Yes! You can be enjoying this Spicy Udon Stir Fry in just 15 minutes! Endlessly customizable. Add any vegetables or protein you like. Proving that delicious doesn’t need to be time consuming!
Why you’ll love this quick and easy udon noodles recipe!
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 recipe. And this udon stir fry is ready in just about 15 minutes from start to finish.
This stir fry is a great base recipe, that can be easily changed up depending on what you have around or to use up odds and ends in the fridge. Feel free to add in a protein like chicken, shrimp or pork, if you’d like a meatier meal. Extra vegetables, such as mushrooms, bell peppers, bean sprouts, shredded cabbage or just about anything else you have around would also be a great addition.
Different Types of Udon Noodles
Frozen Udon Noodles (My Favourite) – frozen udon noodles are always my first choice for udon. 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 rising 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 dirty another pot.
Shelf-Stable Udon Noodles – these are the udon noodles usually sold in smaller, vacuum-packed packages and found on the shelf, usually in the Asian section of the grocery story. They are wonderfully convenient. I like to soak these in hot water to loosen them up a bit, before adding to the stir fry, though it’s not absolutely necessary, as they can go right from the package to the pot.
Semi-dried udon noodles – should be cooked in a large pot of boiling water for about 8 minutes.
Dried udon noodles – need to cook in a large pot of boiling water for about 10 minutes. Test for doneness by removing noodle from pot, running it under cold water, then biting. Udon shouldn’t be hard in the middle.
How to Make this Spicy Udon Stir Fry: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Gather your ingredients and mix up your sauce.
Step 2: Heat oil in your wok over medium-high heat and set your noodles to soak, if you like. Then add the carrots and onions and stir in the hot wok until softened.
Step 3: Add the noodles and stir fry a bit to remove any water on them. Add the sauce and toss to coat. Finally, add the spinach and stir fry until the spinach is wilted. Spoon into bowls, garnish and serve!
Recipe Video
Ingredient and Cook’s Notes
- For the sauce, the Sambal Oelek 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 (Asian Chili Garlic Sauce/Sriracha etc.) will work though. If you’re not wanting it too spicy, start with 1 tsp. of the Sambal Oelek and work your way up, as needed. Sambal Oelek packs a punch, so a little goes a long way.
- I like to soak shelf-stable or frozen udon in water a bit ahead, so I can separate them before adding them to the wok. It’s not necessary, but it does make it easier to stir fry them without breaking them. Alternately, you can add shelf-stable udon noodles directly from the package to the wok.
- If you want to try this using dried udon, you’ll obviously need to cook them before adding to the wok. You may also need to increase the sauce ingredients, as I suspect dried noodles might soak up a bit more that the fresh ones. Truth be told though, I am not a fan of dried udon and don’t think they’re nearly worth the extra work of having to boil them.
- For the carrots, I suggest spiralized carrots, as they cook up quickly in a stir fry. You can either use store-bought spiralized carrots or spiralize your own at home (I have one of these simple handheld spiralizers (affiliate link) that works great!). Simply chop the spiralized carrots into bite-sized pieces to prepare. Store-bought, spiralized carrots tend to be a little thicker, so allow a bit more cooking time at the start to get them tender, before adding the onions. Alternately, I would suggest just grating some carrot on a box grater to add to the stir fry. Match-sticking them is an option, but it’s time consuming. Bottom line, just keep the carrots small and thin or they won’t cook up well in a quick stir fry. 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).
Get the Recipe: 15 Minute Spicy Udon Stir Fry
Ingredients
Stir Fry:
- 1 Tbsp vegetable oil, or other neutral cooking oil
- 1/2 medium onion, sliced or diced
- 1 medium carrot, spiralized and chopped or grated
- 1 cup green onion, sliced diagonally (green part only)
- 3 cups baby spinach
- 14 oz soft vacuum-packed udon noodles, or see Notes for other types of udon you can use(400g)
Sauce:
- 1-2 tsp Sambal Oelek, or Asian Chili Garlic Sauce/Sriracha, to taste
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tsp rice wine vinegar
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 Tbsp fresh ginger, minced
For garnish:
- Sesame seeds
- Additional sliced green onion
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley or cilantro
Instructions
- Prepare your vegetables and set aside. Mix up the sauce by combining all the 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 oil over medium-high heat until very hot. Add carrots and cook, stirring for a minute or so. Add onions and cook, stirring, until onions are soft and carrots are tender. Add green onion and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds or so.
- If soaking udon noodles, gently stir to loosen udon noodles and separate, then drain. Add drained noodles (or unsoaked noodles)to the wok and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds or so. (Stir fry a little longer is soaked, to cook off any extra water before adding the sauce). Add sauce and cook for another 30 second, stirring to combine well. Scatter baby spinach over top and cook, stirring constantly, until spinach is wilted.
- Remove stir fry to a bowl or plate and garnish with sesame seeds, additional sliced green onion and parsley/cilantro.
Notes
More udon recipes you might also like …
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!
This was fantastic! A bit too salty (even though I used low-sodium soy sauce) so next time I might substitute some veg broth for part of the soy sauce. I added shiitake mushrooms, fried tempeh and broccoli instead of spinach. Will definitely make again!
So glad to hear, Abbey! Thanks so much :)
Made this quick and easy stir fry again tonight, and it was delicious – always a hit at our house. I added some pan fried shrimp this time, and a julienned zucchini instead the spinach. I’ve been having trouble finding the frozen udon lately though. My vacuum-packed ones (from Sobeys) say boil for two minutes before stir fry, which I did and they were a very nice texture. Thanks for the terrific recipes Jennifer.
So glad you enjoyed it, Sue! I have never boiled the vacuum packed udon (too lazy to boil water :), but I do soak them in hot water. I will try boiling sometime though, just to try. Thanks so much!
This looks so good! Do you think it would turn out ok without the parsley/cilantro?
Hi Adriana and definitely! There will still be tons of flavour and colour in the dish :)
I had some udon noodles from SS in the freezer and wondered what to do with them this evening. Google brought up your recipe and in 20 minutes I had a vegan dinner for my wife and I :). I added some green peas for some color since I didn’t have any spinach on hand. Thank you so much for a delicious and flavourful dish!
So glad you enjoyed it! Thanks :)
I’ve made this recipe several times and love it! I was just wondering, I have pretty bad heartburn triggered by garlic. Can I replace the garlic with something? Lemongrass perhaps? I love the flavour from the garlic, by my stomach does not :(
Hi Seleena, I’d just skip it. I think there’s a lot of flavour going on here, anyway :)
Awesome recipe! My 20 yr old isn’t a veggie fan but I put in the carrots, onions and spinach as well as diced celery, red pepper, zucchini and shiitake mushrooms. Added about 2 cups poached chicken and doubled sauce. Not a drop leftover! Perfect dinner for our God awful Michigan weather; heavy snow followed by -25° temps.
Sounds perfect, Kim. So glad you enjoyed it! And we are having that very same weather (just north or you here :)
New quick & easy dinner go-to!
Thanks Hayley :)
Made this tonight for a quick pre-thunderstorm dinner. As is, the flavors are satisfying and 2tsp of the Sambal Olek is comfortable heat for me (and I love spicy!). Definitely adding this to my rotation :) Thanks for putting it out there!
So glad to hear, Calandra! Thanks :)
I made this recipe tonight. Came upon it while doing a google search for ‘udon noodle stir fry’. This is now our new best stir fry recipe. The sauce is simple yet delicious. Great way to use up veggies left in your fridge (I used red bell pepper in addition to the carrots and spinach in the recipe). We served this with grilled shrimp skewers… but pretty much any protein would be good in here. Wanted to add to the reviews because when I search for recipes I always read reviews first.
Thanks so much, Janick :) So glad you enjoyed it!
Modified by using soba noodles. Our refrigerator had leftover cooked broccoli and mushrooms. Added onion and the garnishes recommended. We ate it all and are already talking about what else would be good. Great, easy recipe!
So glad you enjoyed it! It’s a great base for so many modifications. And a great fridge cleaner :) Thanks!
This was incredibly delicious!
Glad to hear, Aura :) Thanks!
I actually made my very own homemade noodle for the first time to try this recipe… i double the recipe and triple the sauce… it was very saucy but the sauce is so awesome that it was perfect!
I had to retain myself from going to the fridge and eat the leftover all last night… but i am enjoying them for lunch today – as we speak – and it’s heavenly!
Good for you for making the noodles! I’ve made pasta before, but have never tackled udon. I bet it was fabulous. And I’m with you. The saucier the better ;) Thanks!
You should give it a go! Easier than pasta!
I rolled the dough using my kitchen aid pasta attachement at setting 1 but cut the noodles with a knife to give it a more authentic look. Super delicious!!!
https://steamykitchen.com/43189-homemade-udon-noodle-recipe-morimoto.html
I made this for dinner tonight. I used whole wheat linguini. I didn’t add the carrots ( just doubled the spinach). I also cut the spices and sugar down. I only added a smigeon of the spices. a little less of the brown sugar and only a small amount of the Sambal Oelek . I also added a dash of dry sherry. I love this recipe…it’s so customizable to your preferences. It was awesome. PINNED.
So glad to hear! And yes, it’s such a customizable recipe :) I turn to it often to use up odds and ends in my fridge. Thanks!
I love this recipe! So simple and fresh.
So glad to her, Bella. Thanks!
Great recipe! Easy to make and very tasty!
Thanks Stefany and so glad you enjoyed it!
5 Stars!! This recipe is every bit as good as my favourite Chinese restaurant’s udon. Thanks so much!
Thanks Tam! Glad you enjoyed it :)