Savory Shrimp Yaki Udon (Printable)
Succulent shrimp and udon noodles tossed with crisp veggies in a savory soy-oyster sauce for a quick, flavorful weeknight meal.
# What You Need:
→ Seafood
01 - 14 oz large shrimp, peeled and deveined
→ Noodles
02 - 14 oz fresh or frozen udon noodles
→ Vegetables
03 - 1 small carrot, julienned
04 - 1 small onion, thinly sliced
05 - 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
06 - 2 cups baby spinach or bok choy
07 - 2 green onions, sliced
→ Sauce
08 - 3 tablespoons soy sauce
09 - 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
10 - 1 tablespoon mirin or dry sherry
11 - 1 teaspoon sesame oil
12 - 2 teaspoons sugar
→ Aromatics and Oils
13 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
14 - 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
15 - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
→ Garnishes
16 - Toasted sesame seeds
17 - Shredded nori
18 - Lime wedges
# How-To:
01 - In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, mirin, sesame oil, and sugar until the sugar dissolves. Set aside.
02 - Prepare the udon noodles according to package directions. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
03 - Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes until pink and opaque throughout. Transfer the shrimp to a plate and set aside.
04 - Add the remaining tablespoon of vegetable oil to the same pan. Sauté the minced garlic and grated ginger for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
05 - Add the sliced onion, julienned carrot, and sliced bell pepper to the pan. Stir-fry for 3 to 4 minutes until the vegetables are just tender but still retain a slight crunch.
06 - Return the cooked shrimp to the pan and add the drained udon noodles. Pour the prepared sauce over everything and toss well to coat the noodles and vegetables evenly.
07 - Add the baby spinach or bok choy along with the sliced green onions. Stir-fry for 1 to 2 minutes until the greens are just wilted. Serve immediately, garnished with toasted sesame seeds, shredded nori, and lime wedges if desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The sauce is that magical combination of soy, oyster, and mirin that makes everything it touches taste like you ordered takeout from your favorite spot.
- It genuinely comes together in half an hour, which means it is faster than delivery and honestly better.
02 -
- Do not overcook the shrimp because they will continue cooking slightly when you add them back to the hot pan with the noodles and sauce.
- Have every single ingredient prepped and measured before you turn on the stove because stir fry moves fast and there is no pausing once you start.
03 -
- Cook the shrimp in a single layer without crowding the pan so they sear instead of steaming and get that beautiful golden edge.
- Fresh ginger freezes beautifully and grates much more finely straight from frozen, so keep a knob in the freezer at all times for recipes like this.