Curry Udon (カレーうどん) is a popular menu item in Japan, and has been for a long time. It is lesser-known compared to Curry Rice, but the flavorful curry sauce is just as fulfilling in a soup with udon. To me, the chewy noodles have a special ability to soothe the soul. When you blanket it with a rich curry soup, you just want to grab your chopsticks and slurp away. Curry Udon is one of the most satisfying noodle soups. It’s easy to whip up in under 30 minutes, too! It’s rich and flavorful, with just a tinge of sweetness in each spoonful.
Ingredients You’ll Need
protein of your choice – I used bite-sized pieces of thinly sliced pork loin that cooks in seconds; you can substitute chicken, beef, or seafood; for vegan curry udon, use tofu or shiitake mushrooms onion green onions (scallions) – for garnish udon noodles – read more about it below dashi (Japanese soup stock) – make Awase Dashi or use a dashi packet or powder; for vegans/vegetarians, make Vegan Dashi Japanese curry roux – use store-bought Japanese curry cubes or make your own; read more about it below soy sauce
How to Make Curry Udon
Make this satisfying noodle dish in under 30 minutes! Here’s an overview of the instructions:
What is Japanese Curry Roux?
Japanese curry is quite different from Indian and Thai curries and is suited the Japanese palate. It is thicker, milder, and sweeter, with a stew-like consistency. It’s ideal for curry novices or those who prefer a gentler, sweeter flavor. For this quick curry recipe, I take the convenient route with store-bought curry roux. Nowadays, you can even find the rectangular packages of Japanese curry roux at major American grocery stores. Look for it in the Asian or global food aisle. It’s also possible to make your own from scratch! Homemade curry roux is easier to make than you might think and keeps well in the freezer. You need just five ingredients—butter, flour, Japanese curry powder, garam masala, and (optional) cayenne pepper. I recommend S&B brand curry powder for an authentic taste.
Which Udon Noodles to Use
Thick and chewy udon noodles are so delicious! You can choose from frozen, refrigerated, or dried udon noodles. However, I only recommend getting frozen udon noodles (choose one called “Sanuki udon”) or dried udon noodles as they have a better texture than refrigerated udon noodles. You can also make homemade, fresh udon noodles from scratch! It’s easy and fun, and the delicious handmade noodles are far superior to store bought.
Make Cold Curry Udon in the Summertime!
In the middle of summer, try Cold Curry Udon! It’s a refreshing main course to enjoy during warm weather.
Other Delicious Curry Recipes
Seafood Curry Sapporo Soup Curry Curry Bread
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on February 13, 2012. A video and new photos were added in May 2020.
