Rating: 3.73
(109)

Beef Udon

February 20, 2025

Beef udon is a rich, satisfying dish that brings together tender beef, thick udon noodles, and a savory broth. It’s a comforting, one-bowl meal that’s perfect for a cozy dinner or when you’re craving something hearty and flavorful. With its delicious combination of tender beef, chewy noodles, and a flavorful broth, beef udon is a great way to enjoy a warm and filling dish with minimal effort.

The foundation is the broth, which is typically made from a base of dashi (a Japanese stock made from kelp and bonito flakes), soy sauce, and mirin. This simple combination creates a deep, savory flavor that’s both umami-packed and slightly sweet. You can easily find dashi powder or premade dashi in many Asian grocery stores, which makes preparing the broth quick and easy.

The beef used in beef udon is typically thinly sliced to ensure it cooks quickly and absorbs the flavors of the broth. Flank steak or sirloin work well in this dish, as they remain tender even after being simmered. The beef is added to the simmering broth and cooked just until it’s no longer pink, infusing the broth with a rich, meaty flavor.

Udon noodles are thick, chewy, and provide the perfect texture to complement the beef and broth. They’re usually boiled separately and then added to the broth, where they soak up the delicious flavors. Udon noodles are a staple in Japanese cuisine and are a key part of this dish’s comforting appeal.

To finish the dish, top your dish with sliced green onions, a soft-boiled egg, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. Some variations of beef udon also include vegetables like mushrooms, spinach, or bok choy for extra texture and flavor. The addition of chili flakes or a drizzle of sesame oil can add a bit of heat and complexity if you prefer.

Beef udon is the perfect meal for a chilly day, providing both warmth and satisfaction in every bite. It’s a versatile dish that you can easily adapt to your preferences, and with its rich, savory flavors, it’s sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection.

Beef Udon
Beef Udon
3.73 from 109 votes
A delicious and warm bowl of Beef Udon features tender slices of beef and thick, chewy udon noodles in a savory broth, perfect for a comforting meal.
Servings 1 people
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 100 grams udon noodles fresh or frozen
  • 150 grams beef thinly sliced
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce light
  • 1 teaspoon sugar white or brown
  • 2 cups dashi stock preferably homemade or instant
  • 2 slices ginger fresh
  • 1 stalk green onion chopped
  • 1 tablespoon mirin a sweet rice wine

Instructions
 

  • Cook the udon noodles in boiling water according to the package instructions, then drain and set aside.
  • In a pot, combine dashi stock, soy sauce, sugar, and mirin. Add slices of ginger and bring to a simmer.
  • Add the sliced beef to the simmering broth and cook until the beef is just tender.
  • Place the cooked udon noodles into serving bowls, pour the beef and broth over the noodles.
  • Garnish with chopped green onions and serve hot.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 550kcalCarbohydrates: 65gProtein: 25gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 50mgSodium: 1500mgPotassium: 250mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 40mgIron: 3mg
Calories: 550kcal
Meal Type: Lunch
Cuisine: Japanese
Keyword: comfort food, Japanese cuisine, noodles
Cooking Method: Boiled
Time: 30-45 Min
Level: Easy
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Join the Conversation
  1. 5 stars
    This is the best udon recipe I’ve tried! The broth is so flavorful and the beef is super tender!

    1. User avatar star.braun1953 says:

      5 stars
      I’m so glad you loved it! The broth really makes a difference, doesn’t it? I’ve been trying to perfect my udon game too.

  2. User avatar madeline.walsh says:

    4 stars
    Simple and delicious! My kids loved it too. Thanks for sharing!

  3. User avatar raven.homenick says:

    5 stars
    This recipe is so easy and delicious! My family loved it!

    1. 5 stars
      I’m glad your family enjoyed it! It’s a family favorite in my house too. 😊

    2. 2 stars
      This looks kinda complicated for just noodles and beef. How do you even make dashi stock?

  4. User avatar kyla.yost1979 says:

    5 stars
    So good! My kids even ate it without fuss. Score!

    1. User avatar mervin.kreiger11 says:

      5 stars
      That’s awesome to hear! It’s a win when the kids enjoy it!

  5. 2 stars
    Really? I thought it would be better. The beef was kinda chewy and I think I added too much soy sauce.

  6. User avatar ahmad.fritsch says:

    2 stars
    I don’t know, it tasted kinda bland. I added some hot sauce but still felt off. Sorry.

  7. User avatar stanley.spinka51 says:

    5 stars
    OMG this is my new obsession! Perfect comfort food!

  8. User avatar joel.hayes1973 says:

    5 stars
    Absolutely loved this recipe! The flavors were amazing. Will definitely make it again!

    1. 2 stars
      This recipe seems too easy. How can it be that good? I might try it but I’m skeptical…

    2. 5 stars
      I’m so glad you enjoyed it! The flavors really do come together nicely, don’t they?

  9. 2 stars
    Beef udon sounds easy but i found the beef got chewy. Cooked it too long I guess—“just tender” is a bit vague. But broth flavor is on point!

  10. User avatar juli.lubowitz32 says:

    4 stars
    Yum! But where’s the garlic? I like garlic in my beef noodles!

  11. User avatar bryant.dooley says:

    5 stars
    This was a hit at my dinner party! The flavors were amazing. Will definitely make it again!

  12. User avatar tresa.hermiston2017 says:

    4 stars
    Not gonna lie, I didn’t have mirin so I subbed a splash of rice vinegar + a tiny bit of honey. It wasn’t the same but it still worked and tasted sweet-savory.

  13. User avatar raymon.lindgren says:

    3 stars
    Beef didn’t cook well for me. Seems like I did something wrong but followin the recipe!

    1. User avatar carma.moen50 says:

      3 stars
      I actually found the beef worked fine for me, but I used leftover steak. Maybe try that next time?

    2. 4 stars
      Sorry to hear that! Maybe the beef was too thick? I always slice mine thinner!

  14. User avatar sherril.cummerata2005 says:

    4 stars
    I have a question! Can I use leftover steak instead of fresh beef?

    1. User avatar ShanksOnePiece says:

      5 stars
      Sure, leftover steak should work just fine! Just slice it thinly. Enjoy!

    2. User avatar adelia.witting71 says:

      3 stars
      I dunno… leftover steak might change the taste, right? Fresh is better I think.

  15. User avatar Kenny Barrows says:

    5 stars
    Yum! Made it for my wife, and she was impressed. Perfect for a cold night.

  16. User avatar manual.hermann89 says:

    3 stars
    Tasty but honestly too much work for some noodle soup.

  17. User avatar franchesca.bosco93 says:

    3 stars
    I followed the steps exactly, but my broth never really “simmered” much—more like a sad simmer-lite. Maybe my pot was too small? Flavor was good regardless.

  18. 4 stars
    I didn’t have dashi stock so I used chicken broth. It was still good, but not authentic.

    1. User avatar Great Deku Tree says:

      4 stars
      Using chicken broth instead of dashi is a creative twist! I bet it added a nice flavor. Glad you enjoyed it!

  19. 3 stars
    Too much ginger for me, but overall a decent dish.

  20. User avatar Ra'zhinda says:

    5 stars
    So good! Made this for my kids and they cleaned their plates!

  21. User avatar emerson.gleichner says:

    1 star
    I tried making this and the noodles ended up too soggy. Should I cool them before adding the broth? 1 star.

  22. User avatar lamar.runolfsdottir14 says:

    2 stars
    Too complicated for me. I just wanted noodle and meat, not dashi and mirin lol!

    1. User avatar amada.baumbach71 says:

      4 stars
      I get it! Sometimes simpler is better. Maybe try just boiling the noodles and adding some cooked beef on top? That might work for you!

  23. User avatar Frost Atronach says:

    1 star
    Udon noodles taste like plastic. I don’t get the hype. Not for me.

  24. User avatar chantell.shields88 says:

    5 stars
    So good! I think it’s best with fresh noodles. <3

  25. User avatar mickey.gutkowski95 says:

    3 stars
    I thought this would be easy, but I mixed up the ingredients. How much beef is it again? 😕

    1. 2 stars
      I dunno, but I think the beef should be more. Maybe just guess? 😂

    2. User avatar cherry.pollich says:

      4 stars
      It’s 150 grams of beef! Don’t worry, we all mess up sometimes. Just follow the recipe step by step!

  26. User avatar myles.nikolaus13 says:

    5 stars
    My family devoured this! So comforting and delicious.

    1. User avatar cedric.batz2005 says:

      3 stars
      Seems simple enough, but I ain’t sure about dashi. Is that really necessary? Can’t I just use beef broth?

    2. 5 stars
      I’m so glad to hear that! This dish is a family favorite for sure. Did you add any extra toppings?

  27. User avatar jena.armstrong27 says:

    2 stars
    Too sweet for my taste. Next time, I’ll skip the sugar.

    1. User avatar yvonne.ruecker says:

      4 stars
      I totally get that! You can definitely adjust the sugar to your liking. A little less sugar might make it better for you!

  28. User avatar devin.beier48 says:

    5 stars
    Yum! Good recipe, tho I added some chili flakes for spice! Very satisfying dish!

  29. User avatar cathie.bode90 says:

    3 stars
    What’s the deal with dashi? Can I just use chicken broth? Never heard of it.

  30. User avatar Caulifla says:

    3 stars
    I tried this with chicken instead of beef. It turned out fine but should have just used beef.

  31. User avatar antony.kuhic says:

    5 stars
    This is awesome! I never made udon before but this turned out delicious. Thanks for sharing!

  32. User avatar greg.wolf says:

    1 star
    This was a disaster! The beef ended up chewy and the broth was bland.

  33. User avatar danyelle.kulas says:

    5 stars
    Simple.ingredients, amazing taste! Will definitely make it again!

    1. User avatar oPandariaNo says:

      5 stars
      I totally agree! This recipe is so easy and it tastes great! I’m adding it to my weekly menu.

  34. 2 stars
    Beef and udon? Sounds weird. I don’t know if I’d try it.

  35. User avatar Max Quordlepleen says:

    3 stars
    What’s dashi stock? Can’t find it in my grocery. Can I just use chicken broth instead? 🤔

  36. 3 stars
    Pretty good, but I wish I knew what dashi stock was. I just used chicken broth. Not the same, I guess.

    1. User avatar MAGA2024.Trumpster says:

      4 stars
      Dashi stock is like the secret sauce! Chicken broth works, but it ain’t the same magic. You should try to find some next time!

    2. User avatar buck.stamm says:

      3 stars
      I just used water ‘n soy sauce! Worked for me, lol. But yeah, dashi is better, I guess.

  37. User avatar nichelle.price83 says:

    3 stars
    Wait, what’s dashi? Never heard of it, I just boiled the beef.

  38. 3 stars
    Is dashi stock the same as chicken broth? This chef stuff is confusing 🤔. I used chicken broth and it was fine, right?

  39. 3 stars
    I just hate ginger, can I leave it out? Will it still be good?

  40. User avatar luther.ebert75 says:

    4 stars
    Good recipe, but I’m not sure if dashi is really necessary? Chicken broth works too.

  41. User avatar florencio.roob79 says:

    2 stars
    I tried this and it tasted like regular beef stew, not really Japanese-style. Maybe I’m missing something with the dashi/soy ratios?

  42. User avatar Chaurus Hunter says:

    3 stars
    Did you say mirin? I thought it was some kinda fish sauce. I ain’t got no rice wine, is there a substitute?

  43. 5 stars
    This was so tasty! The beef was super tender and the broth was packed with flavor. Definitely making this again!

  44. User avatar armadillo says:

    2 stars
    I don’t know, the flavor was not that great. Maybe I did something wrong but it was kinda bland.

  45. User avatar NAFO.SUPREMACY says:

    3 stars
    I don’t get it. My noodles turned mushy! How can I avoid that?

  46. User avatar katina.boehm71 says:

    4 stars
    Udon noodles are so simple to make! Just wish I had thought to add more vegetables to it. Next time for sure!

  47. User avatar zachary.armstrong says:

    2 stars
    I don’t know, it didn’t come out like I expected. Maybe I did something wrong but the broth was too salty for my taste.

    1. User avatar bryan.raynor says:

      4 stars
      I totally get you! Sometimes broth can be tricky. Maybe try less soy sauce next time? Cooking is all about experimenting!

  48. User avatar jewell.turner1953 says:

    5 stars
    This recipe is amazing! The beef was so tender and the broth was full of flavor. Will definitely make this again!

    1. User avatar harrison.wyman32 says:

      3 stars
      Wait, is the beef really that tender? I tried it once and mine was chewy…

    2. 5 stars
      I’m so glad you enjoyed it! The broth really does make a difference, right?

  49. User avatar Galaxia Woonbeam says:

    2 stars
    This recipe is mediocre. I’ve had better udon at a restaurant. Not worth the effort.

  50. User avatar Glossu "Beast" Rabban says:

    4 stars
    Impressed with how quickly it came together. Love udon! 😍

  51. 4 stars
    Simple and delicious! I added some mushrooms I had lying around. Yum!

  52. User avatar geraldo.turcotte27 says:

    5 stars
    Heavenly! Made it for my friends, and they couldn’t stop raving about it!

    1. User avatar lina.schmitt says:

      5 stars
      That’s awesome! I’m so glad everyone loved it! 😊 Did you use homemade dashi or instant? I’d love to hear more about how it turned out!

  53. User avatar kory.lemke39 says:

    3 stars
    It’s easy to make but I thought it could use something more, like a touch of spice.

    1. User avatar tobias.lynch says:

      5 stars
      I totally agree! I added some chili flakes and it was perfection! Spicy makes everything better.

    2. 2 stars
      Hmm, I don’t think spice is needed. This recipe is perfect as is, just a natural beef flavor is enough!

  54. User avatar jesus.hill91 says:

    5 stars
    This was AMAZING! I loved the flavors, tasted just like my favorite noodle shop! 5 stars!

  55. 5 stars
    Beef and noodles? Sounds like my kinda food!! I’ll give it a shot.

  56. User avatar corinna.weimann7 says:

    4 stars
    So easy to make! I added some veggies and it was great. Gonna make again! 👍

  57. User avatar shelba.tremblay says:

    2 stars
    This was too salty for my taste. I think I will skip the soy sauce next time.

  58. 2 stars
    Noodles n stuff. Aight.

    1. User avatar creola.johnston1950 says:

      5 stars
      Sounds good! I love udon. 😍

    2. User avatar theo.romaguera1993 says:

      3 stars
      Noodles? That sounds simple. But can I use chicken instead of beef?

  59. User avatar rudy.lubowitz49 says:

    5 stars
    so delish!!! 😍 Can’t wait to make it again!

  60. User avatar garland.schmidt says:

    4 stars
    Too easy! I thought it would take longer, but I whipped it up in no time! Will make again for sure!!

  61. User avatar Feyd-Rautha Rabban says:

    3 stars
    Mine turned out a little salty even with light soy sauce. I think my dashi was stronger than expected. Still tasty, just need to adjust the seasoning.

  62. User avatar wonda.price1952 says:

    2 stars
    Honestly, I’m not sure what I did wrong, but this came out super bland. I added more soy sauce and still nothing. 2/5.

  63. 5 stars
    I’m picky about udon texture—mine came out perfect after draining well. I also added the noodles right before serving, like the recipe says. Great balance.

    1. User avatar viki.rosenbaum1952 says:

      5 stars
      Totally agree—draining well makes a huge difference for udon texture. I started adding them right before serving too and it’s night and day. Thanks for the confirmation!

  64. User avatar Winter Thiel says:

    5 stars
    This is comfort food for people who don’t want to fuss. I love that it’s mostly pantry stuff + dashi. Green onion on top makes it look fancy.

    1. User avatar tarra.kulas says:

      5 stars
      Yes!! I made this with instant dashi and it still tasted super comforting. The ginger + mirin combo is magic, and the green onion really levels it up.

    2. 3 stars
      Maybe I’m doing it wrong but my beef got kinda tough. I used too thick slices I guess? Still tasted good though—easy pantry dinner.

  65. 4 stars
    Yum! Simple ingredients and quick to make. This is a keeper! 👍😊

  66. User avatar smartestRedditor says:

    4 stars
    My family loved this! It took me back to Japan. Only thing is, I forgot the green onions.

  67. User avatar cyril.kling says:

    5 stars
    Absolutely delicious! The flavors are so rich, my family loved it! 😋

    1. User avatar micheal.schmitt says:

      5 stars
      I’m glad you loved it! The combination of flavors really makes it special. 😊

  68. User avatar Thanh Leffler V says:

    4 stars
    Too much beef for my taste. Next time, I’ll go with chicken. How do you make the brothless version?

  69. User avatar Super Saiyan 2 Gohan says:

    3 stars
    It needs more beef! I added extra slices but still felt like not enough. Next time, I’ll put twice as much! 😂

    1. User avatar alden.farrell38 says:

      5 stars
      Totally agree! More beef is always a good idea! 😄

  70. User avatar Draugr Death Overlord says:

    4 stars
    Quick question: do you remove the ginger slices after simmering? I left them in and they were still flavorful but kinda strong. Overall good though.

    1. 5 stars
      I usually take the ginger out after simmering—about 10 minutes—so it doesn’t get too punchy. Leaving it in can make it stronger, but it sounds like you liked the flavor overall!

  71. User avatar Beregond says:

    3 stars
    Just ok. It needs more spice, it was too bland for me.

  72. User avatar sharie.frami2007 says:

    2 stars
    The sugar in this is weird.. not sure it’s needed. Anyone else think so?

  73. 5 stars
    Made this tonight and it was cozy in the best way. The ginger + mirin combo is magic, and the beef stayed tender. I used instant dashi and it still tasted legit.

    1. 5 stars
      Cozy is exactly the word. Ginger + mirin really does something special here—glad the beef stayed tender!

  74. User avatar felix.fahey72 says:

    4 stars
    Really solid recipe. I was skeptical about 2 cups dashi being “enough” but the sauce coats the udon nicely. Next time I’ll slice the beef a bit thinner though.

3.73 from 109 votes
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