Teriyaki Udon Noodles (15 Minutes!)

Is there anything better than a big plate of chewy and delicious udon noodles? In my opinion, udon noodles are Japanese comfort food at its finest.

This flavorful vegetarian side dish is super easy to make at home, coming together in just 15 minutes. Plus, this recipe only uses 7 ingredients, some of which are likely pantry staples. And best of all, everything comes together in one pot. It couldn't be easier!

Pair these teriyaki noodles with tofu, chicken, or shrimp and some vegetables for the perfect weeknight meal.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Flavorful- Thick, chewy udon noodles are tossed in a sweet teriyaki sauce that is bursting with umami flavor.
• Ready in 15 Minutes- These yaki udon noodles are perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
• Only 7 Ingredients- Just a few ingredients are all you need to make this tasty side dish. Many of which you likely already have in your pantry.
• Made in One Pot- The teriyaki sauce is made in the same pot you cook the noodles in. So easy!
• Versatile- Teriyaki udon noodles pair well with a variety of dishes. Try serving this dish with Baked Orange Tofu or Sesame Garlic Tofu for a quick and delicious vegetarian meal.

Ingredient Notes

Here are some notes on the key ingredients. For the full list of ingredients, check out the recipe card below.

• Udon Noodles- Find them at your local Asian market or in the "Asian" section of the grocery store. Udon noodles come in a variety of different package sizes. I chose to use 10 ounces of noodles, but you can make more or less depending on your needs.
• Soy Sauce- The base of the teriyaki sauce. Soy sauce is salty and gives the teriyaki sauce a bold umami flavor. I prefer to use low-sodium soy sauce.
• Brown Sugar- Just 2 tablespoons of brown sugar is all we need to make this teriyaki sauce perfectly sweet.
• Apple Cider Vinegar- Provides acidity to balance out the salty and sweet flavors in the sauce.
• Sesame Oil- I love the flavor of toasted sesame oil. Just a little bit gives the sauce a subtle nutty flavor.
• Garlic- Two cloves of freshly grated garlic give the teriyaki sauce a pungent garlic flavor.
• Ginger- Just a pinch of ground ginger adds a bit of warmth.

Substitutions and Variation

Here are a few ways you can try customizing this teriyaki udon noodle recipe to fit your diet and taste preferences.

Substitutions

• Udon Noodles- Substitute udon noodles for ramen noodles, lo mein noodles, soba noodles, or rice noodles.
• Soy Sauce- Tamari, liquid aminos, or coconut aminos are great gluten-free alternatives to soy sauce.
• Brown Sugar- Granulated sugar, maple syrup, or honey can be swapped for brown sugar in a 1-to-1 ratio.
• Apple Cider Vinegar- Try rice wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar, or white vinegar.
• Sesame Oil- Swap sesame oil for canola oil, olive oil, avocado oil, or any other neutral-flavored oil.
• Garlic- Replace fresh garlic with ½ teaspoon garlic powder.
• Ginger- Use one tablespoon of freshly grated ginger in place of ground ginger.

Variations

• Gluten-Free- Replace the soy sauce with tamari, liquid aminos, or coconut aminos. Additionally, swap the udon noodles for rice noodles or buckwheat noodles.
• Reduced Sugar- Use only one tablespoon of brown sugar to reduce the amount of added sugar in this recipe.
• Spicy- Add a tablespoon of sambal oelek, sriracha, or chili garlic paste to the teriyaki sauce to give this noodle dish a kick.
• Vegetables- Add stir-fried vegetables to these noodles for a boost of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Try julienned carrots, bell peppers, cabbage, pea pods, and mushrooms.
• Protein- Make it a complete meal by adding some protein. Teriyaki chicken, beef, shrimp, or tofu are all perfect additions to these teriyaki stir-fry udon noodles.

How to Make Teriyaki Udon Noodles

Here is how to make udon noodles with teriyaki sauce.

Step 1: Cook the udon noodles. Cook the udon noodles for 1-2 minutes less than the recommended time on the package instructions. For the brand of udon noodles I used, this was approximately 7 minutes. Drain the noodles and set aside.

Step 2: Make the teriyaki sauce. While the noodles are cooking, whisk together the remaining ingredients in a small mixing bowl. Then, after draining the udon noodles, place the same pot back onto the stovetop over medium-low heat. Pour in the teriyaki sauce mixture and bring it to a gentle simmer.

Step 3: Toss the udon noodles with teriyaki sauce. Add the cooked udon noodles to the simmering teriyaki sauce. Toss the noodles continuously to prevent sticking until the sauce has thickened and clings to the noodles. Remove from heat and serve immediately. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions, if desired.

Tips for Success

• Undercook the noodles. Cooking the udon noodles for a minute or two less than instructed on the package ensures they don't overcook in the teriyaki sauce.
• Use oil to prevent sticking. If the udon noodles seem to be sticking together after you finish cooking them, toss them with a small amount of sesame oil.
• Toss continuously. While the udon noodles are cooking in the teriyaki sauce, it's important to toss them continuously so they don't stick to the pan.
• Make teriyaki sauce ahead. The teriyaki sauce ingredients can be mixed up to a week in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

What to Serve With Teriyaki Udon Noodles

• Baked Orange Tofu
• Sesame Garlic Tofu
• Soy Garlic Chicken Wings
• Teriyaki Chicken or Shrimp
• Turmeric Black Pepper Chicken
• Vegetable Stir Fry
• Tempura Vegetables
• Miso Soup
• Sashimi, Nigiri, or Maki

Storage and Reheating

How to Store

• Refrigerator- Store leftover teriyaki udon noodles in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• Freezer- I don't recommend freezing cooked udon noodles as this will likely change their texture, making them unpleasant to eat.

How to Reheat

• Stovetop- Coat a non-stick skillet or wok generously with oil and warm over medium heat. Add the leftover udon noodles and toss to coat them in the oil. Cook for 3-5 minutes, tossing continuously until fully warmed through.
• Oven- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place leftover noodles in a casserole dish and drizzle with a few tablespoons of water. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and heat for 10 minutes or until fully warmed through.
• Microwave- Place the noodles on a microwave-safe dish and drizzle with a little water. Cover the dish and microwave on HIGH for 1 minute. Stir the noodles and continue heating in 30-second intervals until fully warmed through.

Make Ahead

These teriyaki udon noodles are best served fresh. However, that doesn't mean we can't get a jump start on meal prep.

If you want to prepare ahead, mix the teriyaki sauce ingredients together up to one week in advance. Then, store the mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you're ready to use it.

Frequently Asked Questions

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