How to Make Udon – A Traditional Japanese Noodle Recipe

 

Udon is one of Japan’s most iconic and comforting noodle dishes. These thick, chewy wheat noodles are served either in a hot, savoury broth or chilled with a dipping sauce. Versatile and satisfying, udon can be made at home with just a few simple ingredients. In this blog post, you’ll learn how to make udon noodles from scratch, including how to serve them in a classic Japanese broth, all written in British English and fully optimised for Google SEO.

--- published by foodie Parmod.

What Is Udon?

Udon (うどん) is a traditional Japanese noodle made from wheat flour, water, and salt. Known for their thick, soft, and chewy texture, udon noodles are enjoyed in a variety of dishes across Japan, from hot soups in winter to cold noodle salads in summer.

Popular udon dishes include:

Kake udon – served in a simple soy-based broth

Tempura udon – topped with crispy tempura

Curry udon – served in a rich Japanese curry sauce

Zaru udon – chilled and served with a dipping sauce

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Ingredients for Homemade Udon Noodles (Serves 2)

250g plain flour (or bread flour for more chewiness)

1 teaspoon salt

100ml cold water

Cornflour or potato starch, for dusting

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Ingredients for Udon Broth (Kake Udon Style)

500ml dashi stock (or substitute with good-quality vegetable stock)

2 tablespoons soy sauce

1 tablespoon mirin

1 teaspoon sugar (optional)

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Toppings (Optional but Recommended)

Sliced spring onions

Boiled egg or poached egg

Kamaboko (fish cake) or tofu

Wakame (dried seaweed)

Tempura prawns or vegetables

Toasted sesame seeds or shichimi togarashi (Japanese chilli spice)

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How to Make Udon – Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Make the Dough

In a mixing bowl, dissolve the salt in the cold water. Add the flour and mix until it forms a crumbly dough. Knead the dough by hand for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.

For an authentic method, place the dough in a clean plastic bag, wrap it in a tea towel, and knead it by stepping on it gently with your feet! This traditional technique helps develop the chewy texture.

Once kneaded, wrap the dough and let it rest for 1 hour at room temperature.

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2. Roll and Cut the Noodles

After resting, divide the dough in half. Dust your surface with cornflour and roll each half into a rectangle about 3mm thick. Fold the dough in thirds like a letter, then slice into noodles about 5mm wide.

Unfold the noodles and dust lightly with flour to prevent sticking.

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3. Cook the Udon Noodles

Bring a large pot of water to the boil. Add the noodles and cook for 8–10 minutes until tender but chewy. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and improve texture.

If serving hot, briefly reheat the noodles in hot water before serving.

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4. Prepare the Broth

In a saucepan, combine the dashi stock, soy sauce, mirin, and sugar. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 5 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.

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5. Assemble the Dish

Place the cooked udon noodles into a bowl. Pour the hot broth over the noodles and top with your chosen garnishes. Serve immediately and enjoy your homemade udon!

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Tips for Perfect Udon

Use bread flour for extra elasticity and chewiness.

Don’t skip the rinse – it stops the noodles overcooking and improves their texture.

Make extra and freeze the noodles before cooking for future meals.

Try different toppings to make each bowl unique.

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Udon Variations

Curry Udon – Combine Japanese curry with dashi broth for a hearty meal.

Nabeyaki Udon – Cooked in a clay pot with vegetables, egg, and prawns.

Zaru Udon – Cold udon served with dipping sauce, perfect for summer.

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How to make udon

Homemade udon noodles

Japanese udon recipe

Udon noodle soup recipe

Easy udon recipe UK

Udon broth recipe

How to cook udon noodles from scratch

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Final Thoughts

Learning how to make udon at home is a rewarding and delicious experience. With just a few ingredients and some patience, you can enjoy thick, chewy noodles in a warming broth or chilled with dipping sauce. Whether you’re craving something simple or want to explore Japanese cuisine further, homemade udon is a great place to start.

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Learn how to make udon noodles from scratch with this easy Japanese recipe. Includes homemade broth, toppings, and step-by-step instructions using British English – perfect for home cooks in the UK.

--- write ✍️ by foodie Parmod.

Would you like to try other noodle recipes like soba, ramen, or yakisoba? Let me know and I’ll share more tasty guides!