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- Udon noodles: 2 servings - Sesame oil: 2 tablespoons - Soy sauce: 1 tablespoon - Chili paste: 1 tablespoon - Honey or maple syrup: 2 teaspoons - Garlic: 1 clove, minced - Ginger: 1 teaspoon, grated - Red bell pepper: 1 small, thinly sliced - Cucumber: 1 small, julienned - Green onions: 2, chopped - Sesame seeds: 1 tablespoon - Fresh cilantro for garnish Gather all the ingredients before you start. This makes cooking easier and faster. Udon noodles are thick and chewy, perfect for this dish. The sesame oil adds a rich flavor. Soy sauce gives it that savory kick. Chili paste brings in the heat, but you can adjust it to your taste. Honey or maple syrup balances the spice with some sweetness. Minced garlic and grated ginger add zest. The red bell pepper gives color and crunch. Fresh cucumber and green onions add a refreshing touch. Finally, sesame seeds and cilantro make for a beautiful garnish. You can find these ingredients at most grocery stores. They are easy to prepare and make your meal both tasty and vibrant. Mixing these flavors will make your udon noodles pop. Enjoy the process! {{ingredient_image_1}} Start by boiling water in a large pot. You want a rolling boil. Add the udon noodles carefully. Cook them for about 5-7 minutes, or until they are soft but still firm. Once cooked, drain the noodles in a colander. Rinse them under cold water. This stops the cooking process and keeps them from getting mushy. In a small bowl, whisk together the sesame oil, soy sauce, and chili paste. Add honey or maple syrup for a touch of sweetness. Then, mix in the minced garlic and grated ginger. Blend everything well until you have a smooth sauce. Taste it. If you want more heat, add more chili paste. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced red bell pepper. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until it softens slightly. Stir occasionally to avoid burning. You want the peppers to be tender but still bright and crunchy. Add the cooked udon noodles to the skillet. Pour the sauce over the noodles and bell pepper. Gently toss everything together. Make sure every noodle gets coated with sauce. This step is key for flavor. Now it's time to add the fresh ingredients. Stir in the julienned cucumber and chopped green onions. Mix until just combined. Cook for another 2 minutes to warm everything through. For a beautiful presentation, serve the noodles in deep bowls. Sprinkle sesame seeds and fresh cilantro on top. A drizzle of extra sesame oil adds flavor and shine. Add lime wedges on the side for extra zest. To make the best sauce, you can adjust the flavors. This means balancing sweet, spicy, and savory notes. Start with the basics: sesame oil and soy sauce. If you want more heat, add more chili paste. For sweetness, adjust the honey or maple syrup. You can use fresh ingredients for a vibrant taste. Fresh garlic and ginger give a big flavor boost. Bottled ingredients are convenient but may lack freshness. Cooking udon noodles takes a little attention. Make sure to boil them just right. Overcooked noodles can become mushy. Follow package instructions closely, usually around 5-7 minutes. Rinse the noodles with cold water after cooking. This stops the cooking process and keeps them firm. If you want a different method, try stir-frying them in a pan. This adds a nice texture. For a beautiful presentation, serve the noodles in deep bowls. Drizzle a little sesame oil on top for shine. Sprinkle sesame seeds and fresh cilantro for color. You can also add lime wedges on the side. This gives a zesty finish that brightens the dish. To make it a full meal, pair it with a light drink like green tea or a crisp salad. Pro Tips Adjust the Heat: Feel free to modify the amount of chili paste based on your spice tolerance. Start with less and add more as needed. Fresh Ingredients Matter: Using fresh vegetables like bell pepper and cucumber will enhance the flavor and texture of your dish. Garnish for Flair: A sprinkle of sesame seeds and cilantro not only adds visual appeal but also brings fresh flavors to the dish. Make it a Meal: For a heartier dish, consider adding protein such as tofu, chicken, or shrimp to the noodles. {{image_2}} You can boost your spicy sesame udon noodles with protein. Here are some tasty options: - Chicken: Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts. Cook in a skillet for about 6-8 minutes until golden brown. Slice them thin before adding to the noodles. - Tofu: For a plant-based option, use firm tofu. Cube it and sauté for 5-7 minutes until crispy. Add it to the noodles for a hearty bite. - Shrimp: Fresh or frozen shrimp works well here. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until they turn pink. Toss them in with your noodles for extra flavor. You can mix in more veggies for color and crunch. Try these: - Carrots: Shred or julienne them for a sweet touch. Sauté for about 2-3 minutes. - Snap Peas: These add a nice snap! Toss them in for the last minute of cooking. - Broccoli: Steam or sauté florets for 4-5 minutes until tender. They add great texture. When changing veggies, adjust the sauce a bit. You might need a splash more soy sauce or chili paste to balance flavors. If you need a gluten-free option, don’t worry! Here are some ideas: - Gluten-Free Udon: Look for brands made from rice or buckwheat. They cook similarly but may need less time. - Other Noodles: You can also use rice noodles or zucchini noodles for a fresh twist. When using gluten-free options, check the sauce. Make sure your soy sauce is gluten-free or switch to tamari. Adjustments will help keep that rich flavor without gluten. To keep your spicy sesame udon noodles fresh, store them in an airtight container. This helps lock in flavor and moisture. For best results, let the noodles cool down before sealing. You can keep them in the fridge for up to 3 days. - Use glass containers for easy reheating. - Label the container with the date. When it’s time to enjoy your leftovers, reheating correctly is key. You want to keep the noodles tender. The best method is to use a skillet or a microwave. - For the skillet: Heat over medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring often. - For the microwave: Heat in 30-second bursts, stirring in between. Aim for 1-2 minutes total. If you want to save some for later, freezing is a great option. You can freeze both the noodles and sauce. - Let everything cool completely before freezing. - Place the noodles and sauce in separate freezer-safe bags. Squeeze out air to prevent freezer burn. To thaw, move the bags to the fridge for a few hours or overnight. Reheat as mentioned above for the best texture. Udon noodles are thick, chewy noodles made from wheat flour. They have a smooth texture that absorbs flavors well. When cooked, they become soft yet firm, which adds a satisfying bite to dishes. Udon noodles work great in soups, stir-fries, and salads. Yes, you can make this dish vegan easily. Replace honey with maple syrup or agave nectar. For proteins, use tofu or tempeh instead of meat. These swaps keep the dish flavorful and satisfying while following a vegan diet. To control the heat, start with a small amount of chili paste. Mix in one tablespoon, taste, and add more if you want extra spice. You can also use milder chili options, like red pepper flakes, to tone down the heat level. These noodles pair well with many side dishes. Try serving them with steamed edamame, a fresh cucumber salad, or crispy spring rolls. A light Asian slaw or miso soup also complements the flavors nicely. The total time to make this dish is about 20 minutes. You will spend 10 minutes prepping the ingredients and another 10 minutes cooking. This quick recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or a tasty lunch! This guide on Spicy Sesame Udon Noodles offers a clear recipe and helpful tips. You learned about key ingredients, strong flavor combinations, and fresh options for garnishing. Experiment with proteins and veggies to make it your own. Use proper methods for cooking and storing to enjoy this dish longer. I hope you feel confident to try this recipe today. Enjoy your delicious journey with udon!

Spicy Sesame Udon Noodles

A flavorful dish of udon noodles tossed in a spicy sesame sauce with fresh vegetables.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Asian
Servings 2
Calories 400 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 servings udon noodles
  • 2 tablespoons sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon chili paste
  • 2 teaspoons honey or maple syrup
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
  • 1 small red bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 1 small cucumber, julienned
  • 2 green onions chopped
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
  • 1 bunch fresh cilantro for garnish

Instructions
 

  • In a large pot of boiling water, cook the udon noodles according to package instructions, typically around 5-7 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the sesame oil, soy sauce, chili paste, honey (or maple syrup), minced garlic, and grated ginger until well combined.
  • In a large skillet over medium heat, add the sliced red bell pepper and sauté for 2-3 minutes until slightly softened.
  • Add the cooked udon noodles to the skillet with the sautéed bell pepper. Pour the prepared sauce over the noodles and toss everything together gently until evenly coated.
  • Stir in the julienned cucumber and chopped green onions, mixing until just combined. Cook for another 2 minutes to warm through.
  • Divide the spicy sesame udon noodles into serving bowls and sprinkle with sesame seeds and fresh cilantro for garnish.

Notes

Serve the noodles in deep bowls, drizzling a little extra sesame oil on top before garnishing with cilantro and sesame seeds. Add lime wedges on the side for a zesty finish.
Keyword sesame, spicy, udon noodles, vegetarian