Simple Black Pepper Beef Udon Recipe
This Simple Black Pepper Beef Udon recipe is a quick and flavorful stir-fry dish combining tender marinated beef, chewy udon noodles, and crisp Chinese cabbage, all tossed in a savory and slightly spicy black pepper sauce. Perfect for a satisfying weeknight meal, it balances rich umami flavors with a hint of freshness from the greens.
- Author: Rami
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Serves 2-3 people 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stir-fry
- Cuisine: Asian, Chinese
- Diet: Halal
For the Beef Marinade
- 200 g fresh beef, thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp garlic, minced
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp oyster sauce
- 1 tsp corn starch or potato starch mixed with water (slurry)
- 1 tsp Chinese white rice vinegar
For the Noodles and Vegetables
- 2 packs udon noodles
- Chinese cabbage (or any leafy green of choice), chopped
- 1 white onion, sliced
- 1 tbsp garlic, minced
- Salt to taste
- Sugar to taste
For the Black Pepper Sauce
- 3 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 3 tbsp water
- 1/2 tsp potato starch
- 1 tsp corn starch or potato starch slurry (additional for thickening)
- Marinate the beef: In a bowl, whisk together minced garlic, sesame oil, soy sauce, oyster sauce, Chinese white rice vinegar, and the cornstarch slurry. Add the thinly sliced beef and coat well. Let it sit for 10 minutes to absorb flavors and become tender.
- Cook udon noodles: Bring a large pot of water to boil and cook udon noodles for 1-2 minutes until loosened but still chewy. Drain them thoroughly and set aside to avoid overcooking.
- Prepare the black pepper sauce: Combine dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, freshly ground black pepper, water, and potato starch in a small bowl and mix thoroughly to create the sauce base.
- Stir-fry aromatics and beef: Heat a wok or large pan over medium heat and add oil. Stir-fry minced garlic and sliced onions until soft and fragrant. Add the marinated beef and cook for 2-3 minutes until browned.
- Add black pepper sauce and thicken: Pour the prepared black pepper sauce into the pan with beef. Stir over low heat until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy, coating the beef evenly.
- Combine noodles and vegetables: Add the cooked udon noodles and chopped Chinese cabbage to the pan. Stir well to coat everything in the sauce and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until the cabbage softens slightly.
- Final seasoning and serve: Adjust salt and sugar to taste if needed, toss everything thoroughly, and serve the black pepper beef udon hot for a delicious and comforting meal.
Notes
- Do not overcook the udon noodles; they should retain a slight chewiness for the best texture.
- The marinating step is crucial for tender and flavorful beef.
- Use freshly ground black pepper for the most aromatic and robust flavor.
- Chinese cabbage can be substituted with bok choy or spinach if preferred.
- Adjust the amount of black pepper to your spice tolerance.
- For a gluten-free option, use tamari instead of soy sauce and ensure oyster sauce is gluten-free.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/2 recipe)
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 950 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 58 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
Keywords: black pepper beef udon, stir-fry udon noodles, beef noodles, Asian beef recipe, quick beef stir-fry