Curry Udon

Thick udon noodles served in a savory Japanese curry broth.

Thick udon noodles served in a savory Japanese curry broth.

The Story

Curry udon brings together two foods that Japan made distinctly its own: thick wheat noodles and Japanese curry. The dish became popular in the early twentieth century, when restaurants began serving udon in a thick, warming curry broth. It remains a common comfort food, particularly during the colder months.

Curry Broth

Ingredients

  • 20 g niboshi
  • 2 L water
  • 20 g dried kombu
  • 30 g katsuobushi
  • 4 tablespoons mirin
  • 4 tablespoons soy sauce
  • Japanese curry roux, about 1/2–1 box or to desired thickness

Instructions

  1. Add the water, kombu, and niboshi to a pot and soak for 30 minutes.
  2. Add the katsuobushi and heat over medium.
  3. Just before boiling, remove from the heat and strain.
  4. Add the mirin and soy sauce.
  5. Add Japanese curry roux until the broth reaches the desired thickness.