Chewy udon noodles in a light soy-dashi broth
Japanese Mushroom Udon Soup
Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
15 min
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4
4 bowls
Difficulty
Easy
Cost
Budget
$
Japanese Mushroom Udon Soup
Chewy udon noodles in a light soy-dashi broth
A light but deeply savory udon soup with mushrooms, scallions, and chewy noodles that is fast enough for a weeknight and soothing enough for a bad day.
10m
Prep Time
15m
Cook Time
25m
Total Time
4
Servings
Easy
Difficulty
Budget $
Cost
Sarah Chen
(Updated )
Udon soup is one of the best examples of how a simple broth can still feel complete. The mushrooms deepen the dashi, the noodles make it substantial, and the whole bowl stays clean rather than heavy.
Ingredients
- 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
- 4 cups dashi or chicken stock
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp mirin
- 14 oz fresh or frozen udon noodles
- 2 scallions, sliced
Instructions
- 1
Bring the stock, soy sauce, and mirin to a simmer in a saucepan.
- 2
Add the mushrooms and cook for 5 minutes.
- 3
Add the udon noodles and cook until hot and tender.
- 4
Taste and adjust the seasoning.
- 5
Serve in bowls topped with scallions.
Serving Suggestions
Ways to Serve This Dish
Serve over steamed jasmine or sticky rice
Pair with a side of pickled vegetables or kimchi
Add a drizzle of sesame oil and toasted sesame seeds for extra flavor
Substitutions
MirinA little sugar and water
That keeps the broth balanced if you do not keep mirin around
Udon noodlesSoba noodles
Soba changes the texture and feel but still makes a great soup
DepthPantry
Test Kitchen Pick
Mirin
Helpful Pantry Staple
Why the mirin matters
Mirin quietly rounds out sauces like this with sweetness and gloss. It is one of those ingredients you notice more when it is missing.
This adds balance, not just sweetness.
- Rounds out saltier sauces
- Useful in glazes, noodle dishes, and marinades
A bottle of mirin becomes surprisingly versatile once it is in the pantry.
Shop mirin for this recipeTips & Storage
Pro Tips
Frozen udon is often better than shelf-stable packets for texture.
A soft egg or tofu added at the end makes the soup even heartier.
Storage
Store the broth and noodles separately if possible for up to 3 days.
Reheating
Reheat the broth gently and warm the noodles briefly in the soup.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving (1 bowl) · 4 servings
Calories290
LowModerateHigh
A moderate-calorie serving · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet
Protein9g
Carbohydrates44g
Fat8g
Fiber2g
Sugar4g
Sodium840mg
Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I make it vegetarian?
- Yes. Use kombu-shiitake broth instead of dashi made with bonito.
- What mushrooms work best?
- Shiitake and cremini are both excellent and easy to find.
Explore More
About Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.
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