30 Minute Meals
Spicy Udon Noodles
Prep
10 minutes
Cook
10 minutes
Yield
3
🍜 Ready in 10 minutes! These spicy udon noodles with creamy peanut sauce are the ultimate comfort food. Chewy noodles, vibrant veggies, and a sauce so good you'll want to eat it with a spoon. Perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep!
This creamy and delicious spicy udon noodles recipe with peanut sauce is the perfect comfort food for a fall evening or lunch. Make it your own with whatever veggies you have on hand, and gobble it up for a healthy meal that will leave you satisfied. Seriously, the peanut sauce on these is so dang good I could eat it on its own. You’ll love this recipe!
❤️ Why You’ll Love Spicy Udon Noodles
- 10-Minute Prep: Prep this recipe in only 10 minutes, this is an easy and quick one for even the busiest people.
- Flavorful: The creamy peanut sauce is so flavorful and delicious. Did I mention you can also eat it on anything?
- Restaurant-Quality: Tastes like it came from your favorite Asian fusion restaurant but costs a fraction of the price.
🍲 Ingredients
Udon Noodles – Udon noodles are a thick noodle made from wheat flour, often used in Japanese cuisine. It is known to be a Japanese comfort food and in moderation they provide a healthy dose of carbs and fiber. Their thick, chewy texture makes them perfect for holding onto that rich peanut sauce, creating the ideal bite every time.
Peanut Sauce – I like a creamy salad so I do add 1/2 cup to this but if you prefer less just adjust as you toss and taste! This rich, velvety sauce is what transforms simple noodles into something extraordinary. The combination of peanut butter, spices, and aromatics creates a sauce so good you’ll want to put it on everything.
👩🍳 How to Make Spicy Udon Noodles
1. Cook Udon Noodles as per package instructions.
2. Prepare the peanut sauce.
3. To a large bowl, toss together the udon noodles, sauce, peppers, and cilantro. Serve as is or with protein of choice.
🪄 Tips and Tricks
- Noodle Texture: Don’t overcook the udon noodles – they should be tender but still have a slight chew.
- Sauce Temperature: Let the peanut sauce come to room temperature for easier mixing, or thin it with a splash of warm water.
- Tossing: Use tongs or chopsticks to ensure the sauce coats every noodle evenly.
- Serving: This dish is delicious both warm and at room temperature, making it perfect for meal prep.
🗒 Substitutions
- Noodles: Can I use different noodles? Udon noodles are great here but you can use ramen noodles or even pasta! A thicker noodle is encouraged for this udon noodle recipe.
- Vegetables: Use any vegetables you want in this dish. You can add as many or as little as you’d like it’ll still taste great! Try broccoli, snap peas, carrots, mushrooms, or edamame.
- Cilantro: I know not everyone is a fan of cilantro so you can totally omit this. However, if you do like this herb, it adds a fresh flavor to it and I would definitely keep it in. Green onions or Thai basil make great substitutes.
- Protein: Add grilled chicken, tofu, shrimp, or edamame to make this a complete meal.
🗒 Best served with
- Vegan Potstickers
- Asian-Inspired Broccoli Salad Recipe
- Shrimp Balls Soup
- Tofu Spring Rolls (Crispy or Soft)
👝 How to Store Leftovers
Store any leftover sauce in a jar in the fridge for 10 days. The tossed salad will last up to 1 week in a tightly sealed container. When reheating, add a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce, as it may thicken when cold. This dish is also delicious served cold as a noodle salad.
🤔 Common Questions
Udon noodles are thick noodles made from wheat flour, used primarily in Japanese cuisine. Their wonderfully chewy texture and mild flavor make them perfect for absorbing sauces like this spicy peanut version.
Rinse the cooked udon noodles with cool water to stop the cooking process and prevent sticking. Toss them immediately with a small amount of oil if not using the sauce immediately.
Yes! Substitute the udon noodles with rice noodles or gluten-free pasta. Ensure your peanut sauce ingredients (like soy sauce) are also gluten-free.
Absolutely! You can reduce or omit the spicy elements in the peanut sauce, such as chili paste or red pepper flakes. You can always add heat gradually to find your perfect spice level.
You can store it for up to one week in a tightly sealed container or jar in the fridge. The sauce improves in flavor as it sits, making it perfect for meal prep.
Add it to salads, veggies, wraps, or whatever your heart desires. This very versatile sauce works as a dip, dressing, or marinade. Try it on grilled vegetables, spring rolls, or as a satay sauce.
Definitely! Grilled chicken, pan-fried tofu, shrimp, or even a soft-boiled egg make excellent additions. Cook your protein separately and add it when tossing with the sauce.
Spicy Udon Noodles
Ingredients
- 2 packets of Udon Noodles 400G total
- 1 large red pepper finely sliced
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro
- 1/2 cup Peanut Sauce
Instructions
- Cook Udon Noodles as per package instructions.
- Prepare the peanut sauce.
- To a large bowl, toss together the udon noodles, sauce, peppers, and cilantro. Serve as is or with protein of choice.
