Description
Yaki Udon with Shrimp is a quick and flavorful Japanese stir-fried noodle dish featuring tender shrimp, fresh vegetables, and a savory sauce made from oyster sauce, dark soy sauce, and sesame oil. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, this recipe combines chewy udon noodles with crisp vegetables and succulent shrimp, all cooked together to create a deliciously satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pack (200g) udon noodles, preferably vacuum-packed
- 2 tablespoons neutral oil
- 8-10 shrimp, approx 100g
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 yellow onion, sliced
- 8 white mushrooms, sliced, approx 120g
- 1 carrot, cut matchstick-style
- 1 spring onion, green and white parts chopped separately
- 1 tablespoon regular soy sauce
- Pinch of salt and pepper
For The Sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 teaspoon dark soy sauce (NOT regular soy sauce)
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- ⅓ teaspoon freshly crushed black pepper
- 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Prepare the Udon Noodles: Boil the udon noodles according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain and rinse them under cold water to stop the cooking process. Drizzle some neutral oil over the noodles to prevent sticking and set them aside.
- Cook the Vegetables: Heat 1 tablespoon of neutral oil in a large pan over high heat. Add minced garlic and toast for about 1 minute until fragrant. Add sliced mushrooms and stir-fry until cooked through. Then add the sliced onions, white parts of the spring onions, and matchstick carrots. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes more. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper, then remove the vegetables from the pan and set aside.
- Cook the Shrimp: In the same pan, add an additional 1 tablespoon of oil (totaling 2 tablespoons). Fry the shrimp over high heat until they turn pink and are cooked through. Add 1 tablespoon of soy sauce and a pinch of salt while cooking to enhance flavor.
- Stir-fry the Udon Noodles: Add the prepared udon noodles to the pan with shrimp. Fry on high heat while stirring continuously so the noodles slightly crisp up evenly without burning.
- Add Sauce and Vegetables: Pour in the prepared sauce (oyster sauce, dark soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, black pepper, toasted sesame oil, and salt). Stir well to coat the noodles evenly. Then toss in the cooked vegetables and mix thoroughly.
- Finish and Serve: Turn off the heat and sprinkle the green parts of the spring onions over the dish. Transfer to a plate and serve immediately to enjoy the best flavors and texture.
Notes
- Using vacuum-packed udon noodles reduces cooking time and ensures the noodles stay chewy.
- Dark soy sauce adds color and a richer flavor; avoid substituting with regular soy sauce in the sauce mixture.
- Be sure to stir-fry on high heat for the best texture and slight crispness on the noodles.
- Adjust the amount of soy sauce and salt according to your taste and dietary needs.
- Spring onions add a fresh, mild onion flavor and an appealing garnish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Japanese
