How to Cook Udon Noodles: 4 Easy Ways with Nissin Demae Iccho Bar Udon
What is Udon? Udon is a thick, chewy Japanese noodle made from wheat flour, water, and salt. It can be served hot in a comforting soup or cold with a dipping sauce.
Is Udon Japanese? Yes! Udon is a traditional Japanese staple. Different regions in Japan boast their own unique noodle thicknesses and textures.
Among them, Inaniwa Udon from the Akita prefecture is highly prized. It is slightly thinner, flatter, and incredibly silky. Traditionally hand-stretched over several days using a 17th-century technique, it has a luxurious, velvety texture with a gentle bite.
As a food pioneer, Nissin has used modern food technology to capture the authentic, silky texture of Inaniwa-style udon in their Nissin Demae Iccho Bar Udon line. To elevate the experience, they've paired these premium noodles with 4 distinct, flavorful soup bases: Curry, Bonito, Tonkotsu, and Tomato Beef.
Since dry Inaniwa-style udon can be hard to find overseas, this collection is a major win for food lovers! Below is your ultimate step-by-step guide to cooking these premium bowls at home.
#1 Curry Beef Udon: with Marble Beef Slices, Radish, and Onion Slices
Beef and radish (carrots) are the golden duo of Japanese curry. This dish is essentially the udon noodle version of that classic pairing! We swap heavy beef chunks for thin marble beef slices, which cook in seconds, and use baby radish slices so they soften quickly. A final garnish of sliced onions adds a natural sweetness and aroma to the rich curry broth.
🛒 Get the Noodles: Buy Nissin Bar Udon (Curry Flavor) Here
👉 Click here for the full Curry Beef Udon Recipe & Cook Times!
#2 Bonito Udon: with Japanese Fish Balls, Bean Sprouts, and Spring Onion
This clear-broth udon smells absolutely incredible. It always reminds me of the comforting fish ball noodle stalls in Hong Kong, bringing back a warm wave of nostalgia 🥹. Japanese fish balls and crisp bean sprouts are a match made in heaven with the smoky, umami-rich bonito and kombu soup base. Top it off with fresh spring onions and katsuobushi (bonito flakes) for an extra layer of smoky depth.
🛒 Get the Noodles: Buy Nissin Bar Udon (Bonito Flavor) Here
👉 Click here for the full Bonito Fish Ball Udon Recipe & Cook Times!
#3 Tonkotsu Char Siu Udon: with Homemade Honey Char Siu, Shiitake Mushroom, and Sweet Corn
Ramen fans, this one is for you! This recipe pairs the rich, creamy, and milky broth of a classic pork-bone tonkotsu ramen with the silky, chewy texture of Inaniwa-style udon. While store-bought char siu works great, I love topping this with homemade honey-glazed Cantonese char siu. Sweet corn and fresh shiitake mushrooms are added to perfectly soak up that rich pork broth.
🛒 Get the Noodles: Buy Nissin Bar Udon (Tonkotsu Flavor) Here
👉 Click here for the full Tonkotsu Char Siu Udon Recipe & Cook Times!
#4 Easy Beef Udon Recipe with Tomato & Marble Beef
Isn't it unsurprising that I'm adding tomatoes and beef to a tomato beef udon? Yup! They really go well together, LOL. For this recipe, I used tender, melt-in-your-mouth marble beef slices and sweet cherry tomatoes that hold their shape beautifully. Crisp Chinese lettuce is added to soak up the savory tomato soup, while sliced onions bring an extra layer of sweetness to the broth.
🛒 Get the Noodles: Buy Nissin Bar Udon (Tomato Beef Flavor) Here
👉 Click here for the full Tomato Beef Udon Recipe & Cook Times!
🛒 Add the Essentials to Your Pantry
Ready to play chef? Skip the grocery store lines. Stock up on your favorite flavors today and whip up a warm, bouncy, and satisfying bowl of comforting udon noodles right at home:
👉 Shop the Full Nissin Bar Udon Collection Here
📸 Share Your Slurping Masterpieces!
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