Where does Udon come from?

Udon — country of origin: Japan.

What is Udon made of?

Wheat noodles, wheat flour, salt, dashi, bonito flakes, soy sauce, mirin, spring onion, tofu.

Which allergens does Udon contain?

Contains cereals and gluten-containing products. Contains fish and fish products. Contains soybeans and soybean products.

How do you pronounce Udon?

うどん (Japanese) is pronounced /ɯdoɴ/.

Udon

うどんPronunciation (IPA) /ɯdoɴ/

Thick, soft wheat noodles in a dashi broth seasoned with soy sauce and mirin — a Japanese bowl judged on the chew of the noodle, not on what sits on top.

Also known as: Udon noodles · Kake udon

Allergens & declarations

Contains

Cereals (gluten)

Wheat

Contains cereals and gluten-containing products

Fish

Contains fish and fish products

Soybeans

Contains soybeans and soybean products

This describes the classic recipe, so you know what to ask about. It is not a declaration for any particular kitchen — recipes and suppliers vary, and only the restaurant can tell you what is in the dish it serves.

In detail

Udon are thick wheat noodles, usually served hot in a light dashi broth. The noodle is the dish: everything else is there to carry it.

What it really is

The dough is only wheat flour, water and salt, kneaded firm — traditionally by foot, wrapped and trodden — then rested, rolled and cut into thick strands. That firmness is the point: Japanese cooks talk about koshi, the springy resistance the noodle gives back, and it separates a good udon from a slack one. Sanuki udon, from Kagawa Prefecture, is the best-known regional style.

The broth, kake-jiru, is dashi — kombu and dried bonito flakes — seasoned with soy sauce and mirin. Eastern Japan uses dark soy sauce and the broth comes out brown; in Kansai, lighter usukuchi soy sauce keeps it pale.

How it is served

Hot in broth as kake udon, plain but for spring onion.
With toppings that name the bowl: sweet fried tofu for kitsune, tempura, or curry.
Cold in summer, drained and dipped in a concentrated sauce.

Say hot or cold — they are two different dishes, not two temperatures.
Name the topping; it is what guests order by.
The broth is fish-based unless you make it with kombu alone.

Typical ingredients

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Frequently asked questions

What is Udon?: Thick, soft wheat noodles in a dashi broth seasoned with soy sauce and mirin — a Japanese bowl judged on the chew of the noodle, not on what sits on top.
Where does Udon come from?: Udon — country of origin: Japan.
What is Udon made of?: Wheat noodles, wheat flour, salt, dashi, bonito flakes, soy sauce, mirin, spring onion, tofu.
Which allergens does Udon contain?: Contains cereals and gluten-containing products. Contains fish and fish products. Contains soybeans and soybean products.
What is Udon also known as?: Udon noodles, Kake udon.
How do you pronounce Udon?: うどん (Japanese) is pronounced /ɯdoɴ/. Select the speaker button next to the dish name to hear it.