Name: Teriyaki Udon Noodles
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 10 ounces udon noodles; ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce; ½ cup water; 2 tablespoons brown sugar (packed); 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar; ½ tablespoon sesame oil; 2 cloves garlic (grated); ¼ teaspoon ground ginger

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These Teriyaki Udon Noodles are perfect for a quick and easy weeknight dinner. Made with udon noodles and a simple homemade teriyaki sauce, this flavorful side dish is made with just 7 ingredients and only takes 15 minutes to throw together. Serve with your favorite protein and stir-fried vegetables for a well-balanced meal. Vegan-friendly.

A small white plate with a pile of teriyaki udon noodles. The noodles are garnished with sesame seeds and chopped scallions. There is a pair of black chopsticks resting on the left side of the plate.

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.

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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.

The ingredients to make teriyaki udon noodles. Each ingredient is labeled with text. They include soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, ginger, udon noodles, sesame oil, garlic, and brown sugar.

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.

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.

Cooked udon noodles draining in a red colander.

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.

Simmering teriyaki sauce in a stainless steel pot.

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.

Cooked udon noodles coated in teriyaki sauce in a stainless steel pot.

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.

A bowl of sesame garlic tofu served with udon noodles and steamed broccoli. There is a pair of black chopsticks resting on the bowl. Out of focus to the left is an additional plate of noodles.

Let's Connect!

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