Niku Udon, or Japanese Beef Udon (肉うどん), is a beloved comfort food that captures the essence of cozy Japanese home cooking. This hearty noodle soup features thick, chewy udon noodles swimming in a savory dashi broth, crowned with tender, thinly sliced beef and onions simmered in a sweet-savory sauce. The magic lies in how the beef’s juices and seasonings blend into the broth as you eat, creating a rich, deeply flavorful soup that feels luxurious yet remains simple to prepare.
Popular in udon shops and households across Japan, Niku Udon is especially welcoming on chilly days. Unlike clearer styles like kake udon, this version gains its signature richness from the meat topping, which infuses the broth with umami and a gentle sweetness. Best of all, you can recreate this restaurant-quality dish at home in just 30–40 minutes using everyday Japanese pantry staples.
Why Niku Udon Feels So Comforting
At its core, Niku Udon combines:
- Chewy udon noodles for satisfying texture.
- Umami-packed dashi broth as the light yet flavorful base.
- Sweet-savory beef and onions that add meaty depth and richness when stirred in.
The result is a bowl that’s warming, balanced, and endlessly craveable—perfect for weeknight dinners or when you need something soul-soothing.
Ingredients (Serves 2–3)
For the rich dashi broth:
- 4–5 cups (1–1.2 L) water
- 1 piece kombu (dried kelp, about 4×4 inches / 10×10 cm), or 1–2 tsp instant dashi powder
- ½–¾ cup katsuobushi (dried bonito flakes)
- 2–3 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp mirin
- 1 Tbsp sake (optional, for extra depth)
- 1 tsp sugar (adjust to taste)
- Pinch of salt
For the flavorful beef topping:
- 250–400 g (8–14 oz) thinly sliced beef (sukiyaki or shabu-shabu style; ribeye, sirloin, or chuck works well—freeze briefly for easier slicing)
- 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
- 1–2 Tbsp neutral oil (vegetable or canola)
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp mirin
- 1 Tbsp sake
- 1–2 tsp sugar
- Optional: 1 tsp grated ginger or garlic for added aroma
For the noodles and garnish:
- 2–3 servings thick udon noodles (fresh, frozen, or dried; about 200–250 g per person)
- 1–2 green onions (scallions), finely sliced
- Optional toppings: shichimi togarashi (Japanese seven-spice), soft-boiled egg, nori strips, or sesame seeds
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the dashi broth
Place the kombu in cold water and soak for 10–30 minutes if time allows. Heat over medium until small bubbles form around the edges, then remove the kombu. Add katsuobushi, simmer gently for 1–2 minutes, turn off the heat, and let steep for 3–5 minutes. Strain out the bonito flakes. Season the dashi with soy sauce, mirin, sake, sugar, and salt. Taste and adjust for a savory, gently sweet profile. Keep warm. - Cook the beef and onion topping
Heat oil in a pan over medium. Add the sliced onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until soft and slightly caramelized. Add the beef slices and stir-fry briefly until no longer pink (1–2 minutes). Pour in soy sauce, mirin, sake, and sugar. Simmer for 2–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and coats the beef and onions. The beef releases juices here, adding that signature rich flavor. - Cook the udon noodles
Boil the noodles according to package directions (fresh/frozen: 2–3 minutes; dried: longer). Drain and rinse briefly under cold water if needed to remove excess starch, then drain well. - Assemble and serve
Divide the cooked udon into large bowls. Ladle the hot seasoned dashi over the noodles. Generously top with the simmered beef and onion mixture, spooning extra sauce over everything. Scatter sliced green onions on top.
Serve immediately while piping hot. Encourage stirring the beef into the broth—the flavors meld into an incredibly comforting, richly umami soup.
Tips for the Richest, Most Satisfying Bowl
- Choose beef with some marbling for deeper flavor.
- Simmer the beef topping a bit longer to concentrate the sauce.
- For an even thicker-feeling broth, add a splash of the beef sauce directly to the dashi.
- Elevate it with a soft-poached or onsen egg—the runny yolk adds silky richness.
Niku Udon is more than just a meal; it’s Japanese comfort at its finest—simple ingredients transformed into something truly nourishing. Whip up a batch next time you’re craving warmth and flavor in one steaming bowl. 🍜🥩
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