If you are craving a rich and hearty udon dish, Curry Udon is the perfect choice. Combining the richness of curry with the flavors of udon noodle soup, it is definitely worth trying.
2servingsudon noodles(fresh, dried, pre-cooked, or frozen)
3.5ozJapanese leek (naganegi)(it can be substituted with regular leek)
1green onions / scallions
5.3ozthinly sliced beef
1.76ozJapanese curry roux
1Tbsppotato starch or corn starch
1Tbspwater(for the starch)
Bonito dashi (udon broth):
3cupswater
⅗cupbonito flakes (katsuobushi)
Seasonings:
2Tbspmirin
1tspsugar
1 ½Tbspsoy sauce
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Instructions
Put water in a pot and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, add bonito flakes, and let it simmer for 3 minutes.
Turn off the heat and strain the mixture through a sieve lined with paper towels or a cloth (such as cheesecloth). Alternatively, if you don't mind having some fine bonito flakes remaining, you can simply use a fine-mesh strainer. Bonito dashi (udon broth) is now ready.
Cut Japanese leek into ⅕-inch (5mm) diagonal slices. Thinly slice green onion diagonally or into rings. Cut beef into bite-sized pieces.
Return the bonito dashi to the pot, add the leeks, beef, and seasonings (mirin, sugar, and soy sauce), and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 3 minutes, skimming off any scum.
Turn off the heat, add curry roux to the pot, and dissolve it. In a small bowl, mix starch with water, then gradually add the mixture to the pot. Heat the pot again and simmer briefly to eliminate the powdery texture of the starch.
If using fresh, dried, or pre-cooked udon noodles: Boil the udon noodles according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain them in a colander.If using frozen udon noodles: Lightly sprinkle water over the udon noodles. Then, place them on a microwave-safe plate, cover with plastic wrap, and microwave on medium power (500W) for about 4 minutes. You can also cook them by boiling, just like the other types of udon noodles.
Place the udon noodles in a bowl and pour the curry soup over them. Loosen the udon noodles with chopsticks and then top with the green onions.
Notes
If you already have bonito dashi (udon dashi) or another type of dashi, start from step 3. In this case, use 2 ½ cups (600ml) of your dashi for 2 servings.
You can store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. However, it is recommended to combine the udon noodles with the soup just before eating, as cooked udon noodles tend to lose their texture over time.