Yaki Udon Stir Fried Noodles with Vegetables and Meat Recipe
Yaki Udon is a delicious and quick Japanese stir-fried noodle dish featuring thick, chewy udon noodles tossed with a savory sauce, ground meat, and fresh stir-fry vegetables. This recipe balances the rich umami flavors of soy sauce, oyster sauce, and mirin with the sweetness of brown sugar and the freshness of scallions, offering a comforting and satisfying meal perfect for weeknight dinners.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stirfrying
- Cuisine: Japanese
Ingredients
Scale
Udon Noodle Stir-Fry
- 2 packets udon noodles (total 13 oz vacuum packed noodles)
- 2½ cups stir fry vegetables, chopped (mushrooms, bok choy, onions)
- 2 stalks scallions, cut 2 inches long
- ½ lb ground meat (beef, chicken, turkey, pork, or shrimp)
- 1 Tablespoon avocado oil
Yaki Udon Noodle Sauce
- 2½ Tablespoons dark soy sauce
- 2 Tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 Tablespoon mirin
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon rice wine vinegar
Instructions
- Prepare the Noodles: Open the vacuum-packed udon noodles and gently separate them if needed. Set aside while you prepare the sauce and other ingredients.
- Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, combine 2½ tablespoons dark soy sauce, 2 tablespoons oyster sauce, 1 tablespoon mirin, 2 teaspoons brown sugar, and ½ teaspoon rice wine vinegar. Stir until the sugar dissolves and set aside.
- Cook the Ground Meat: Heat 1 tablespoon of avocado oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the ground meat of your choice (beef, chicken, turkey, pork, or shrimp) and cook until browned and fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes. Break the meat apart as it cooks for even browning.
- Add Vegetables: Add the chopped stir fry vegetables (mushrooms, bok choy, onions) and 2-inch scallion pieces to the pan with the cooked meat. Stir-fry for about 3-4 minutes or until the vegetables start to soften but still retain some crunch.
- Add Noodles and Sauce: Gently add the prepared udon noodles to the skillet, pouring the sauce mixture over everything. Toss carefully to combine all ingredients and coat the noodles evenly with the sauce. Stir-fry for an additional 2-3 minutes until heated through.
- Finish and Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Remove from heat and serve the yaki udon immediately, garnished with extra scallions or sesame seeds if desired.
Notes
- Note 1: Vacuum-packed udon noodles typically come precooked and only need to be rinsed under hot water or warmed in the pan before stir-frying.
- Note 2: Dark soy sauce provides a richer color and deeper flavor than regular soy sauce; use dark soy for authenticity.
- Note 3: Oyster sauce adds a savory umami depth; vegetarian substitutes can be used if preferred.
- Note 4: Mirin is a sweet rice wine essential in Japanese cooking; if unavailable, a mix of sugar and white wine or sake can substitute.
Keywords: Yaki Udon, stir fried udon noodles, Japanese noodles, quick dinner, easy stir fry, ground meat udon, mushroom bok choy noodles