Udon noodles are only just now becoming more popular in the western world but have been used all over Japanese, Korean and Chinese cuisine for years. They are wheat flour noodles made using only wheat flour, water and salt. Though some brands will add their own flavouring.
They may be becoming more popular but udon noodles are still fairly expensive in the west and can be hard to find. So, what other substitutes can you use in your next stir-fry or broth?
Our 4 Substitutes for Udon Noodles
The thick, chewy texture of udon noodles sets them apart from other types. They do not hold a lot of flavour themselves but will easily adapt to any dish.
Here are our top 4 udon noodle substitutes:
1) Ramen Noodles
Some people say that ramen noodles would be indistinguishable from udon noodles if it were not for their appearance.
Ramen noodles are made from the same wheat flour as udon noodles and taste almost exactly the same.
Because they use the same ingredients, they have the same elastic quality to them. This makes them just as chewy as udon noodles.
The only real difference is their shape. They are a lot thinner and longer than udon noodles, so they will not need to be cooked for as long. Hence why instant ramen noodles as so popular.
Add Any Flavour You Like
Any university student will know that ramen noodles can be paired with pretty much anything. So go wild!
2) Japanese Soba Noodles
Udon noodles are mostly featured in hot dishes like broths or soups, but soba noodles can be used in hot or cold dishes and still be just as tasty.
They are a noodle that, like udon noodles, are used often in Japanese dishes. However, they are made from buckwheat flour rather than wheat flour.
This difference makes them have a slight nuttiness but is not a flavour really strong enough to alter your dish considerably.
What you will need to be wary of is the texture difference. Buckwheat flour is not as finely ground as wheat and so makes soba noodles have a unique grainy texture.
There are lots of soba noodle types out there, so you may be able to find a brand with a smoother texture. Though most of the time, this is because they have mixed buckwheat with another flour type.
Check for Gluten
Pure buckwheat Japanese soba noodles are a gluten-free alternative to udon noodles. However, many brands add other flour that stops them from being gluten-free so make sure to check labels when you buy them.
3) Rice Noodles
Instead of using wheat flour, rice noodles get their name from the rice flour they are made with. This does give the noodles a different flavour that can be overpowering to your dish if not used properly.
Rice noodles will need to be a feature of your dish rather than an ingredient added just for bulk and texture. For this reason, they are better used in stir-fries and ramen broths.
Aside from their flavour, rice noodles perfectly copy udon noodles in terms of their thickness and the texture they add to a dish.
You can buy rice noodles fresh, dry or frozen. If you buy them frozen, they will last longer than any available udon noodles, leading to less waste.
Don’t Overcook Them
Though they are just as thick as udon noodles, they do not take as long to cook through. Ensure that you keep an eye on your rice noodles as you cook them so they do not burn.
4) Linguine
Linguine will not be able to replicate udon noodles exactly as they are much thinner and a lot longer than the noodles. But, you can alter their texture to match that of udon.
All you will need to do is add some baking soda to the pot when you cook them. This will make the pasta turn springy, chewy and take on more savoury notes.
Though udon noodles themselves are not necessarily savoury so you will need to be aware of this change when using this method.
Choose Any Pasta
Linguine is just a specific type of pasta. If you only have penne or other smaller pasta left in your pantry, then you could use that instead and alter their texture.
Other Substitutes for Udon Noodles
Some of the above udon noodle substitutes are quite a specialist choice, often only available in specific Asian markets. Here are a few substitutes that are more widely available:
- Whole-Wheat Linguine – Essentially working the same as regular linguine, whole wheat linguine is more nutritious but has an earthier, nutter taste.
- Thick Chinese Egg Noodles – Some of the best stir-fry noodles, egg noodles are prepared the same way as ramen noodles but includes egg giving them a unique flavour.
Summary
Udon noodles are very popular in Japanese cooking but are hard to find outside of Japanese restaurants in the UK. However, ramen is made using the exact same methods as udon noodles. They are just not as thick.