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Udon Noodles with Spicy Meat and Mushroom Sauce

Udon Noodles with Spicy Meat and Mushroom Sauce

  • Makes
    6 servings
  • Cook Time
    50 minutes
  • Rating

This meaty, umami-rich sauce from “Japanese Home Cooking” by Sonoko Sakai is a perfect match for thick, hearty udon noodles, whether you use homemade or store-bought. A salty fermented chili-bean paste called toban djan provides the spiciness; use the smaller dose if you’re sensitive to chili heat. If you’ve used the larger amount and still want more heat in the sauced noodles, offer a bottle of chili oil at the table.

Tip

Don’t forget to stir the cornstarch-water slurry before adding it to the sauce. Upon standing, the starch settles to the bottom of the bowl, so stirring is necessary to recombine. After adding the slurry to the sauce, be sure to return to a simmer while stirring so the sauce thickens properly and doesn’t form starchy lumps.

Ingredients
  • 2

    tablespoons toasted sesame oil

  • 8

    ounces 80 percent lean ground beef

  • 8

    ounces ground pork

  • 4

    shiitake mushrooms, stemmed and finely chopped

  • 1

    8-ounce can bamboo shoots, rinsed, drained and finely chopped (optional)

  • 2

    medium garlic cloves, minced

  • 2

    tablespoons minced fresh ginger

  • 2

    cups low-sodium chicken broth

  • ¼

    cup sake

  • 1-2

    tablespoons chili-bean sauce (toban djan)

  • 2

    tablespoons miso, preferably red

  • 2

    tablespoons soy sauce

  • 1

    tablespoon mirin

  • 2

    tablespoons cornstarch

  • 1

    recipe (about 1¾ pounds) homemade udon noodles, cooked, drained and rinsed

  • 4

    scallions, thinly sliced on the diagonal

  • ½

    English cucumber, cut into matchsticks

Step 1

In a large (at least 8-quart) pot, bring 5 quarts water to a boil. Add the noodles, shaking them over the baking sheet to remove excess starch. Cook, stirring occasionally, until a noodle rinsed under cold water is tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Drain in a colander, rinse under cold water and drain again.

Step 2

While the noodles cook, thinly slice the cucumber on the diagonal. Stack several slices and cut lengthwise into matchsticks. Repeat with the remaining slices. Set the cucumber aside. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, stir together the cornstarch and 2 tablespoons water; set aside.

Step 3

In a large Dutch oven over medium-high, heat the sesame oil until shimmering. Add both ground meats and cook, stirring and breaking the meat into small pieces, until browned, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the mushrooms, bamboo shoots (if using), garlic and ginger; cook, stirring, until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the broth, sake, chili-bean sauce, miso, soy sauce and mirin. Bring to a simmer, then reduce to medium and cook until the liquid has reduced by half, 6 to 7 minutes.

Step 4

Stir the cornstarch slurry to recombine, then stir it into the meat-mushroom mixture. Cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce returns to a simmer and has thickened, about 1 minute. Add the noodles, toss well and cook, stirring, just until the noodles are heated through, 2 to 3 minutes. Serve topped with scallions and cucumber.