With thick, chewy udon noodles smothered in a creamy, spicy peanut sauce that’s rich, nutty, and packed with flavour, this spicy peanut butter udon is my recent new obsession! Each slurp delivers a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and fiery flavours, with a hint of garlic, ginger, and a touch of tang to keep things bright.
Topped with sesame seeds, fresh spring onions, and drizzle of chilli oil for extra kick, this udon recipe is bold, comforting, and irresistibly delicious.
Table of contents
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Ready in 10 minutes: Simply whisk the sauce, and toss with cooked noodles, you’ll have a meal in a breeze. Perfect for a quick and easy lunch/weeknight dinner.
- Bold, addictive flavour: Combining creamy peanut butter with a punch of heat from garlic and chilli oil, balanced by white vinegar, savoury soy, and a touch of sweetness, every bite is a flavour explosion!
- Perfectly chewy: Thick, springy udon noodles cling to the sauce beautifully, giving you that satisfying slurp with each chopstick twirl.
- Customisable and versatile: This dish is delicious on its own, or you can add grilled chicken, shrimp, tofu, or veggies to make it heartier.
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Ingredients for spicy peanut butter udon
- Udon noodles: A thick, chewy noodle used in Japanese cuisine.
- Peanut butter: The key ingredient for the creamy peanut sauce.
- Soy sauce: Adds a boost of savoury umami to balance out the sweetness and spice, and make the sauce taste more complex and satisfying.
- Sesame oil: Adds an aromatic quality to the sauce, making it more irresistible.
- Mirin: A sweet Japanese rice wine that mellows out the bold flavours.
- White vinegar: Or rice vinegar or lime juice. This adds a touch of tang to brighten the sauce.
- Honey: For a touch of sweetness to balance out the savoury flavours.
- Garlic: Adds a pungent, savoury note to enhance the flavours.
- Chilli oil: For the spicy kick.
- Optionals: Garnish the dish with a sprinkle of sesame seeds, chopped spring onions, or crushed peanuts for extra crunch.
How to make spicy peanut butter udon in 10 minutes
- Prepare the sauce: In a bowl, mix together peanut butter, soy sauce, mirin, white vinegar, sesame oil, chilli oil, minced garlic, and honey. Set aside.
- Cook udon: Bring a pot of water to boil, cook the udon noodles according to the package (usually 2-3 min for fresh/frozen). Add 1-2 tablespoons of the udon water to the peanut sauce, and give it a mix.
- Toss noodles with sauce: Transfer the cooked udon noodles to a serving plate/bowl, pour in the spicy peanut sauce, and mix until all noodles are evenly coated with sauce.
- Serve: Garnish with sesame seeds, chopped spring onions, and a drizzle of extra chilli oil. Enjoy!
Success tips on making spicy peanut butter udon
Do not overcook the udon noodles.
You don’t want them to become mushy after cooking! Be sure to remove the udon noodles 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 with residual heat.
Reserve udon water.
The udon water helps to slightly thin the peanut sauce to avoid it from being too thick and rich. It also helps the udon noodles to cling onto the sauce as well.
Taste and adjust.
Be sure to do a taste test for the sauce to suit your preferences. Adjust the amount of chilli oil depending on your heat tolerance.
Can I use a different type of noodle?
Yes! Ramen, soba, rice noodles, or even spaghetti work well. Adjust cooking time based on the noodle type.
What if I don’t have mirin?
Substitute with 1 tsp honey + ½ tsp rice vinegar (per tbsp mirin) or a splash of sweet sherry or sake + a pinch of sugar.
How to store leftovers?
This dish will keep for up to 3-4 days refrigerated in an airtight container. However, the udon noodles will continue to soften so I’d recommend finishing it on the same day and enjoying it when it’s fresh and warm for the best taste!
Featuring chewy udon noodles in a velvety peanut sauce with a kick of chilli oil, dive into a bowl of bold flavours with this spicy peanut butter udon recipe. Every bite is a blend of creamy, spicy, and savoury flavours, with a touch of tang and sweetness for the perfect balance. Taking you less than 10 minutes to make, this dish is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a satisfying meal that leaves you craving more.
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Spicy Peanut Butter Udon
Ingredients
- 1 pack udon noodles
- 2 tbsp peanut butter
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 2 tsp mirin
- 1 tsp white vinegar
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 2 tsp chilli oil
- Chopped spring onions (optional for garnish)
- Sesame seeds (optional for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce: In a bowl, mix together peanut butter, soy sauce, mirin, white vinegar, sesame oil, chilli oil, minced garlic, and honey. Set aside.
- Cook udon: Bring a pot of water to boil, cook the udon noodles according to the package (usually 2-3 min for fresh/frozen). Add 1-2 tablespoons of the udon water to the peanut sauce, and give it a mix.
- Toss noodles with sauce: Transfer the cooked udon noodles to a serving plate/bowl, pour in the spicy peanut sauce, and mix until all noodles are evenly coated with sauce.
- Serve: Garnish with sesame seeds, chopped spring onions, and a drizzle of extra chilli oil. Enjoy!