If you’ve only got a few minutes to prepare your meal, why not opt for something warm and comforting? Introducing our 10-Minute Kitsune Udon!
Kitsune Udon is a simple yet delicious Japanese noodle soup dish. It features chewy udon noodles simmered in a savory dashi broth, topped with fried tofu skin. The combination of the slightly sweet and umami flavors creates a comforting and soothing soup that is sure to satisfy.
We’ll provide you with an easy, healthy recipe that can be prepared in either the stovetop or the microwave.
This dish is incredibly simple, and you may already have the necessary ingredients if your pantry is stocked with basic Asian American staples. Additionally, we’ve included some optional topping ideas to enhance your dish further.
Kitsune Udon is believed to have originated in an Osaka noodle shop named Matsubaya in 1893, when a customer decided to add their side dish of aburaage directly to their bowl of udon.
Osaka is widely recognized worldwide for its delicious food scene and wheat-based dishes like udon, takoyaki, and okonomiyaki.
The dish was named Kitsune Udon because the mythical fox (kitsune) in Japanese folklore loves aburaage, the signature topping of this udon noodle soup.
How Healthy is Kitsune Udon?
Kitsune Udon is generally regarded as a relatively healthy dish, and its nutritional profile can be further enhanced by mindfully selecting ingredients from the grocery store.
Udon noodles are easy to digest and naturally low in fat. From our experience as frequent shoppers at our local Japanese market, we find that frozen udon noodles tend to have higher protein, fewer carbs, and less sodium compared to the dried pantry noodle alternative.
Both the udon noodles and tofu provide a valuable source of protein, which is an important consideration for a balanced diet.
The dashi soup base (tsuyu) is typically made with ingredients like bonito, kelp, soy sauce, and mirin, which are all very low in calories and provide various nutritional benefits.
When browsing the grocery store aisles, you’ll find a wide variety of tsuyu products, so take a moment to examine the nutrition labels and select options that are low in calories or sodium. In the United States, Japanese food products typically have English nutrition labels on the back for American consumers.
Kitsune Udon is naturally a healthier soup dish, and with our shopping tips, you can make it even better!
2 packs frozen udon noodles – In our opinion, frozen udon noodles are far superior to the dried packet variety. They have a nice bouncy and chewy texture that closely resembles the experience of enjoying restaurant-quality udon. Additionally, frozen udon is incredibly easy to reheat, making it a convenient option for quick, satisfying meals.
4 cups tsuyu-based broth – Made of tsuyu concentrate + water (follow dilution ratios on product label). Tsuyu is a versatile Japanese soup base that comes in both concentrated and ready-to-use bottled forms. It is made with a blend of dashi, soy sauce, mirin, and other flavorful ingredients. For a vegan or vegetarian-friendly version of this recipe, be sure to select a tsuyu that is kelp-based. Having a bottle of tsuyu on hand is an excellent way to quickly prepare nourishing and satisfying meals.
2-4 pieces aburaage or inariage (alternative) – Aburaage, a slab of deep-fried tofu, can be found in the refrigerated or frozen section of Asian markets. However, it may not be readily available in your area. In such cases, the best alternative is inariage, a much more widely accessible option that can typically be found in the canned goods aisle. Our blog’s featured photo utilized inariage for this reason.
Optional Toppings
green onions sliced
beach mushrooms steamed
baby bok choy steamed
narutomaki (fish cake) sliced
itokiri togarashi (shredded chili pepper) garnish
Recipe
Stovetop Instructions
In a saucepan, bring water to boil. Add the frozen udon and boil for 1 minute (or according to product label.) Once cooked, remove from heat and rinse in cold water. Set aside.
In another saucepan, gently heat the tsuyu-based broth over medium-low heat, about 5 minutes.
Assembly: In a bowl, combine the udon noodles and soup broth. Top with aburaage/inariage and optional toppings.
Microwave Instructions
Place the frozen udon in a bowl, cover, then microwave for 2-3 minutes until warmed through.
In a separate bowl, dilute tsuyu with water according to product instructions. Microwave for 1-2 minutes until hot.
Assembly: Pour the soup broth into the bowl of udon noodles. Top with aburaage/inariage and optional toppings.
Final Thoughts
A comforting bowl of udon noodle soup can be whipped up quickly using just a few simple, heartwarming ingredients. Whether you’re winding down from a busy day or simply don’t have the time or energy for an elaborate meal, this dish is sure to soothe your soul.
Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed this recipe, please give a star rating and review on the recipe card below + share your creations on Instagram and tag us @itsforkandspoon!
A comforting bowl of udon noodle soup can be whipped up quickly using just a few simple, heartwarming ingredients. Whether you're winding down from a busy day or simply don't have the time or energy for an elaborate meal, this dish is sure to soothe your soul.
4cupstsuyu-based brothtsuyu concentrate + water (follow dilution ratios on product label)
2-4piecesaburaageor inariage (alternative)
Optional Toppings
green onionssliced
beach mushroomssteamed
baby bok choysteamed
narutomaki (fish cake)sliced
itokiri togarashi (shredded chili pepper)garnish
Instructions
Stovetop Instructions
In a saucepan, bring water to boil. Add the frozen udon and boil for 1 minute (or according to product label.) Once cooked, remove from heat and rinse in cold water. Set aside.
In another saucepan, gently heat the tsuyu-based broth over medium-low heat, about 5 minutes.
Assembly: In a bowl, combine the udon noodles and soup broth. Top with aburaage/inariage and optional toppings.
Microwave Instructions
Place the frozen udon in a bowl, cover, then microwave for 2-3 minutes until warmed through.
In a separate bowl, dilute tsuyu with water according to product instructions. Microwave for 1-2 minutes until hot.
Assembly: Pour the soup broth into the bowl of udon noodles. Top with aburaage/inariage and optional toppings.
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Noelle Noriesta, a Filipino-American home cook, is the principal creator of Fork and Spoon. Her recipes have a modern and playful approach inspired by her food experiences growing up in the Bay Area and now in Los Angeles. --Read more about me