Some people might be surprised to learn that noodles rather than broth define a bowl of ramen. Alkaline noodles made from wheat are required for ramen to qualify as a type of noodle soup. The best alkaline, wheat-based noodles you can find should be used to make each bowl of ramen. One of these noodles is called udon noodles, among the simplest Japanese noodles cuisine you may prepare at home.

What are Udon Noodles?

They are an all-time favorite because they are thick, silky, slurp-worthy, and chewy noodles. Also, these thick noodles are adored for their flavorlessness and springy, elastic texture. Udon noodles can be stir-fried or served hot in a dashi broth made with kombu and katsuobushi. They can also be eaten cold by combining them in a dipping sauce made of soy sauce called tsuyu. These noodles taste well with a wide range of sauces, including curry, miso, gochujang, and others. Learn how to make Japanese noodles from scratch.

Why Make Homemade Udon Noodles from Scratch?

It's much simpler than it sounds to make handmade udon noodles, especially if you've made homemade pasta and bread dough before. Even a beginner cook will find this cooking adventure enjoyable and rewarding. You will be rewarded with delicious homemade noodles that are miles beyond those you can buy; it's simple, enjoyable, and rewarding! The best part about making udon is that all you need is a whole wheat flour mixture, water, and kosher salt. Additionally, it is quite easy to create. Therefore, selecting the appropriate ingredients is crucial.

Udon Noodles Ingredients

• plain flour or all-purpose flour
• tapioca flour
• water
• salt
• cornstarch

How to Make Udon Noodles from Scratch

The fun part starts when you combine the saltwater and flour after assembling all the other ingredients. Try making this udon noodle for yourself with only some wheat flour and some time on the line. This udon noodles recipe is fantastic since you can quickly make extra portions and freeze the noodles for later use.

1. Combine flour and table salt in a large mixing bowl, then include 1 1/4 cups of water. Mix the dough with your hands until it forms a few sizable lumps.

The noodle dough should be firmly pressed and kneaded, incorporating any remaining loose flour well. If extra water is required, add 1 tablespoon at a time until you can fully combine the flour.

2. The dough should be smooth after 5 minutes of kneading. Roll out the dough with a large rolling pin, rotate it 90 degrees as you go, and lightly dusted with flour. Form the dough ball, then put it in a plastic bag that can be sealed or any airtight container and let the kneaded dough rest. This will relax the dough and make rolling it out easier.

3. When the udon dough is in the proper thickness, make three accordion folds after rolling out the dough to a thickness of about 3mm. Then generously sprinkle it with potato starch before slicing the folded dough around 3mm from the edge with a sharp knife or tools like a pasta roller or pasta cutter, and pasta machine. Remember, udon noodles should be sliced thinner than cooked noodle thickness since they will absorb water as they cook.

4. To keep the noodles from sticking after they have been cut, sprinkle them with a little tapioca starch and shake them.

5. Remove any excess starch then add the noodles now to the boiling water. They should float to the top and be chewy tender after 3 minutes of cooking. The cooked noodles can then be taken out of the hot water pot using a slotted spoon.

6. Place the noodles immediately in a bowl of cold water to cool for a little while. Pour the liquid into a sieve and leave to cool. To cool the subsequent batch of noodles, replace the water in the bowl.

Making udon noodles is something you need to try. Not only can you experience authentic Japanese cooking, but you will also love how enjoyable making delicious noodles with many varieties like frozen noodles, fresh noodles, and soba noodles. But if you don't feel like doing it yourself, you can always visit noodle shops and online stores. You can visit the Sugoi Mart noodle collection and have a taste of authentic Japanese noodles. Enjoy!

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