Curry Udon

Curry udon is a comforting Japanese dish that combines the rich flavor of Japanese curry with thick, chewy udon noodles. This dish is hearty and has a slightly thick, flavorful broth that's perfect for cold days or when you're feeling full. Here's a detailed recipe to make delicious curry udon at home.

Curry Udon Recipe


Material:

Curry sauce:

1 tablespoon vegetable oil1
small onion,
thinly sliced100g (3.5 oz) sliced ​​beef or chicken (non-vegetarian option)
1 small carrot, peeled and thinly sliced½
cup potato, peeled and diced2 cups
dashi stock (or use chicken or vegetable broth instead)1-2 cubes
Japanese curry roux (adjust for desired strength and flavor)1
tablespoon soy sauce1
tablespoon
mirin½ teaspoon sugar (optional)
1 tablespoon potato starch or cornstarch (to thicken)
2 tablespoons water (to mix with the starch)

Udon:

Fresh or frozen udon noodles for 2 people
Water to boil the noodles

topping:

1 green onion, thinly sliced
​​1-2 tablespoons tempura flakes (optional if you want to add texture)
1/2 sheet of nori seaweed (thinly sliced)
Shichimi pepper (for garnishing)

procedure:

Prepare the ingredients:

Thinly slice the onion, cut the carrots into small thin rings, and cut the potatoes into bite-sized cubes.

If using beef or chicken, shred the meat.

Make the curry sauce:

Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat.

Add the sliced ​​onion and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until soft and translucent.

Add the sliced ​​meat (if using) and fry until the meat changes colour. If you prefer a vegetarian version, omit the meat and go to the next step.

Add sliced ​​carrots and diced potatoes to the pot. Stir for about 2 minutes.

Pour in 2 cups of stock (or broth). Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes or until the potatoes and carrots are tender.

Add the Japanese curry roux cubes and stir well to dissolve in the soup. Adjust the number of roux cubes depending on how strong and flavorful you want your curry.

Once the curry roux is completely dissolved, add the soy sauce, mirin, and sugar (if using). Mix well and taste the sauce. Adjust seasonings if necessary.

To thicken the sauce:

In a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon potato starch (or cornstarch) with 2 tablespoons water to create a slurry.

Slowly pour the slurry into the simmering curry sauce, stirring constantly to avoid lumps forming.

Simmer the curry sauce for 2-3 minutes until it thickens slightly - it should have the consistency of a stew or gravy.

Boil the udon:

While the curry sauce is simmering, bring another pot of water to a boil.

Add the noodles to the boiling water and cook according to the package directions (usually 2-3 minutes for fresh or frozen noodles), or 8-10 minutes if using dried noodles.

Once cooked, drain the noodles and rinse them under cold water to remove excess starch and prevent the noodles from sticking together.

Mix and serve:

Divide the cooked udon noodles into individual bowls.

Pour the hot curry sauce over the noodles and scatter the meat, potatoes and carrots evenly around the bowl.

Garnish each bowl with green onion slices, tempura flakes, and shredded nori.

Sprinkle on a little shichimi pepper for extra flavor (optional).

How to enjoy:

Serve curry udon hot and enjoy the combination of chewy noodles and rich curry sauce. Serve with a side dish of pickled vegetables or a small salad for a complete meal.

Tip:
Choose your curry roux: Japanese curry roux comes in a variety of brands and levels of spiciness. Choose mild, medium, or hot depending on how spicy you like it.

Vegetarian option: Use vegetable stock or broth instead of meat. Add vegetables like shiitake mushrooms, zucchini or bell peppers for extra texture and flavor.

Noodle Texture: Udon noodles have a nice chewy texture, but if they become too soft, rinse them immediately under cold water after boiling to maintain their firmness.

Customize it: Add more stock if you want a thinner soup, or add more roux if you want a thicker sauce.

This curry udon recipe is perfect for a cozy evening and is easy to adapt to your tastes.

Enjoy a flavourful dish that combines the best of Japanese curry with hearty udon noodles.