Description
There’s something deeply comforting about a bowl of noodles that comes together in minutes but tastes like it took hours. This kimchi udon recipe is my go-to when life gets busy but my taste buds demand something extraordinary. It’s the kind of dish that proves you don’t need fancy ingredients or complicated techniques to create something truly delicious.
Ingredients
Scale
- 14 ounces udon noodles (fresh, frozen, or dried)
- 1 cup kimchi, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons kimchi juice (from the jar)
- 1 tablespoon gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon sugar or honey
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
- Optional: fried egg, sliced nori, or protein of choice
Instructions
- Prepare the Noodles: Cook your udon noodles according to package directions. Drain well and set aside.
- Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the gochujang, soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, and kimchi juice.
- Stir Fry Everything Together: Heat vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and stir for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the chopped kimchi and stir fry for 2-3 minutes until it becomes slightly caramelized around the edges. Pour in the sauce mixture and let it bubble for about a minute. Add the cooked udon noodles and toss everything together until the noodles are evenly coated and heated through, about 2-3 minutes.
- Finish and Serve: Remove from heat and garnish with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds. For an extra treat, top with a perfectly fried egg.
Notes
Leftover kimchi udon keeps well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, add a splash of water or broth and warm gently in a skillet over medium heat. The most common error is using fresh, unfermented kimchi. Well-fermented kimchi with its tangy, complex flavor is essential for authentic taste.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stir-frying
- Cuisine: Korean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 980mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 68g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 0mg