Stir-Fried Udon Noodles with Chili-Garlic Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-23 · Updated 2026-06-23

Thick udon noodles stir-fried with crisp vegetables and a spicy, tangy chili-garlic sauce inspired by regional Asian flavors. This Japanese-inspired noodle recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 20 minutes, pairs fresh udon noodles, vegetable oil, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 12 oz fresh udon noodles
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 4, finely minced garlic cloves
• 1 tsp red chili flakes
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tsp brown sugar
• 1 medium, julienned carrot
• 1, thinly sliced red bell pepper
• 3, chopped green onions
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds

The wok we’d stir-fry this in → Best Woks for 2026: Carbon Steel, Nonstick & Flat-Bottom Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add 12 oz fresh udon noodles and cook for 2-3 minutes until just tender. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add 4 finely minced garlic cloves and 1 tsp red chili flakes, stir-frying for 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
3. Step 3: Add 1 medium julienned carrot and 1 thinly sliced red bell pepper, stir-frying for 2-3 minutes until vegetables are crisp-tender.
4. Step 4: Add drained noodles to the wok. In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, and 1 tsp brown sugar, then pour over the noodles and vegetables. Toss continuously for 2 minutes until sauce thickens slightly and coats the noodles.
5. Step 5: Remove from heat and stir in 3 chopped green onions and 1 tsp toasted sesame oil. Sprinkle 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds on top before serving.