You can enjoy these delicious spicy udon noodles in just 15 minutes! Endlessly customizable, too. Add any vegetables or protein you like. Proving that delicious doesn’t need to be time-consuming!
If you have udon noodles in your pantry or freezer, you will always have a quick and easy dinner at the ready with this versatile spicy udon noodle recipe. And it’s ready in just about 15 minutes from start to finish!
Featured review
The sauce is amazing, and you can add any vegetables, so great way to clean out the fridge. If hot outside you can grill veggies on BBQ and add to noodle for a quick comforting meal! A definite favorite in this house, and feels like something I would order out for. This really keeps me on track in terms of healthy choices as I can up the veggies while still enjoying udon noodles. Love this as a great comforting and easy meal!!!!
– Kristine
Ingredients and substitutions
A few notes about the key ingredients …
Udon noodles – Frozen udon noodles are always my first choice. They are always ready to go, and I find they have better flavour and texture than the shelf-stable version. Ideally, they should be cooked in a large pot of boiling water for about 1 minute, but I find rinsing under cold water first, then soaking in very hot water for 10 minutes or so, works just as well, without the need to boil water and use another pot.
Shelf-stable udon noodles are another option. Soak these in hot water to loosen them up a bit before using.
Dried udon noodles will need to be cooked in a large pot of boiling water for about 10 minutes before using.
Sambal Oelek – This spicy Asian sauce is responsible for the spicy part of this stir-fry. If you’re not familiar with it, look for it in the Asian sauce section of your grocery. It’s fairly easy to find these days. Any spicy Asian-style sauce, such as Asian Chili Garlic Sauce or Sriracha will work.
Carrots – For a speedy dish, I suggest starting with store-bought, matchstick carrots. Another option is to use spiralized carrots. Simply chop the spiralized carrots into bite-sized pieces to prepare. Alternately, I would suggest just grating some carrots with a box grater to add to the stir fry.
How to make these spicy udon noodles
This is a visual summary of the steps to make this recipe. Always refer to the complete instructions in the Recipe Card below when making the recipe.
- Start by cooking the carrots in a bit of oil in a hot wok or skillet, then add the onion and cook until tender.
- Add some green onion to the wok.
- Add the udon noodles to the wok.
- Add the sauce to the wok and toss to coat well.
- Add some spinach to the wok.
- Toss the spinach with the noodles until wilted, then serve.
Recipe video
Recipe tips!
- Adjust the spiciness of these noodles to your taste by adding more or less of the Sambal.
- This recipe will serve 2 as a main dish or 4 as a side dish. To serve more, simply double the recipe!
Variations
Change up the vegetables! Pretty much any vegetable or green will work in the stir fry. The only consideration is how long it will take to cook in the pan. Be sure whatever you add is tender-crisp in the pan before you proceed with adding the noodles and sauce.
Add a protein! Chicken is a great addition to this dish, either cooked chicken or cook a bit of chicken in the wok before starting the stir fry (remove to a plate, then add back in towards the end, to warm).
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Get the Recipe: 15-Minute Spicy Udon Noodles
Ingredients
Stir Fry:
- 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil, or other neutral cooking oil
- 1/2 medium onion, sliced or diced
- 1 cup matchstick carrots, *see Note 1 below
- 1 cup green onion, sliced diagonally (green part only)
- 3 cups baby spinach
- 14 oz soft vacuum-packed udon noodles, *see Note 2 below
Sauce:
- 1-2 teaspoons Sambal Oelek, or Asian Chili Garlic Sauce/Sriracha, to taste
- 1/4 cup soy sauce, low-sodium recommended
- 2 teaspoons rice wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 Tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 Tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
For garnish:
- Sesame seeds
- Additional sliced green onion
- Fresh chopped parsley or cilantro
Instructions
- If using shelf-stable udon noodles, they can be added directly from the package to the hot pan. If using frozen, fresh or dried udon noodles, cook according to the package directions before adding to the pan.
- Prepare and gather your vegetables and set them aside. Mix up the sauce by combining all the sauce ingredients in a small bowl. Set aside. If you like, you can fill a large bowl with hot tap water and add udon noodles to the bowl to soak, so they can be separated before adding to the wok This isn't necessary though, as you can add fresh udon noodles directly from the package to the wok. I just find it easier to stir fry them having them separate before the go in to the wok.
- In a large frying pan or wok, heat the oil over medium-high heat until very hot. Add the carrots and cook, stirring for a minute or so. Add onions and cook, stirring, until onions are soft and carrots are tender. Add the green onion and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds or so.
- If soaking udon noodles, gently stir to loosen the udon noodles and separate them, then drain. Add the drained noodles (or cooked noodles, if using frozen or dried udon)to the wok and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds or so. Add the sauce and cook for another 30 seconds, stirring to combine well. Scatter the baby spinach over the top and cook, stirring constantly, until the spinach is wilted.
- Remove the noodles to a serving bowl or plates and garnish with sesame seeds, additional sliced green onion and parsley/cilantro.
Notes
More udon noodle recipes to love!
Hi! I’m Jennifer, a home cook schooled by trial and error and almost 40 years of getting dinner on the table! I love to share my favourite recipes, both old and new, together with lots of tips and tricks to hopefully help make your home cooking enjoyable, stress free, rewarding and of course, delicious!
Hello,
I love this recipe! However I never know which type of onion to use . Can you tell me if I am supposed to use red, white, or yellow onions?
Thank you!
Hi Michelle, When it comes to recipes, I always assume “onion” means yellow cooking onions and I use that assumption when I write recipes, as well. These are really the standard for onions. I rarely use white onions, unless specified in a recipe. Red onion is most often used in recipes where the onion is uncooked, as it is milder and adds great colour to salads etc. If you only want to buy one type of onion, keep an ample supply of yellow cooking onions of various sizes around. You can’t go wrong with that :)
I made these for dinner last night and they were delicious! Followed exactly then added chicken and red peppers to it as well. The sauce is so good! Can’t wait to eat the leftovers for lunch today! Thanks!
Glad you enjoyed it, Kate. One of my favourite quick and easy dishes and so customizable :)
I cooked these today and they were incredible! I played around with the veggies and made a bit more sauce to accommodate more veggies. SUPERB! Thanks for sharing :)
So glad you enjoyed it, Rojo :)
This is one of my family’s favorite meals! I’m making it again tonight!!
So glad you are all enjoying it, Katie! We had it this week, as well. This time I added broccoli and peanuts. It’s a bit different every time I make it, depending on what’s in my fridge that needs using up :)
Oh Jennifer, this stir fry looks mouthwatering! I also have a package of fat udon noodles in my pantry. Monday night is sorted!
Thanks Julia :) Enjoy!
This is by far the best foodie website ever!
Thanks so much, Cheryl :)
Nothing is more comforting than a big bowl of noodles. This looks so good, Jennifer! I’ve got several feet of snow to shovel out. Wish someone was making me this so I could come in the house to a warm bowl of stir fry!
Thanks Liz. I’ve been following your storm on the news. Sounds like you need a spicy bowl to warm you up! Stay warm :)
Thanks so much, Liren :)
I am a huge fan of sambal, so I love the sauce you’ve drizzled over these lovely udon! Delicious!
I’m all about a quick and tasty stir fry on a busy weeknight, this is a must make!
I’m sure you’d enjoy it, Laura!
Yes! I need to cook with udon more often. I love any noodle, but they have that great udon chew! This sounds so yummy (and meatless)! I need more quick meals in my arsenal like this…. 15 minutes is about all I’ve got so a lot of dinners lately have just been protein shakes! AHK!
Yes … the great udon chew! :) You will be amazed at how quickly this comes together, Sophie!
Thanks Jessica. I love my noodles super saucy :)
These noodles look incredible – love how saucy and deliciou they look. Love the easy dinner ideas too – I always need more of those!
Oh my. My boyfriend is the biggest stir-fry fan I know. Udon are his go-to noodles. And spicy? Well, duh! He would just love this. As do I!
Thanks Sarah. I’m such a fan of udon noodles, too and love these spice in this one :)
I’m a big fan of udon too! But I’ve never made it at home. Love, love, love this!
Thanks Katrina. You’ll love how quick and easy it is, too!
Hello. I just cooked and served your recipe and it was delicious!! I added chicken and colored peppers. This is definitely a noodle recipe to keep!!
So glad you enjoyed it and yes, it’s great for adding whatever you have around to use up :)