These Garlic Chili Udon Noodles are incredibly delicious and ready in 15 minutes! Soft, bouncy udon noodles are coated in a spicy, savoury sauce with crisp-tender broccolini. Skip the takeout and make this easy recipe at home.
The Noodles Everyone’s Talking About: A Must-Try!
Quick and flavourful chili garlic udon is perfect for busy days when you need a satisfying meal in a hurry. With chewy, thick noodles that are fun to slurp, you can easily customize it with your favourite veggies or plant protein for a more filling dish. This versatility is one of the many reasons this recipe is a winner!
These spicy garlic udon noodles are budget-friendly and so tasty that they surpass takeout. If you’re as obsessed with noodles as I am, check out my other favourites, like my Vegan Curry Udon and Teriyaki Udon.
Different Types Of Udon Noodles
Udon noodles, thick and chewy, are made from wheat flour and are popular in Japan and other Asian countries. They come in several varieties and are available at large grocery stores or Asian markets.
- Frozen Udon: Known as “Sanuki-style,” these typically come in packs of five 8-ounce bricks. Ideal for stir-fries, they offer an authentic, thick and bouncy texture.
- Refrigerated Fresh Udon: Available in Asian markets near the tofu. Softer and less firm, it is great for soups and a good substitute if you can’t find frozen udon.
- Pre-Packaged Shelf Stable Udon: Found in the dry section near ramen. Due to additives, it may have a sour aftertaste. If you find a brand you like, it can work in this recipe.
- Dried Udon: Flat and stick-like, these need to be cooked like pasta. They lack the chewy texture and tend to get mushy, so they aren’t my preferred choice for this recipe.
Recipe Ingredients
Udon Noodles – I like using the frozen kind “Sanuki-style” udon noodles since they have the best authentic texture. You can substitute with fresh or packaged shelf stable udon.
Broccolini – I love broccolini because its thinner stalks are perfect for tossing with noodles. You can also use your favourite vegetable instead.
Cooking Oil – I like to use a neutral flavoured oil like olive oil, avocado oil or canola oil.
Green Onion & Garlic – Adds aromatic flavour to the stir fry.
Red Pepper Flakes – Added for spiciness.
Stir Fry Sauce – Consists of soy sauce, dark soy sauce (for colour), sugar, rice vinegar, and sesame oil.
Cilantro & Sesame Seeds – Adds fresh flavour and texture.
How To Make It
- Boil a pot of water, add frozen udon.
- Add chopped broccolini, cook noodles and broccolini for 2-3 mins, then drain.
- Heat oil in a large non-stick pan over medium-high heat. Sauté green onion, garlic and red pepper flakes until fragrant (2-3 mins).
- Toss in cooked noodles and broccolini.
- Add soy sauce, dark soy sauce, sugar, rice vinegar, and sesame oil, stir to coat.
- Mix in fresh chopped cilantro.
- Stir until combined and heated through.
- Garnish with more cilantro and sesame seeds and enjoy!
👩🏻🍳 Jazz’s Tips
- Measure out all your ingredients before you start cooking, the stir frying process goes quick.
- Don’t overcook the udon noodles, if using the frozen kind they only need to cook for 2-3 mins
- Use a large non stick pan to make sure nothing sticks during the cooking process.
- Serve immediately as stir fried noodles are always best eaten right away
Frequently Asked Questions
You can find udon noodles at almost all large grocery stores in the Asian aisle and at any Asian grocery market. And yes most udon noodles are vegan friendly since they are made from wheat flour, water and sometimes tapioca starch.
Yes in a pinch you can substitute regular soy sauce for dark soy sauce. But I highly recommend if you can find dark soy sauce to use it in this recipe since it is thicker and sweeter than regular soy sauce.
Yes! I think extra firm tofu or a plant based chicken alternative would work well. If you plan on adding a protein, I recommend doubling the sauce and adding the extra amount of sauce to your taste.
MORE TASTY ASIAN RECIPES
Stir-Fried Garlic Chili Udon Noodles
Ingredients
- 250g of frozen udon (one brick)
- 2 cups broccolini, chopped
- 1 1/2 tbsp cooking oil
- 4 stalks of green onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1/2 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Bring a medium size pot to a boil, add the frozen udon noodles and the chopped broccolini on top, cook both the frozen udon and broccolini for 2-3 mins. Drain and set aside.
- In a large non stick pan over medium high heat add the cooking oil, green onion, garlic, and red pepper flakes cook until until fragrant about 2-3 mins.
- Gently toss in the cooked udon and broccolini.
- Add the soy sauce, dark soy sauce, sugar, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Stir until everything is coated in the sauce.
- Add your fresh chopped cilantro.
- Stir until combined and heated through.
- Garnish with more fresh cilantro and sesame seeds (optional) and serve immediately!
Video
Notes
- Measure out all your ingredients before you start cooking, the stir frying process goes quick.
- Don’t overcook the udon noodles, if using the frozen kind they only need to cook for 2-3 mins
- Use a large non stick pan to make sure nothing sticks during the cooking process.
- Serve immediately as stir fried noodles are always best eaten right away.
This looks amazing! I haven’t found frozen udon noodles yet, but wonder if I can freeze the fresh ones found at my grocery story to have them on hand. Do you know if these fresh noodles can just be placed in the freezer?
Thank you!
Val
Hi Valerie, thank you so much! Yes you can freeze the fresh udon in a freezer safe bag for up to 1 month. I hope you enjoy the recipe! ❤️
Thanks so much for another fabulous recipe, can’t wait to try it
Thank you Cathy! Hope you enjoy! 🙂
This was delicious and I appreciate the break down of the different kinds of udon noodles! It took a bit of shopping but I found frozen udon and it really does make all the difference!
Happy to hear that you were able to find frozen udon and that the break down of the different kinds of udon was helpful! So glad you enjoyed the recipe April!
Okay yum! I cannot wait to make this! Everything about this recipe sounds amazing! Thank you!
Thank you so much Michelle!
I use butter to make them, and these turned out so delicious! Thumbs up to these beautifully clicked pictures!!
So happy you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you so much Any! 🙂
This is one of the best, simple and comforting bowl! We love noodles and this version would be great for weeknight dinners.
This garlic chili udon is incredible! Definitely a new favorite healthy stir fry recipe!
Easy and flavorful! Very nice recipe – thanks!
I make this recipe all the time. Its easy to make, taste great, and I even add lemon to add a bit of citrus. This pairs great with an egg drop soup or miso soup.
This vegan recipes looks incredible and easy enough to prepare. This surely is becoming a favorite vegan website for me.