10-Minutes Spicy Udon Noodle Soup Recipe (Perfect For Spice Lovers)

Embrace a journey into the heart of robust flavors with our spicy udon noodle soup recipe. This culinary delight from Japan takes your taste buds on an exhilarating ride, merging warmth, spice, and sublime comfort in every spoonful. 

Engage with the alchemy of chili, ginger, and other piquant spices, harmonizing perfectly with succulent noodles and fragrant broth. Savoring this delectable dish, you’ll navigate the depth of traditional Asian cooking and explore an enticing world of taste. 

Let’s unlock this flavor-packed treasure together and let the adventure begin.

What Is Spicy Udon Noodle Soup?

Spicy Udon Noodle Soup is a flavorful Japanese dish featuring thick udon noodles simmered in a fiery broth. The soup’s heat typically comes from ingredients like chili oil, red pepper flakes, or other spicy components. The broth is richly seasoned with soy sauce, mirin, and dashi. 

It’s loaded with additions such as scallions, mushrooms, and protein, commonly tofu or seafood. This soup serves as a comforting, warm meal with a kick, offering a satisfying harmony between the chewy udon noodles and the spicy, aromatic broth.

Can You Vary The Recipe With Other Ingredients?

This Spicy Udon Noodle Soup recipe is highly versatile and can be adapted to suit a range of dietary needs:

• Keto Replace udon noodles with shirataki noodles, which are low-carb and keto-friendly. Make sure to use a sugar substitute in place of any sugars that might be present in the original recipe.
• Paleo Use zucchini noodles (“zoodles”) or sweet potato noodles instead of udon. Ensure all sauces and additives align with Paleo guidelines.
• Gluten-Free Use gluten-free noodles like rice noodles, and ensure your soy sauce is a gluten-free variant (such as tamari).
• Whole30 Replace udon noodles with spiralized vegetable noodles like zucchini or sweet potato, and use coconut aminos instead of soy sauce.
• Vegetarian/Vegan The recipe can be made vegetarian or vegan by using plant-based proteins like tofu or seitan and making the broth with a vegetable base or using vegan-friendly dashi.

Variations, Add-Ons, And Toppings For The Soup

The Spicy Udon Noodle Soup recipe can be easily customized with variations, add-ons, and toppings to cater to various palates and dietary preferences. Here are some suggestions:

Variations

• Protein: If you’re a meat-eater, consider adding cooked slices of chicken, beef, or shrimp. Tofu or tempeh makes a great protein source for a vegetarian or vegan variant.
• Broth: Swap the usual broth with miso or coconut milk-based broth for a different flavor profile.
• Spices: Alter the heat level using condiments like Korean gochugaru, Szechuan peppercorns, or even a dash of wasabi.

Add-Ons

• Vegetables: You can bulk up your soup with veggies such as bok choy, spinach, bell peppers, or carrots.
• Eggs: A soft-boiled or hard-boiled egg adds richness to the soup.
• Seafood: Add cooked prawns, squid, or crab for a seafood spin.

Toppings

• Seeds: Toasted sesame seeds or crushed peanuts can add a delightful crunch.
• Herbs: Fresh herbs like cilantro or Thai basil can bring a refreshing note to the spicy soup.
• Condiments: A squeeze of lime, a dash of rice vinegar, or a spoonful of chili oil can tweak the flavor to your preference.

Can I Make spicy udon noodle soup In A Slow Cooker Or Instant Pot?

Both the Slow Cooker and the Instant Pot are excellent tools for making Spicy Udon Noodle Soup, albeit with slightly different approaches:

Slow Cooker

• Add the broth, soy sauce, garlic, and protein (like chicken or tofu) to the slow cooker. If you’re using dried mushrooms, add them now as well. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
• In the last 15-30 minutes of cooking, add in your udon noodles and snow peas (or other quick-cooking vegetables). The noodles need to be added later to prevent them from becoming overly soft.
• Serve hot, garnished with scallions and seven-spice powder.

Instant Pot

• Using the “Sauté” setting, lightly sauté your garlic (and protein) to develop flavors. Then add your broth, soy sauce, and mushrooms.
• Secure the lid, ensuring the vent is set to “Sealing.” Cook on high pressure for about 5 minutes.
• Use a quick release to release the pressure, then add your udon noodles and snow peas. The residual heat should cook them through in a few minutes.
• Dish up, topping with scallions and seven-spice powder, and serve.

Can I Use Store Broth, Or Should I Make My Own?

You can certainly use either store-bought or homemade broth for your Spicy Udon Noodle Soup; both have advantages and can work well in this recipe.

Store-Bought Broth

This is a convenient and time-saving option, especially when you want to whip up a quick meal. Opt for a high-quality, low-sodium broth to ensure a good flavor foundation. A low-sodium option also gives you better control over your soup’s saltiness.

Homemade Broth

If you have the time, homemade broth often yields the best flavor. You can customize it to your liking by adjusting the amount and type of seasonings and vegetables you use. Making broth also lets you use kitchen scraps like vegetable peels and leftover bones.

How To Serve ?

• Serve Hot: This soup is best served hot. The warmth of the soup not only enhances its flavors but is also soothing and comforting.
• Use Deep Bowls: Serve the soup in deep, wide bowls to accommodate the noodles, broth, and other ingredients. It also allows the diner to mix their soup, helping distribute the flavors easily.
• Garnish at the End: Sprinkle your scallions and seven-spice powder on top right before serving. The soup’s heat will help release the aroma of the spices, but adding them at the end ensures they don’t get lost or become overpowering during the cooking process.
• Offer Extra Toppings: Depending on personal preferences, you can offer additional toppings on the side, like a squeeze of lime, extra seven-spice powder, sesame seeds, or even some fresh chopped chilies for an extra kick.
• Provide the Right Utensils: Traditionally, udon soup is eaten with chopsticks to pick up the noodles and a spoon to sip the broth. If your guests are comfortable using chopsticks, provide them with an authentic experience.
• Pair it Well: If you want to create a complete meal, consider pairing the soup with a simple side salad or steamed dumplings. Green tea or crisp white wine could complement the flavors well for drinks.

Perfect Side Dishes

• Asian-inspired Salad: A light, fresh salad could be a wonderful contrast to the rich, hearty soup. Think mixed greens with a ginger-soy vinaigrette or a cucumber salad with rice vinegar and sesame seeds.
• Steamed Dumplings or Gyoza offer a delightful textural contrast to the soup. Plus, you can find varieties to suit any dietary preference, from pork to vegetable-filled.
• Edamame: Lightly salted steamed edamame beans are a traditional Japanese appetizer that would pair nicely with this soup, offering protein and a nice bite.
• Spring Rolls: Whether fried or fresh, spring rolls can add a different texture and flavor profile that complements the soup.
• Tempura Vegetables: Lightly battered and fried vegetables can offer a crispy contrast to soft noodles and broth.
• Sushi or Sashimi: If you want to create a more extensive Japanese meal, sushi or sashimi would provide another manageable element.
• Pickled Vegetables: Japanese pickles, known as tsukemono, can cleanse the palate and enhance digestion.

Storage And Make Ahead

• Broth: Prepare a flavorful broth with kombu, bonito flakes, soy sauce, and mirin. Simmer for depth of flavor.
• Vegetables: Slice and blanch veggies like carrots, mushrooms, and bok choy. Store separately.
• Udon Noodles: Cook udon noodles until al dente, then rinse with cold water to prevent sticking. Toss with a bit of oil.
• Assembly: Store broth, cooked noodles, and blanched veggies separately. When ready to eat, reheat the broth, assemble noodles and veggies, and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.
• Make Ahead: Prepare all components ahead and store in the fridge. Assemble just before serving for a quick and satisfying meal.

What Can We Do With Leftovers? 

Leftovers of Spicy Udon Noodle Soup offer a fantastic opportunity for creative reinventions. Here are some ways to repurpose them:

• Stir Fry: Strain out the solid ingredients from the soup, add a bit of oil to a pan, and you have the makings of a quick stir fry. Just toss it all together until heated and serve over rice for a different take on a delicious meal.
• Noodle Salad: Cool down the noodles and mix with fresh vegetables, a splash of sesame oil, and soy sauce for an Asian-inspired noodle salad.
• Fried Rice: Use the broth to cook a pot of rice, which will absorb all the flavors. Then, stir-fry this rice with the remaining solid ingredients and some soy sauce for a spicy udon fried rice.
• Add Proteins: If you have leftover chicken or tofu, slice them up and add them to the reheated soup for an extra protein boost.
• New Soup: Add the leftover soup to a fresh pot of broth and vegetables, bringing new life and flavors to your leftovers.

TIPS

• Broth Depth: For a flavorful base, simmer kombu and dried shiitake mushrooms with water for at least 30 minutes before adding other ingredients.
• Noodle Timing: Cook udon noodles separately to prevent them from becoming mushy. Add them to the soup just before serving.
• Veggies Crunch: Add crunchy vegetables like bok choy and snap peas towards the end of cooking to retain their texture.
• Umami Boost: Enhance flavor with soy sauce, miso paste, and a dash of mirin or rice vinegar.
• Customize Garnish: Top with sliced green onions, sesame seeds, nori strips, or a drizzle of chili oil for extra flair.

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