How to Make Weeknight Udon Stir Fry
This easy stir fry is a delicious go-to weeknight dinner—savory, colorful, and endlessly adaptable. Made with thick, chewy udon noodles (store-bought or homemade), crisp-tender veggies, and your choice of chicken or tofu, it’s a recipe that delivers big flavor fast. Tossed in a deeply satisfying sauce of soy, sesame, gochujang, and chili crisp, this dish hits all the right notes: umami, heat, and just enough sweetness. Bonus: it comes together in under 30 minutes and is always a hit with kids and grown-ups alike.
Ingredients
For the Sauce (mix together in a small bowl):
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon chili crisp (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon gochujang
- salt and pepper to taste (start with 1/4 teaspoon each)
For the Stir-Fry:
- 2 tablespoon neutral oil (like grapeseed or avocado)
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 medium carrot, julienned or thinly sliced
- 1 red or yellow bell paper, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup snow peas, trimmed.
Protein:
- 1 chicken breast, diced or thinly sliced
- For a meatless option, diced cubed smoked tofu is a delicious alternative.
Noodles & Garnish:
- 10-12 oz fresh or frozen udon noodles, cooked and well-drained
- 2-3 teaspoons black sesame seeds
- chopped scallions for garnish
Instructions
- Prep the sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, sesame oil, water, chili crisp, gochujang and a pinch of salt and pepper. Set aside.
- Saute Onions. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large wok or skilled over medium-high heat. Add dced onions and cook until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add garlic, ginger and veggies. Stir in the garlic, ginger, carrots, bell pepper and snow peas. Cook for another 2- 3 minutes, just until veggies begin to soften but remain vibrant.
- Add protein. Push veggies to the sides add another 1 tablespoons of oil if needed. Add cooked chicken and continue to stir-fry.
- Add sauce and noodles. Pour the sauce over the stir-fry, add cooked noodles and toss everything together. Stir-fry for another 2-3 minutes until well-coated and fragrant. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Serve. Plate immediately and garnish with black sesame seeds and fresh scallions.