[Japanese Recipes] Kimchi Udon

If you drive on the freeways in Korea, you will find many rest areas along the road. Most of them have food stalls where you can purchase quick meals and snacks. This Kimchi Udon (김치우동) is one of the popular menu. Feeding yourself a bowl of hot udon in the middle of long winter journey? I call it – ‘Kimchi Udon Soup for the Soul’.

I miss the humble udon that you buy at those food stalls. I even miss hearing the loud slurping sounds from the strangers sitting next to me.

I miss the combination flavor of dashi and the pungent bite of kimchi.

I miss hearing to kitchen ladies in the food stall yelling at the customers to hurry up and pick up their noodles… “아줌마, 우동나왔어요! – Lady, come and get your udon!”

I used to eat Kimchi Udon quite often as I was growing up, especially during the colder months.

When the icy ocean wind of cold winter blows at your cheeks like a knife and your nose turns its shade to the one like Rudolph’s, there was nothing like slurping hot noodle soup at the street vendors or in the market squares. It immediately warmed my near frozen body. There was no spoon. Only a pair of chopsticks was all you needed. You just gulp the broth directly out of the bowl as you enjoy the noodles. Comfort food like this… it comes closer to your heart.

Making this Kimchi Udon is not that difficult. Get the delicious broth (dashi) ready, then everything else is a snap to put together. This is the Japanese-Korean fusion comfort food at its best.

This is Bonito flakes. Feather thin Japanese sardine/tuna type fish flakes to make dashi (broth). It is also called Katsuobushi (かつおぶし). If you don’t have bonito, use large dried anchovies.

In a pot, pour water and add bonito, dried sea kelp (Kombu), and Asian leek (or onion). Bring them to boil and simmer for 10 minutes.

You will get a flavorful dashi. Reserve the broth and discard the rest.

Season with Tsuyu (Japanese soup or dipping sauce). I only used 2 tbsp and added salt to season the broth because I didn’t want my dashi to be too dark. You can add more if you wish.

Beautiful dashi is ready. Keep it warm until ready to use.

Most important topping for this Udon. The fermented Kimchi! Combine chopped kimchi, Korean chili flakes and kimchi juice in a skillet.

Cook together over medium to med-low until soft, about 3-4 minutes.

Prepare roasted seasoned seaweed (Korean ), fried bean curd and some Asian leeks for topping, too. Fish cakes and enoki mushrooms will be good choice as well.

Cook Udon noodles in a boiling water for 1-2 minutes, then strain. Place noodles in a serving bowl and pour your beautiful hot dashi over.

And place your choice of toppings on the noodles and sprinkle black pepper over. That’s all.

It is almost impossible to eat Udon without making the loud slurping noise.

And, I think…, it is very excusable.

Love,

Kimchi Udon

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Serving Size: about 4

Ingredients

2 handful of Bonito or 8-10 large dried anchovies
1 large piece dried sea kelp, kombu
1 leek, sliced
8 cups water
2-3 tablespoon Tsuyu or soy sauce
2 teaspoon salt (or more)
1 cup chopped fermented cabbage kimchi
1/4 cup kimchi juice
2 teaspoon Korean chili flakes
2 handful roasted seaweed, sliced
1/2 cup fried bean curd, sliced
2 green onion, sliced
4 packages Udon noodles