
Yaki Udon (Stir-Fried Udon Noodles)
Thick, bouncy udon noodles stir-fried with pork, cabbage, carrot and mushrooms in a savoury soy and oyster sauce, topped with bonito flakes. A 25-minute weeknight favourite.
Servings
Ingredients
Nutrition
Per serving
Steps

Loosen the udon
Bring the water to a boil in a pot and cook the noodles for 1 minute, just to loosen them. Drain and rinse briefly under cold water, then set aside.
- 2 portions (about 400 g) noodles
- 1.5 liters water
✅ Done when: noodles are loose and no longer stuck together

Mix the sauce
In a small bowl, stir together the soy sauce, , and sugar until the sugar dissolves.
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp
- 1 tbsp
- 1 tsp sugar
✅ Done when: sauce is smooth with no sugar grains visible
Stir-fry the pork and vegetables
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Add the noodles
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Serve
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Loosen the udon
Bring the water to a boil in a pot and cook the noodles for 1 minute, just to loosen them. Drain and rinse briefly under cold water, then set aside.
- 2 portions (about 400 g) noodles
- 1.5 liters water
✅ Done when: noodles are loose and no longer stuck together

Mix the sauce
In a small bowl, stir together the soy sauce, , and sugar until the sugar dissolves.
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp
- 1 tbsp
- 1 tsp sugar
✅ Done when: sauce is smooth with no sugar grains visible
Stir-fry the pork and vegetables
This step is part of Foodie Premium. Subscribe to unlock the full method, cooking mode and every recipe in the library.
Add the noodles
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Serve
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The Story Behind the Dish
Yaki udon is said to have been born in Kokura, Kitakyushu, just after the Second World War, when a shop owner ran out of yakisoba noodles and used udon instead.
It quickly spread across Japan as a cheap, filling dish for izakaya and home kitchens.
⭐ Why It's Famous
The thick noodles soak up the sauce and stay chewy, making it heartier than yakisoba.
💡 Fun Fact
In izakaya, yaki udon is a popular 'shime', the filling dish ordered at the end of a night of drinks and small plates.
Kitakyushu, Fukuoka
33.88°N, 130.88°E
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