What is Udon? How to Make Japanese Udon Noodles
Udon is a traditional Japanese dish enjoyed year-round refreshing and cold in summer, warm and comforting in winter. Adding dashi broth to udon soup enhances its flavor and makes it even more delicious. In this article, we introduce a simple way to prepare udon noodles for a delightful meal.
1. What is Udon?
Udon (うどん) refers to thick wheat-flour noodles commonly used in Japanese cuisine. It is a traditional dish that has been widely loved in Japan for centuries.
Typically served hot as a noodle soup, such as kake udon, udon is prepared with a lightly flavored broth called kakejiru, made from dashi, soy sauce, and mirin. It can also be enjoyed cold by dipping the noodles into a soy-based sauce called tsuyu, or stir-fried with vegetables and your choice of protein, such as chicken, beef, shrimp, or tofu.
2. Characteristics of Udon
Udon stands out for its smooth texture and neutral flavor. Its softness makes it easy to digest, making it a go-to dish during summer when appetites wane or for recovery during illness. The noodles are chewy and offer an excellent texture. Moreover, you can adjust the firmness of the noodles by controlling the boiling time, making it suitable even for children.
2.1. Types of Udon
Udon has a rich history in Japan and is known for its thick, chewy noodles. Made with a unique production process involving kneading, stretching, and drying the dough, udon noodles have a silky texture.
There are various ways to enjoy udon, including kake udon, zaru udon, grilled udon, kamaage udon, bukkake udon, kamatama udon, and hot pot udon. In addition to classic Japanese-style udon dishes, these noodles pair well with various sauces such as curry, pesto, miso, or gochujang!
2.2. Difference Between Udon and Soba Soups
Udon comes in many varieties, offering different textures and flavors. The taste of the soup plays a key role in the overall experience. Generally, udon soup is made using Japanese-style broths such as bonito stock or kelp stock, seasoned with light soy sauce.
The primary difference between udon soup and soba soup lies in the seasoning: udon soup uses light soy sauce, whereas soba soup is seasoned with dark soy sauce. Udon soup has a milder flavor, allowing room to emphasize the soup’s unique character.
3. How to Make Udon Soup with Dashi
When making udon soup, the broth’s flavor is crucial. Here's a simple Japanese-style recipe for udon soup using dashi.
Ingredients (Serves 2)
- 600cc dashi broth
- ½ tablespoons light soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon mirin
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- A pinch of salt
Instructions
- Prepare the dashi broth in a pot using bonito flakes, kelp, or a dashi packet.
- Add light soy sauce, mirin, sugar, and salt to the pot, then bring it to a boil.
4. Which Broth Best Suits Udon Soup?
The flavor of udon soup varies depending on the type of broth used. The most commonly recommended base is dashi, which brings out a rich, umami-packed flavor.
For a more pronounced soup flavor, use bonito broth (katsuo-dashi). This broth offers a subtle tangy aroma and refreshing taste, making it an excellent choice for highlighting the soup's depth. To elevate the flavor further, consider adding a touch of soy sauce.
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