Udon Noodles with Garlic and Sesame

These savory chilled udon noodles with garlic and sesame offer a delicious, healthy option for a quick lunch or light dinner. Tossed in an umami-packed garlic-sesame dressing and topped with baby bok choy, red bell pepper, sautéed shiitake mushrooms, and green onions, this Asian-style dish is both irresistible and easy to prepare.

A twisty bowl of noodles loaded with flavor

Friends, I love noodles, pretty much any kind. But Asian-style noodles such as ramen and udon, in particular, have a very special place in my heart. They're among my absolute favorite, because of the uniquely chewy yet tender texture!

I especially love using udon noodles for salad-y dishes like this, thanks to their thick, hearty texture and awesome toothsome bite. Plus, these chunky noodles are perfect for grabbing onto flavorful dressings and all the colorful bells and whistles I love to add.

My udon noodles with garlic and sesame are a chilled udon noodle dish, really quick and really easy to put together spur of the moment as a light dinner, or to prep as a healthy lunch for the next day.

The ultra-flavorful dressing brims with garlic, sesame, ginger, rice vinegar, and a kiss of honey, plus a touch of chili garlic sauce for heat. Just shake everything up in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid, and make it as spicy (or mild) as you like!

Toss the mouthwatering dressing with chilled udon noodles, quickly sautéed shiitake mushrooms, fresh baby bok choy, and crisp red bell pepper slices for a noodle dish bursting with color and bold flavor.

This recipe makes for the perfect healthy meal that hits all the flavor notes we crave!

My recipe for udon noodles with garlic and sesame

If you're new to udon noodles, they're delicious, slightly chewy Japanese wheat noodles often used in both hot and cold dishes throughout Japanese cuisine.

They're succulent and slurp-worthy in hot dishes like soups and bold stir-fries. But when served chilled and dressed in a sweet-savory, tangy sauce as a noodle salad, they offer a refreshing twist that's equally delicious.

Dried udon noodles work fine in a pinch, but they can be tricky to cook just right - they tend to get gummy and starchy if not watched carefully during boiling. Plus, they're not quite as thick and chewy as their fresh counterparts.

Fresh udon noodles, on the other hand, are a breeze to prepare. They take just 2 to 3 minutes in boiling water with no starchy residue (love that!), and they deliver that perfect thick texture and satisfying chew I'm always after. They're hands-down my preferred choice.

Here's a sneak peek at my udon noodles recipe with garlic and sesame: (or just jump to the full recipe...)

1. To get started, I prepare my garlic and sesame dressing to have ready and on hand for the udon noodles.
2. I then cook my fresh udon noodles according to package instructions (typically 2 to 3 minutes), rinse them under cold water when done, and set them aside.
3. Next, I sauté my shiitake mushrooms for a few minutes, then allow those to cool on a plate.
4. When ready to assemble, I drizzle the dressing over the udon noodles and gently toss to coat. Then I add the sliced bok choy, red bell pepper, and cooled mushrooms, giving everything one final toss to combine.
5. I serve the udon noodles garnished with green onion and additional sesame seeds.

Recipe

Udon Noodles with Garlic and Sesame

by Ingrid Beer

Print Recipe

These savory udon noodles are tossed in a garlic-sesame dressing, and brimming with bok choy, red bell pepper and shiitake mushrooms!

Category: Entree
Cuisine: Asian-American

Yield: Serves 6

Nutrition Info: 330 calories (per serving)

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Total time: 40 minutes

Udon Noodles Ingredients:

• 4 (7 ounce) packages fresh udon noodles (from the soup package), soup seasoning discarded
• Salt
• Avocado oil
• 7 ounces shiitake mushrooms, sliced thinly
• Black pepper
• 6 cloves garlic, pressed through garlic press
• 1 medium-large baby bok choy, thinly sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, cored and seeded, and thinly sliced
• Green onion, sliced, for garnish
• Sesame seeds, for garnish

Garlic-Sesame Dressing Ingredients:

• 6 cloves garlic, pressed through garlic press
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 ½ tablespoons chili-garlic sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon avocado (or other) oil
• 1 teaspoon grated ginger
• 1 teaspoon chili oil (optional)
• Pinch red pepper flakes (optional)

Preparation:

1. Begin by gathering and prepping your garlic-sesame dressing ingredients according to the ingredient list above to have ready and organized for use.
2. To make your dressing, add all ingredients to a jar with a top that you can close (a mason jar is perfect for this). Shake the dressing very well to completely combine all ingredients. Set aside to use immediately, or keep cold in fridge.
3. Next, gather and prep all of your udon noodles ingredients according to the ingredient list above to have ready and organized for use.
4. To prepare the udon noodles, place a medium-large pot of water over high heat. Add in a few pinches of salt, and bring to a rapid boil. Once boiling, add in the fresh udon noodles and, using chopsticks or the handle of your spoon, gently move them around to separate them. Cook for no longer than 3 minutes.
5. Drain and rinse the udon noodles under cold water thoroughly until the noodles are chilled.
6. Next, place a large pan over high heat, and drizzle in a bit of the oil. Once hot, add in the sliced mushrooms along with a pinch of salt and pepper, and sauté for a few minutes until softened and golden-brown. Then add in the garlic and stir to combine, sautéing just until aromatic. Spoon the mushrooms onto a plate to cool for a few moments.
7. To assemble, add the chilled udon noodles to a large bowl and toss with the dressing. Add in the sliced baby bok choy and red bell pepper, and cooled sautéed mushrooms. Toss gently once again to combine.
8. Divide evenly among bowls, and garnish the tops with some green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. Serve chilled.

Tips & Tidbits for my udon noodles with garlic and sesame recipe:

• Where to find fresh udon: Fresh udon noodles typically come vacuum-sealed in the refrigerated section of your local grocery store or Asian market, often packaged with soup seasoning. You'll only need the noodles themselves - you can discard the seasoning packet.
• A quick boil is all you need for fresh udon noodles: Bring a pot of water to a boil and add a little salt to season. Add your fresh udon noodles and gently separate them with chopsticks or a spoon, cooking for only 2 to 3 minutes - take care not to overcook. Drain and rinse immediately in cold water until chilled, then they're ready to dress.
• Cool your mushrooms before adding them in: After sauteing your shiitake mushrooms, allow them to cool before adding them into your chilled noodles, as you don't want to warm things up if keeping this a chilled dish.
• Make ahead and chill: You can prepare the ingredients and dressing for this recipe ahead of time: Cook the noodles, drain and rinse under cold water, then refrigerate them. Slice the veggies and prepare the dressing, keeping everything cold until needed. For the freshest flavor, dress the noodles just before serving (though leftovers will keep nicely in the fridge for a couple of days).
• Make this udon noodles recipe a warm dish: To enjoy this dish warm, keep the noodles warm after cooking and use the mushrooms while they're still hot. Warm the dressing (or a portion of it to start) in a large skillet or pan. Add the cooked udon noodles and remaining ingredients, toss together, and enjoy warm.

Craving more Asian-inspired recipes like this? Check out my Shrimp Fajita Stir Fry recipe, my recipe for Ramen with Lemongrass-Ginger Broth, Asian Noodle Salad with Peanut Dressing, Asian Salad Dressing, my Beef Stir Fry recipe, or perhaps my Teriyaki Salmon Bowl recipe!

Cook's Note: This recipe was originally published in 2017, and has been updated with even more love!