Offering a perfect balance of heat, sweetness, and umami, this creamy gochujang udon bursts with bold, comforting flavours in every slurp. The thick, chewy udon noodles are coated in a creamy, luscious sauce infused with gochujang (Korean red pepper paste), delivering a deep, savoury, and spicy flavour that is perfectly balanced with a touch of creamy goodness.
Topped with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped spring onions for added crunch and freshness, this dish is a delicious twist on classic udon that will keep you coming back for more.
Table of contents
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Only 5 ingredients: All you need is just udon noodles, garlic, gochujang, heavy cream, and a touch of sweetness.
- Bold and addictive flavours: Blending the rich, spicy-sweet depth of gochujang with heavy cream, every bite is packed with umami and a slightly fiery taste that’s impossible to resist.
- Quick and easy: Ready in 15 minutes from start to finish, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights when you crave a delicious, fuss-free meal.
- Hearty and comforting: With thick, chewy udon noodles coated in a silky, rich sauce, this bowl of creamy gochujang udon is literally pure comfort food heaven.
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Ingredients for creamy gochujang udon
- Udon noodles: A thick, chewy noodle used in Japanese cuisine. You can get it here
- Garlic: Sets a deep, savoury, and aromatic flavour base for the sauce.
- Gochujang: Korean red pepper paste is a staple ingredient in Korean cuisine. It has a umami-packed flavour that gives a fermented, savoury-spicy kick to the sauce.
- Heavy cream: Neutralises the heat from gochujang and gives the sauce a rich, creamy goodness.
- Sugar: This adds a touch of sweetness to round out the bold flavours, making the sauce more harmonious.
- Optionals: Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese for an extra savoury and creamy flavour, and chopped spring onions for added crunch and freshness.
How to make creamy gochujang udon
- Make the creamy gochujang sauce: In a deep frying pan, heat some oil over medium heat, and sauté minced garlic until fragrant. Stir in heavy cream and gochujang. Season the sauce with sugar, and do a taste test.
- Cook udon noodles: Bring a pot of water to boil, and cook the udon noodles 1 minute less than the package recommends.
- Toss noodles: Transfer the udon noodles to the sauce, and toss to coat evenly. Adjust the thickness of sauce with udon water if needed.
- Serve: Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped spring onions. Enjoy!
Success tips on making creamy gochujang udon
Do not overcook the udon noodles.
To ensure the udon noodles remain chewy after cooking, be sure to remove them from the pot once you can break them apart, since you’ll be tossing them with the sauce at the last step, which will continue to soften the noodles.
Reserve udon water.
If the sauce gets too thick, you can add a splash of udon water to loosen it. It helps the noodles to stick to the sauce, and creates that glossy finish!
Taste and adjust.
Depending on your heat tolerance, adjust the amounts of spicy gochujang and heavy cream to suit your taste preferences.
Popular substitutions & additions
- For extra savoury depth: You can sauté some bacon bits until golden-brown crisp and use the oil released from bacon to cook the sauce. This amplifies the savoury goodness of the sauce, making it even more irresistible.
- Umami bomb: Soy sauce is a delicious addition to this creamy gochujang udon recipe. It enhances the dish with savoury depth, saltiness, and umami that pairs perfectly with the spicy-sweet creaminess.
- Choose your own toppings: Top with a soft-boiled egg, crispy bacon, sautéed mushrooms, or fresh veggies to make it your own bowl of creamy gochujang udon.
How to store leftovers?
The udon noodles will become mushy after storing with the sauce so I’d recommend finishing it on the same day and enjoying it when it’s fresh and warm for the best taste!
Whether you’re craving something bold, comforting, or just downright delicious, dive into a bowl of pure satisfaction with this creamy gochujang udon. It is silky, spicy, and irresistibly creamy, and takes you less than 15 minutes from start to finish!
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Creamy Gochujang Udon
Ingredients
- 2 packs udon noodles
- 6 garlic cloves minced
- 2-3 tbsp gochujang (Korean red pepper paste)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp sugar
- Grated Parmesan cheese (optional topping)
- Chopped spring onions (optional topping)
Instructions
- Make the creamy gochujang sauce: In a deep frying pan, heat some oil over medium heat, and sauté minced garlic until fragrant. Stir in heavy cream and gochujang. Season the sauce with sugar, and do a taste test.
- Cook udon noodles: Bring a pot of water to boil, and cook the udon noodles 1 minute less than the package recommends.
- Toss noodles: Transfer the udon noodles to the sauce, and toss to coat evenly. Adjust the thickness of sauce with udon water if needed.
- Serve: Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped spring onions. Enjoy!