Beef Curry Udon

Name: Curry Udon Noodles with Beef
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 pound skirt steak (substitute any thinly sliced beef); 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1 tablespoon soy sauce; 18 ounces udon noodles; 2 teaspoons vegetable oil; 1 small onion (chopped); 2 garlic cloves (minced); 8 ounces shiitake mushrooms; 4 cups dashi stock; 1 small white potato (peeled and diced); 1 small sweet potato (peeled and diced); 1/2 cup Japanese curry roux; 1 cup diced green onions; 1 tablespoon salt

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Tender pieces of stir fried beef, thick, chewy udon noodles, and chunks of sweet potato all simmered in a curry broth are what make this beef curry udon the ultimate in flavor packed, easy-to-make comfort food!

a bowl of brown gravy with noodles, beef and potato garnished with green onions

These Curry Udon Noodles are the ultimate in comfort, much like this Chicken Katsu Curry, Instant Pot Japanese curry or this ultra popular Instant Pot Ramen.

Chewy noodles swimming in a rich curry sauce with tender pieces of beef and touch of sweetness from the sweet potato...this is heaven. Chewy udon noodles are the best - we also love them in this Udon Stir Fry and this Miso Udon Noodle Soup too.

Not to mention this takes under 30 minutes to make. That's right - 30 minutes and you have yourself a full, heart and soul warming meal.

Jump to:

Why This Recipe Works
Ingredients
Step By Step Instructions
Serving Options
Expert Tips
Frequently Asked Questions
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Recipe
💬 Comments

Why This Recipe Works

The beef is browned and simmered in the curry sauce making it ultra flavorful and tender.
A quick marinade in soy sauce and baking soda helps the beef tenderize.
It only takes 30 minutes to make which is perfect for quick weeknight meals.
The beef is cut thinly so it cooks quicky and tenderizes easier.
The sweet potato adds a little extra sweetness and thickness to the curry.

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Ingredients

The full list of ingredients and amounts is included in the recipe card at the bottom of the post. You can also learn more about Japanese Ingredients.

I use my Homemade Japanese Curry Roux in this recipe. It's super simple to make. But you can also buy Japanese curry paste and it is actually really good. Japanese curry is a slightly sweet, thick curry, more like a gravy than some other curries.

Udon noodles are a thick and chewy wheat noodle and can be bought fresh, frozen or dried. You can find fresh or frozen in many Asian grocery stores, and your local grocery store may carry them as well.

I've found dried noodles at my local store, or you can buy dried udon noodles online. You can also buy fresh udon noodles online.

Use thinly sliced beef for the best results. I actually just buy skirt steak or flap meat as it is already thin and works great for this recipe.

Dashi broth is a broth made from simmered bonito fish flakes and dried kelp. You can make your own dashi stock, or you can buy Dashi Powder. I use the powder as it is easier and the taste is pretty good.

We use dashi powder to make this Kakuni (Braised Pork Belly), Korean Rice Cakes and Soft Boiled Ramen Eggs.

beef, potatoes and mushrooms in a bowl of brown sauce sprinkled with green onions

Step By Step Instructions

Slice the beef thinly in bite sized pieces and combine it with the soy sauce and baking soda in a bowl for 10 minutes.

Cook the udon noodles according to the package instructions while the beef marinades and set aside

Heat a dutch oven on high heat and add the beef to sear it on all sides (about 3-5 minutes total). Remove and set aside.

Reduce the heat of the pot to medium and add the cooking oil.

Add the onions, garlic and shiitake mushroom and sauté for 2-3 minutes, until softened.

onions and sliced mushrooms cooking in a pot

Add the beef back to the pot and pour in the dashi broth.

onions, mushrooms and beef slices cooking in a pot

Add the diced potatoes and cook until soft, about 10-15 minutes.

liquid and sliced of beef mushrooms and potato in a pot

Add the curry paste and stir until it dissolves and the broth is thickened.

Place the udon noodles in a bowl and pour the curry on top.

chopsticks in a bowl of noodles with beef and potato in a brown gravy

Garnish with sliced green onions.

You may also like this Hibachi steak with homemade fried rice and ginger sauce!

Serving Options

Make it spicy by using a hot curry roux (most brands have a hot option) or add a teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the curry when cooking.
Sprinkle with furikake or fried garlic.
I LOVE serving this with a sous vide poached egg or a sous vide soft boiled egg on top.
Serve this yamagobo over the top for some added acid to lighten up the dish.
Serve it alongside this chicken yakitori or this air fryer chicken karaage.
Finish your meal off with this ultra light and fluffy Japanese cheesecake!

Expert Tips

Freeze the beef for 30 minutes before slicing it to make it easier to cut thin strips.
The beef should be seared over high heat to get a nice char on the outside. This adds to the flavor.
Cook the noodles while the beef is marinading so they are ready when the curry is done.
Dice the potatoes in ½" pieces so they cook quicker and are easier to eat.
If you're using dashi powder, make the stock while the noodles are cooking according to the package instructions.
Substitute dry shiitakes for fresh if you can't find fresh. Soak the mushrooms in warm water for 15 minutes until they are softened. Remove the stems and roughly chop them.

noodles, beef, mushrooms and vegetables in a brown curry sauce

Frequently Asked Questions

What is curry udon made of?

Curry udon is basically cooked udon noodles served with a curry gravy (often containing meat, potatoes and sometimes carrots) over the top. It's a mix between a curry and a soup.

What is the difference between ramen and udon noodles?

Udon noodles are a wheat based noodle that is thick and chewy, while ramen noodles (also wheat based) are much thinner and have a firmer, even chewier texture that allows them to stand up to the broth better.

What is the best meat for Japanese curry?

Japanese curry is often made with beef or pork, but is made with chicken as well when making dishes like this chicken katsu curry.

Is udon good for you?

The noodles themselves aren't necessarily bad for you (unless you're sticking to a low carb diet), so it really depends on what they are cooked with. Dishes made with broths and lots of veggies will be good for you, while dishes made with thicker curries and white potatoes may not have the same nutritional value.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store the cooked udon noodles and curry sauce separately if making ahead of time or saving leftovers. Run the noodles under hot water to reheat, and reheat the beef curry in the microwave or on the stovetop until warmed.

You can also freeze the curry without the noodles for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight, reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop, and serve over cooked udon noodles.

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