Stir-fried udon is a delicious and complete Japanese noodle dish that combines, in one serving, chewy udon noodles, multicolored vegetables, and a rich, savory sauce.

The dish fits perfectly into that kind of quick yet hearty meal. You'll learn some basic moves to give it your touch. Here's all you need to know to make delicious stir-fried udon at home.

1. What is Udon?

Udon is a type of thick, chewy Japanese noodle made with wheat flour. Versatile, udon is usually served in soups, but the texture and neutral flavor make it perfect for stir-fries as it absorbs sauces well and marries with many ingredients. Fresh udon noodles work best for stir-frying since they hold their chewy texture better and are less likely to break apart.

2. Ingredients Used

For a classic stir-fried udon, you will need to have the following main ingredients available:

Udon noodles: Fresh and frozen udon is fine. If you happen to have dried udon only, then cook them slightly less than instructed since they will keep cooking during the stir-frying.

Vegetables: The most commonly used ones are bell peppers, onions, carrots, cabbage, and green onions. You can also add mushrooms or spinach to increase the flavor more.

Protein: Adding chicken, shrimp, meat, or tofu as a source of protein, cooks quickly and absorbs well with the sauce.

Sauce: The savory, slightly sweet sauce is based on soy sauce, oyster sauce, and a touch of sesame oil. Added optional ingredients include sa/ke for depth and a pinch of sugar or honey to balance out these rich flavors.

3. Stir-Fried Udon Recipe Step-by-Step

Following is the simplest recipe for delicious stir-fried udon:

1. Prepare noodles: Gently separate fresh udon. For frozen udon, cook briefly in boiling water, then drain.

2. Cook your protein: Heat up a pan with some oil, stir-frying your protein until almost cooked. Set it aside.

3. Stir-fry the vegetables: Add more oil to the pan, then cook your vegetables over medium-high heat. Start with harder vegetables like carrots and bell peppers, followed by softer ones like onions or mushrooms.

4. Combine everything: Add the noodles and protein back into the pan. Pour in your sauce ingredients and stir everything together until it's well coated and heated through.

5.Garnish and serve: Garnish with chopped green onions or sesame seeds if desired for additional flavor and texture. Serve hot.

4. Health Benefits of Udon and Ingredients

Udon noodles are a great source of carbohydrates and some fiber. Stir-fried udon balances itself with all the essential nutrients if combined with vegetables and proteins. The use of a variety of colorful vegetables amplifies the content of vitamins and minerals, while adding lean proteins like chicken or tofu keeps it healthy.

How About You, Lyykers?

Any of you Lyykers stir-fry udon at home yourselves? Is it with some old recipe you have, or do you add in some of your own favorite ingredients? Share unique twists and tricks in the comments