Noodlepedia
A glossary of both familiar and lesser-known Asian ingredients and terms.
Udon Noodles
Thick, chewy Japanese noodles made from wheat flour—perfect for soups or stir-fries.
Pro Tip: Soak in hot water for a few minutes to reheat—no need to boil!
How to Use It:
- Add to broth for a quick noodle soup
- Stir-fry with veggies and sauce
- Serve chilled with dipping sauce
1. Creamy Miso Mushroom Udon
Vibe: Cozy, slurpy, umami-heavy comfort food. Think Japanese-style mac & cheese but way sexier.
🛒 Ingredients:
1 pack store-bought udon noodles
1 tbsp neutral oil or butter
2 cups mixed mushrooms (shiitake, cremini, oyster—whatever’s on hand)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp white miso paste
1/4 cup heavy cream or coconut milk
1/2 cup veggie or chicken broth (low sodium)
1 tsp soy sauce
Green onions + sesame seeds to finish
👩🍳 Instructions:
Sauté mushrooms in oil/butter until golden and caramelized.
Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
Stir in miso paste and a splash of broth to help dissolve it.
Add remaining broth, cream, and soy sauce. Let simmer for a few minutes until slightly thickened.
Add udon noodles (rinsed and separated if pre-cooked) and toss until coated and hot.
Top with green onions, sesame seeds, or chili oil if you’re feeling spicy.
✨ Why people love it: One pan, creamy and cozy with deep umami richness. Feels indulgent, but it’s quick.
2. Spicy Beef Stir-Fried Udon
Vibe: Smoky wok-charred noodles, sticky-sweet beef, and a hit of chili. Quick, dirty, and packed with flavor.
🛒 Ingredients:
1 pack store-bought udon noodles
1/2 lb thinly sliced beef (ribeye, flank, or sukiyaki cut)
1/2 onion, sliced
1/2 bell pepper, julienned
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp oyster sauce
1 tbsp gochujang or sriracha
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp sesame oil
2 green onions, chopped
👩🍳 Instructions:
Mix soy sauce, oyster sauce, gochujang/sriracha, sugar, and sesame oil. Set aside.
Sear beef in a hot skillet until browned and just cooked. Remove.
Stir-fry onions and bell peppers until tender with a bit of char.
Add udon noodles and the sauce mixture. Toss well.
Return beef to the pan and mix everything until saucy and slightly sticky.
Garnish with green onions or a fried egg if you wanna go deluxe.
🔥 Why it works: It’s fast, spicy, and makes those chewy udon noodles sing. You could eat this three nights in a row and still crave more.