The steamy Udon noodles generously coated with a glossy, caramel-hued sauce, sit comfortably in a classic black ceramic bowl. Hints of green from the Nori and a scatter of sesame seeds create a color contrast. Slices of beautifully caramelized onions glisten on top, catching the light. A pair of wooden chopsticks rests on the side.

Sake-Infused Caramelized Onion Udon

Name: Sake-Infused Caramelized Onion Udon
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Japanese
Ingredients: 2 large onion thinly sliced; 1/2 cup sake; 1/3 cup soy sauce; 2 tablespoons brown sugar; 4 packets udon noodles; 4 cups vegetable stock; 4 nori sheets cut into thin strips; 1 tablespoon sesame seeds roasted; 2 tablespoons vegetable oil; 2 garlic cloves minced; to taste salt

Hearty, flavorful, onion-infused Japanese Udon.

Category Quick and Easy

Prep 15 minutes

Cook 25 minutes

Style Japanese

Technique Sautéing

Diet Friendly Vegetarian

Daily recipe · December 29, 2023

A little about this dish

In this delightful twist on a Japanese classic, we're incorporating an unexpected winter hero, the onion, into a quick and easy dish that will wow your senses and your Instagram followers. The caramelization of the onion adds a sweet complexity and comforting warmth to this dish, further enhanced by the aromatic scent of sake and soy. Topped with crisp Nori and a roasted Sesame crunch, every bite is sure to be a playbook of textures.

Ingredients (for 4)

Large onion — 2 — thinly sliced
Sake — 1/2 cup
Soy sauce — 1/3 cup
Brown sugar — 2 tablespoons
Udon noodles — 4 packets
Vegetable stock — 4 cups
Nori sheets — 4 — cut into thin strips
Sesame seeds — 1 tablespoon — roasted
Vegetable oil — 2 tablespoons
Garlic cloves — 2 — minced
Salt — to taste

Preparation

Step 1 — 🌰🔥🍳

Heat oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add thinly sliced onions and a pinch of salt. Stir frequently until onions are soft and golden.
Step 2 — 🍶🔥🍳

Pour in sake into the pan, allowing it to cook down for about 3 minutes.
Step 3 — 🥣🍯🥢

Add in soy sauce and brown sugar, stirring continuously until the mixture reduces to a thick, caramel-like consistency.
Step 4 — 🍜💦🔥

In another pot, bring vegetable stock to boil and cook the Udon noodles as per package instructions.
Step 5 — 🍜🔄🥣

Drain the cooked noodles and mix it well with the caramelized onion sauce.
Step 6 — 🥣🌿🍽

Serve in bowls, topped with crisped Nori strips and roasted sesame seeds.

A final fox tip

For a non-vegetarian twist, feel free to add thin slices of pan-seared chicken or beef. Alternatively, top the dish with a poached egg for a different layer of flavor and richness. Additionally, the kids can help by stirring the onions as they caramelize– under supervision of course!