Vegetarian

Creamy Japanese Curry Udon

July  9, 2024
5
1 Ratings
Photo by Elvin Abril
  • Prep time 5 minutes
  • Cook time 20 minutes
  • Serves 4
Author Notes

Have you ever wondered what makes Japanese curry so unique? It boasts a complex blend of spices, with notes of turmeric, cumin, coriander, and a hint of apple or honey for sweetness. While it's often enjoyed as a thick stew over rice, Japanese curry's adaptability shines in this creamy udon. Available in both roux blocks and powder form, I prefer using powder when I'm not making a traditional stew, as it offers more control over the final flavor. Udon noodles, with their thick, slippery texture, are the perfect vehicle for the rich, creamy curry sauce. —César Pérez

Continue After Advertisement
Ingredients
  • 16 ounces udon noodles, frozen
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 teaspoons hondashi granules
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 3 tablespoons Japanese curry powder (such as S&B brand)
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
  • 1 teaspoon sugar or honey
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • ½ cups heavy cream
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Chopped scallions, for garnish.
Directions
  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the udon noodles and cook according to package directions until tender. Drain, reserving 2 cups of water, and set aside. Into the reserved 2 cups of hot udon water, dissolve the hondashi granules. Set prepared dashi aside.
  2. In a separate saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the curry powder, turmeric, sugar, ginger, and garlic. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Gradually whisk in the prepared dashi. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes, or until the sauce thickens slightly. Stir in the heavy cream and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until heated through. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  4. Add the cooked udon noodles to the curry sauce and toss gently to coat. Garnish with sliced scallions.

See what other Food52ers are saying.

Recipe by: César Pérez

Recipe Developer & Food52 Test Kitchen Content Creator

3 Reviews

Hiroling July 13, 2024
Hondashi granules may contain fish broth extract; depending on the brand you purcgase. So it may not be Vegetarian …
Just make sure you use kelp only base, NOT the ones with bonitos/scallops/shrimp extracts
Leslie V. September 4, 2024
I am limited in travel to find ingredients..What could I use in place of the H Granules? I am not a vegan.
Thanks.
Leslie V. September 4, 2024
I am thinking of folding in Shrimp or scallops in the final stage..to make it a whole meal. Thoughts?