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.

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.
This is the best udon recipe I’ve tried! The broth is so flavorful and the beef is super tender!
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.
Simple and delicious! My kids loved it too. Thanks for sharing!
This recipe is so easy and delicious! My family loved it!
I’m glad your family enjoyed it! It’s a family favorite in my house too. 😊
This looks kinda complicated for just noodles and beef. How do you even make dashi stock?
So good! My kids even ate it without fuss. Score!
That’s awesome to hear! It’s a win when the kids enjoy it!
Really? I thought it would be better. The beef was kinda chewy and I think I added too much soy sauce.
I don’t know, it tasted kinda bland. I added some hot sauce but still felt off. Sorry.
OMG this is my new obsession! Perfect comfort food!
Absolutely loved this recipe! The flavors were amazing. Will definitely make it again!
This recipe seems too easy. How can it be that good? I might try it but I’m skeptical…
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! The flavors really do come together nicely, don’t they?
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!
Yum! But where’s the garlic? I like garlic in my beef noodles!
This was a hit at my dinner party! The flavors were amazing. Will definitely make it again!
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.
Beef didn’t cook well for me. Seems like I did something wrong but followin the recipe!
I actually found the beef worked fine for me, but I used leftover steak. Maybe try that next time?
Sorry to hear that! Maybe the beef was too thick? I always slice mine thinner!
I have a question! Can I use leftover steak instead of fresh beef?
Sure, leftover steak should work just fine! Just slice it thinly. Enjoy!
I dunno… leftover steak might change the taste, right? Fresh is better I think.
Yum! Made it for my wife, and she was impressed. Perfect for a cold night.
Tasty but honestly too much work for some noodle soup.
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.
I didn’t have dashi stock so I used chicken broth. It was still good, but not authentic.
Using chicken broth instead of dashi is a creative twist! I bet it added a nice flavor. Glad you enjoyed it!
Too much ginger for me, but overall a decent dish.
So good! Made this for my kids and they cleaned their plates!
I tried making this and the noodles ended up too soggy. Should I cool them before adding the broth? 1 star.
Too complicated for me. I just wanted noodle and meat, not dashi and mirin lol!
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!
Udon noodles taste like plastic. I don’t get the hype. Not for me.
So good! I think it’s best with fresh noodles. <3
I thought this would be easy, but I mixed up the ingredients. How much beef is it again? 😕
I dunno, but I think the beef should be more. Maybe just guess? 😂
It’s 150 grams of beef! Don’t worry, we all mess up sometimes. Just follow the recipe step by step!
My family devoured this! So comforting and delicious.
Seems simple enough, but I ain’t sure about dashi. Is that really necessary? Can’t I just use beef broth?
I’m so glad to hear that! This dish is a family favorite for sure. Did you add any extra toppings?
Too sweet for my taste. Next time, I’ll skip the sugar.
I totally get that! You can definitely adjust the sugar to your liking. A little less sugar might make it better for you!
Yum! Good recipe, tho I added some chili flakes for spice! Very satisfying dish!
What’s the deal with dashi? Can I just use chicken broth? Never heard of it.
I tried this with chicken instead of beef. It turned out fine but should have just used beef.
This is awesome! I never made udon before but this turned out delicious. Thanks for sharing!
This was a disaster! The beef ended up chewy and the broth was bland.
Simple.ingredients, amazing taste! Will definitely make it again!
I totally agree! This recipe is so easy and it tastes great! I’m adding it to my weekly menu.
Beef and udon? Sounds weird. I don’t know if I’d try it.
What’s dashi stock? Can’t find it in my grocery. Can I just use chicken broth instead? 🤔
Pretty good, but I wish I knew what dashi stock was. I just used chicken broth. Not the same, I guess.
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!
I just used water ‘n soy sauce! Worked for me, lol. But yeah, dashi is better, I guess.
Wait, what’s dashi? Never heard of it, I just boiled the beef.
Is dashi stock the same as chicken broth? This chef stuff is confusing 🤔. I used chicken broth and it was fine, right?
I just hate ginger, can I leave it out? Will it still be good?
Good recipe, but I’m not sure if dashi is really necessary? Chicken broth works too.