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
Cuisine: Japanese
Ingredients: 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

Category Quick and Easy

Prep 15 minutes

Cook 25 minutes

Style Japanese

Technique Sautéing

Diet Friendly Vegetarian

Daily Recipe: December 29, 2023

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.

Additional

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!