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Easy 20-minute creamy Kimchi Udon is a weeknight meal that comes with a big pop of flavor! With tangy kimchi and chewy udon noodles, it will be your new favorite go-to meal.
about this kimchi udon recipe
Gosh I love a simple noodle dish with a ton of flavor, don’t you? There are so many different cuisines that have easy 20-minute noodle recipes, but today we are focusing on Korean ingredients. I’m talking about kimchi, gochujang, sesame seeds, and more, my friends.
I am a big lover of kimchi. The heat and the tangy flavor makes for an exceptional condiment. But it’s not just a condiment… it’s a lifestyle.
If you are anything like me, you are constantly on the hunt for a meal that’s quick, delicious, and has a bit of a “wow” factor. Kimchi udon is spicy, creamy, and ready in just 20 minutes in one skillet.
The fermented cabbage brings a fiery kick that wakes up your taste buds which is ideal for pairing with those thick and pillowy udon noodles.
You can even further customize this dish easily by incorporating your favorite protein (chicken, steak, pork, or shrimp) and vegetables (zucchini, arugula, spinach, and more!).
With a total time of 20 minutes, it doesn’t get much easier than that, does it?
ingredients
bacon. I prefer to use thick-cut bacon, but your favorite bacon will work in this recipe.
noodles. Udon noodles are preferred for this recipe! Fresh, frozen, or dried udon noodles work.
kimchi. Choose your favorite brand! I usually can get this at my local grocery store or Asian marketplace.
kimchi juice. Use the juice from the jar of kimchi!
gochujang. A red chili paste that’s a mix of savory, sweet, and spicy. It gives this dish a little bit of heat and sweet, while also helping the kimchi caramelize as it cooks.
broth. You can use either chicken broth or vegetable broth in this recipe.
soy sauce. We prefer to use low-sodium soy sauce.
butter. Unsalted butter is the best to use in this recipe! You can also use salted, just don’t add any at the end until you taste it to see if you need more.
scallions. Fresh scallions (aka green onion) give these noodles a fresh zing of flavor.
egg yolks. The raw egg yolks on top is what makes these noodles even creamier!
this recipe’s must haves
To prep the ingredients, grab your favorite chef’s knife and cutting board.
You will just need one skillet to cook this meal! I love to use a cast iron skillet (check out this Lodge cast iron skillet for a more budget-friendly option). You can really use any skillet you like, as long as it is large and has higher sides.
here’s how to make kimchi udon
cook bacon
In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium-high heat until crispy, about 3 to 4 minutes. Remove bacon to a plate lined with paper towel. Reserve about 1 Tbsp of bacon fat in the pan and remove the rest.
make the sauce
Add kimchi and gochujang to the bacon fat in the pan and cook over medium-high heat. Cook until the kimchi is softened and lightly caramelized, about 4 minutes or so, stirring occasionally.
Stir in broth, soy sauce, and kimchi juice. Bring to a simmer and cook until the liquid is slightly reduced, about 4 to 5 minutes.
cook noodles
Cook the noodles according to the directions on the package.
finish
Drain the cooked udon noodles, then add them to the spicy sauce in the skillet with butter. Cook, tossing to coat the noodles, for about 2 minutes until the noodles are well-coated. Stir in bacon, reserving a small amount ofr garnish. Taste and season with salt and pepper as desired.
Serve in bowls topped with crunchy bacon, green onion, sesame seeds, and egg yolks.
tips and tricks
add more protein. Want to bulk up the meal? Add in some cooked, shredded chicken or chopped pork. You could even add in some cooked shrimp.
add an egg yolk. Make it extra creamy with an egg yolk or sunny side up egg!
More tasty noodle recipes: Curry Udon | Pasta Napolitana | Gochujang Noodles | Roasted Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta
is kimchi udon really spicy?
Yes, this is definitely a spicy dish! It packs a bold punch of heat and it’s oh-so tasty.
what kind of udon noodles should I use?
You can use whatever type of udon noodles you like! Udon noodles are sold fresh or frozen. Fresh udon is hard for me to get my hands on, so I usually opt for frozen or dried. Frozen udon noodles have a really chewy texture and are thicker than some dried udon noodle brands out there. Simply prepare the noodles according to the package instructions, before using them in this recipe. You may need to boil them or simply soak them in cool water, depending on the type.
can I add more protein to this recipe?
Yes, this dish is so easy to customize! You can add in cooked shredded or cubed chicken, steak, pork, or even quickly seared shrimp.
Don’t forget about the vegetables too! Add in your favorite sautéed veggies to make this udon noodle dish more of a kimchi udon stir fry.
is there a way to make this recipe not as spicy?
Since kimchi is inherently spicy, it’s hard to tone down the spiciness of the noodles! You could omit the kimchi juice and add more broth instead to reduce the heat level slightly. However this will impact the overall flavor. It will still be spicy, but just slightly less so.
Need some inspiration for dinners this week? Check out my main dish recipe page!
what to serve with kimchi udon
I serve my kimchi udon with an egg yolk on top! I love how the runny egg yolk makes the noodles even creamier… drool
You can also top off these noodles with a sunny side-up egg or a fried egg! Just make sure the yolk is runny to make the most of the combination.
Another idea is to incorporate fresh greens at the end of cooking the dish, such as fresh arugula or spinach. It bulks up the dish a bit more to make it a bit heartier!
Since this is a one skillet meal, there’s really no need to serve any side dishes with it. Remember that you can add in cooked chicken, beef, pork, or even shrimp for added protein too. Don’t forget to serve with extra kimchi for those who want it insanely hot, as well as extra crunchy bacon pieces and freshly sliced green onion.
more quick and easy dinner recipes
Lemon ricotta pasta with fresh arugula is ready in just 20 minutes!
For a tropical flair, try this sweet and savory mango chicken salad that can be served as a sandwich or even lettuce wraps.
Whip out the air fryer for this air fryer scallops recipe! Served with a chive lemon butter, these scallops are so tasty with pasta.
Finally, if you make this kimchi udon recipe, please be sure to give this recipe a star rating on the recipe card and/or leave a comment! I love to hear when you all make recipes, and I do take the time to respond to every single comment.
Feel free to drop questions below too, if you have them!
Oh and be sure to tag me on Instagram if you make the recipe! I love being able to see these recipes come to life in your homes – it’s my favorite thing to look through those photos. It really means the world to me!
kimchi udon
ingredients
- 4 slices bacon roughly chopped
- 1 lb fresh or frozen udon noodles
- 1 cup of chopped Kimchi
- 1/3 cup kimchi juice
- 2 Tbsp gochujang paste
- 1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 3 Tbsp unsalted butter
- optional: room temp egg yolks
- garnish: freshly chopped green onion
instructions
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook chopped bacon until crispy. Remove bacon to a paper towel-lined plate and reserve for later. Reserve 1 Tbsp bacon fat in the pan and discard the rest.
- Return skillet to medium-high heat and add kimchi and gochujang. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the kimchi is lightly caramelized, about 4 minutes. Stir in broth, kimchi juice, and soy sauce. Bring the mixture to a simmer, cooking until thickened and slightly reduced. This will take about 3 to 5 minutes.
- While the sauce is cooking, cook the noodles according to the directions on the package.
- Drain the noodles, then add to the sauce with butter. Toss to coat, then stir in cooked bacon, reserving some for garnish. Taste and season with salt and pepper as desired.
- Divide among bowls. Top with egg yolks, scallions, crispy bacon, and sesame seeds.
Emma says
The kimchi gives a tangy flavor and the udon noodles were so chewy. I added an egg yolk and turned out extra creamy. Absolutely delicious! Thanks for the recipe!
Celeste says
The kimchi sauce was so creamy and delicious and adding shredded chicken made it a hearty meal. I really enjoyed my food when it’s spicy so I added extra kimchi and that extra kick was what I’m looking for. Such a simple yet delicious meal!
Lisa says
Oh my this was so good! Hubby loved it and has already requested it again. I loved that it was quick and easy weeknight meal to whip up.
Lyn says
Absolutely my favorite noodle recipe! It cooks quickly, the sweet and spicy sauce is delicious, and the texture of the udon noodles is perfect! I’ll make this again and again!
Jillian says
This kimchi udon turned out so creamy and delicious! The bacon adds such a nice crunch to the dish and I added some extra gochujang for a bit more heat.