Flavorful Yaki Udon with Shrimps: Quick Noodle Stir-Fry (Print Version)

Whip up Flavorful Yaki Udon with Shrimps in a flash! This easy stir-fry is packed with savory goodness and juicy prawns. Perfect for a weeknight meal.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 10 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: Japanese
Dietary: Contains Shellfish

# Ingredients:

→ Noodle & Protein Base

01 - 16 oz (450g) frozen udon noodles
02 - 1 lb (450g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined (tails on or off)

→ Savory Sauce Essentials

03 - 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
04 - 2 tbsp mirin
05 - 1 tbsp sake (or dry white wine/chicken broth)
06 - 1 tbsp oyster sauce

→ Fresh Veggies & Aromatics

07 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 1-inch piece fresh ginger, grated
09 - 1/2 medium onion, thinly sliced
10 - 1/2 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
11 - 1 cup snap peas
12 - 1 tbsp neutral oil (peanut or canola)

→ Finishing Touches

13 - 2 green onions, sliced
14 - 1 tsp sesame seeds

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, get everything chopped and measured. This is where I always make a mini-mess, with little piles of garlic and ginger everywhere! Whisk together your soy sauce, mirin, sake, and oyster sauce in a small bowl. Having this ready before you start cooking is crucial; stir-frying moves fast, and you don't want to be scrambling for ingredients mid-way. Trust me, I've tried to wing it once, and it did not end well. This prep makes cooking your Flavorful Yaki Udon with Shrimps so much smoother.
02 - Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add your frozen udon noodles and cook them just until they separate and are tender, usually only 2-3 minutes. This is where I always forget to salt the water, oops! Immediately drain them and rinse them under cold water to stop the cooking and prevent them from sticking. A little oil can also help keep them from clumping. Nobody wants mushy udon in their Flavorful Yaki Udon with Shrimps, so don't overcook them!
03 - Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat with a splash of oil. Add your minced garlic and grated ginger, and stir-fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant—oh, that smell! It's absolutely intoxicating. Then, toss in your shrimp and cook for 1-2 minutes per side, just until they turn pink and opaque. Don't overcrowd the pan, or the shrimp will steam instead of sear. I've made that mistake more times than I care to admit!
04 - Remove the shrimp from the pan and set aside. Add the sliced onion and bell pepper to the same pan, adding a tiny bit more oil if needed. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until they start to soften but still have a nice crisp bite. You want them tender-crisp, not soggy. This adds wonderful texture and color to your Flavorful Yaki Udon with Shrimps.
05 - Now for the magic! Add the cooked udon noodles and the snap peas to the pan with the vegetables. Pour in your prepared sauce mixture. Toss everything together vigorously, making sure the noodles and veggies are thoroughly coated in that delicious, savory sauce. This is where the kitchen chaos really begins for me, with noodles flying a little, but it's all part of the fun!
06 - Return the cooked shrimp to the pan and toss gently to combine and heat through, about another minute. The whole dish should be glistening and smell absolutely incredible. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed – maybe a dash more soy sauce, or a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like a little heat. Serve your hot Flavorful Yaki Udon with Shrimps immediately, garnished generously with sliced green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. So good!

# Notes:

01 - Always have your sauce pre-mixed and all ingredients prepped before you start stir-frying; it moves too fast to measure as you go.
02 - Don't overcook the shrimp! They go from perfectly tender to rubbery in a flash, and I’ve learned that the hard way.
03 - For truly Flavorful Yaki Udon with Shrimps, use a good quality frozen udon for the best chewy texture.
04 - For presentation, a sprinkle of extra green onions and sesame seeds always makes this dish pop!

# Tools You'll Need:

01 - Large skillet or wok
02 - small mixing bowl
03 - pot for boiling noodles

# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):

Calories: 450 Calories
Total Fat: 12g
Total Carbohydrate: 55g
Protein: 30g

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