner or get together with friends.

Enjoy!

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7 Comments

jezz2k.

9 years ago on Introduction

Correction. Without the shrimp and the chicken boullion, the recipe would be vegan (and vegetarian, since shrimp are animals - maybe not mammals - but definitely part of the animal kingdom) Vegetarians and vegans avoid animal byproducts, such as chicken boullion. The only way of guaranteeing a product IS vegetarian, is by checking to see if it actually says vegetarian on the label. There are many products out there that use gelatine, carmine, rennet (in cheese), and so on. When cooking a meal for a vegetarian, never assume that what you serve them is 100% vegetarian. If they don't care too much about that, then they are pescatarian or flexitarian.