Vegetable Yaki udon is a great dinner idea for busy weekdays. It's so easy, delicious, and you can make it in under 15 minutes from start to finish!
Yaki udon is a quick dish made from stir-fried chewy udon noodles.
This recipe is a vegan version of yaki udon full of lots of vegetables.
The flavors of vegetables are enhanced with Japanese seasonings, making this a healthy meal that you can enjoy in no time!
- This recipe is for you if:
- You love udon noodles.
- You want to make vegetable yaki udon.
- You are looking for a vegan yaki udon recipe
Let me walk you through the ingredients and instructions. If you want to check the recipe, please use the link below. Let's get started!
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About this recipe
- Japanese udon noodle dish
- Vegan yaki udon recipe
- Ready in under 15 minutes
- Easy and quick meal
- Topping ideas
Yaki udon is a simple and quick meal
Yaki udon is a Japanese noodle dish that stir-fry meat, vegetables, and udon noodles seasoned with soy sauce, mirin, and dashi (soup stock).
It's a quick and easy recipe ready in less than 15 minutes.
It contains meat in the standard recipe, so I substitute it with plant-based proteins and make it meatless.
📋 Ingredients
Here are the ingredients (amounts are in the recipe card below).
- Udon noodles (See below)
- Ingredients: Cabbage, Carrot, Shiitake mushrooms, Aburaage
- Sesame Oil
- Sauce ingredients: Salt, Mirin, Soy Sauce
- Topping of your choice (See the following section)
Aburaage is Japanese deep-fried tofu pouches, and I use it as protein in this vegan yaki udon. It quickly soaks the taste and is well combined with noodles.
Sauce ingredients are simply using Japanese seasoning; soy sauce and mirin.
If you are not vegan and love savory sauce, you can add oyster sauce or Worcestershire sauce at the end.
Udon noodles
Udon noodles are Japanese noodles made from wheat flour, which is thick and has a chewy texture.
Here are some of my udon noodles recipes: Natto udon noodles, Cold vegetable udon noodles
By the way, we have a variety of different noodles besides udon noodles, including ramen noodles and soba noodles in Japan.
You can find more information about them in this article: Japanese noodles.
Types of Udon Noodles
Let's talk about the types of udon noodles we can find at a store.
- Dried udon noodles
- Frozen udon noodles
- Pre-cooked udon noodles (Refrigerate)
- Fresh udon noodles
Dried noodles take about six minutes to boil, so they are not suitable when you want your dish quickly. But it's good that these usually don't have any additives!
Frozen noodles are super easy to use as you can defrost in the microwave before using them. They are chewy and soft. It lasts long, so having some stocks in your freezer is excellent.
Pre-cooked noodles are also a quick and easy option. They are already boiled, so you can add them to a pan and cook.
I hope you can find udon noodles easily at your local Asian market or Japanese supermarket.
Any udon noodles work great for this yaki udon. I use pre-cooked udon noodles in this recipe.
Ingredients Variations
Yaki udon is a versatile dish that can be made with any ingredients. Here are more variation ideas:
- Choice of protein (vegan): Tofu, atsuage, soy chunks, tempeh
- Choice of vegetables: Green onions, onions, spring onions, bell peppers, bok choy (pak choi), spinach, napa cabbage, any mushrooms, moyashi (bean sprout), eggplant
🔪Instructions
Let me show you how to make yaki udon! You can also watch this recipe video.
- Cut ingredients into thin strips
- Stir fry the ingredients over medium heat in a large pan
- Steam until tender
- Add udon, mirin, and soy sauce
- Steam for a couple of minutes
- Stir fry on medium heat until well combined
Vegetables bring out the delicious umami and sweetness by steaming. Carrots will be very sweet!
Add pre-cooked udon noodles to the pan make them soft and chewy through steaming. If you use frozen noodles or dried noodles, follow the package instructions.
If the taste is too light for you, please feel free to add soy sauce and tweak your flavors.
The vegetable yaki udon is ready to serve!
You will enjoy this noodle dish by itself, but I recommend serving it alongside some soup and salad, and you'll be delighted.
And want to experience this dish the Japanese way? These toppings will do it for you!
Topping Ideas
We have a variety of topping options here!
For vegan:
For non-vegan:
- Fried egg
- Katsuobushi (Bonito flakes)
Katsuobushi is bonito flakes, so it's not vegan but the most common topping for yaki udon in Japan.
Furikake is a simple and basic Japanese rice seasoning mix used to flavor plain steamed white rice, and it works well for udon noodles.
You can find many variations of furikake with fish, seaweed, egg, and vegetable, so the choice is yours.
Nori and Aonori are seaweed. We use seaweed a lot in Japanese cuisine, and they are great toppings. If you are not familiar with seaweed, try Nori first, as Aonori has a stronger flavor (smell from the ocean) than Nori.
What to serve with
Serve with soup and some veggies and why not have a healthy lunch? You'll feel more energetic after eating.
- Vegetable Yaki Udon
- Daikon miso soup
- Hiyayakko
- Nori tamagoyaki
Thanks For Stopping By
This vegetable yaki udon noodle is perfect for quick lunch or dinner! Enjoy the simple and authentic taste of Japan!
I hope you like the recipe:)
Thank you for taking the time to read my blog♡ If you've tried this recipe (or any other recipe on the blog), please give it a star rating below!
Also, feel free to leave comments if you have any questions. I love hearing from you!
Chef JA Cooks is a Japanese food blog that shares healthy and straightforward Japanese home cooking recipes, including vegan and vegetarian. From traditional Japanese recipes to modern recipes with step-by-step instructions.
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Watch How To Make It
📖 Recipe
Vegetable Yaki Udon (Vegan)
Print Pin RateIngredients
- 2 packs Udon noodles, 340g
- ⅛ Cabbage
- ½ Carrot
- 5 Shiitake mushrooms
- 2 Aburaage
- 1 tablespoon Sesame Oil
- Topping of your choice, See note
Instructions
- Cut ingredients: Cut cabbage, carrots, shiitake mushrooms, and aburaage into thin strips
- Stir fry the ingredients: Heat a large pan over medium heat, add sesame oil, and stir fry the ingredients
- Steam: Add salt and two tablespoons of water, cover, and steam for 5-6 minutes on low heat until tender
- Add udon and steam: Add udon noodles, mirin, and soy sauce, cover, and steam for a couple of minutes
- Stir fry: Open the lid and stir fry on medium heat until well combined
- Toppings: Top with katsuobushi, or green onion as you like
Notes
- Equipment: Frying pan 26cm/10 inch
- Substitute: Use your favorite vegetables such as green onions, onions, paprikas, bok choy, spinach, napa cabbage, etc. You can use any type of udon noodles such as dry noodles, frozen noodles, fresh noodles
- Topping: Katsuobushi, aonori, scallions, shredded nori, furikake, fried egg. See the "Topping Ideas" section
- If the taste is too light for you, feel free to add more soy sauce
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