This Beef Udon Soup recipe is a hearty and satisfying dish that combines steak, savory broth, and chewy fresh udon noodles for a comforting and balanced meal. Finished with toppings like a jammy egg and furikake, this recipe is layers upon layers of texture and flavor. It’s a perfect choice for a cozy dinner or when you’re craving a restaurant-quality meal at home.
Easy Beef Udon Soup Recipe
If you have a grocery store near you that sells fresh udon noodles and you aren’t taking full advantage, you’re doing it wrong. Udon noodles have the perfect bite, cook quickly in any hot liquid, and even work well for stir fry too.
You could spend a lot of time and effort making the perfect homemade broth for this soup, but that wasn’t the life we were living this day and so that’s not the recipe you’re getting, either. We keep it real here. What you see if what we eat. Sometimes that means spending three days over the stove making homemade, as-close-to-authentic-as-I-can-possibly-get ramen from scratch, and sometimes that means picking up a Japanese soup base from the fancy grocery store in town and doctoring it up.
Buy our favorite pasta by clicking on the image below!
Can’t find the soup base we recommend, or do you want to just wing it and make your own? You can make a pretty convincing substitute by using beef stock, fish sauce, a little sugar, some MSG, soy sauce, and rice wine. Experiment. That’s part of the fun!
For the steak, you know we had to break out my favorite seasoning for steaks, roasts, and burgers – our OWYD Smokey SPG. If you haven’t picked yours up yet, DO IT! This was a pretty small run, so you’ll want to make sure to grab some before it sells out. It is a game-changer for all the beef. You can use it on more than just beef, of course, but that’s my favorite and where it really shines. Until yours shows up in your mailbox, you can get away with doing your own mix of salt, pepper, and garlic. I won’t tell. Or yell. Too loud.
Why You’ll Love This Dish
- Rich Umami Flavor: The Japanese soy soup base and dashi create a deeply savory broth.
- Balanced Texture: Tender steak, chewy udon, and soft jammy egg bring harmony to every bite.
- Customizable Toppings: Add your favorite garnishes to personalize the dish.
- Quick and Easy: Ready in under 30 minutes for a hassle-free meal.
- Nutritious: Includes greens like bok choy and protein-packed steak.
Try our Spicy Tonkotsu Miso Ramen!
Easy Beef Udon Soup shopping list
Wondering if you have to hit the store? Here’s the list of items you’ll need to make this recipe. For specific amounts, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Ingredients
- Steak
- OWYD Salt, Pepper, Garlic
- Butter
- Japanese Soy Soup Base
- Salt
- Onion Powder
- Korean Chili Flake
- Dashi
- Baby Bok Choy
- Oil
- Fresh Sliced Shiitake Mushrooms
- Fresh Udon Noodles
- Furikake
- Jammy Egg (get my recipe for a marinated jammy egg here!)
- Chopped Green Onion
Have our Homemade Tonkotsu Ramen!
How to make Beef Udon Soup
This is just the overview so you can see what you’re actually getting into here. When you are cooking, you’ll want to use the full recipe at the bottom of the page.
- Cook the Steak: Season and sear the steak in butter to your preferred doneness. Set aside and slice.
- Prepare the Broth: Simmer the soy soup base with seasonings and bok choy for a flavorful base.
- Cook Mushrooms: Brown the shiitake mushrooms in oil, then add them to the broth.
- Simmer Noodles: Cook the udon noodles in the broth according to the package instructions.
- Assemble: Top with sliced steak, furikake, jammy egg, and green onion.
Serve with some Smash Dumplings!
FAQ
Can I Make This in Advance?
While it’s best to prepare and serve this dish fresh, you can cook the steak and broth ahead of time, storing them separately in the refrigerator. Reheat and add the noodles and toppings just before serving.
How Should I Store Leftovers?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave.
What Are Some Substitutions?
- Protein: Swap steak for chicken, pork, or shrimp.
- Vegetables: Use spinach, napa cabbage, or broccoli in place of bok choy.
- Noodles: Substitute with soba or ramen noodles if udon isn’t available.
Can I Adjust the Spice Level?
Absolutely! Increase or decrease the Korean chili flakes to match your preferred heat level.
Munch on a homemade Asian Cucumber Salad!
Serve This With…
- A side of Gyoza for a complete Japanese-inspired meal.
- Pickled Vegetables to add a tangy counterpoint.
- Some Egg Rolls for some crunch!
Beef Udon is a versatile and satisfying dish perfect for a weeknight dinner or a cozy meal with friends. Its combination of bold flavors, tender ingredients, and simple preparation makes it a favorite for any occasion. Whether you’re new to Japanese cuisine or a seasoned home cook, this recipe delivers delicious results every time.
Eat More Soup!
We Love Udon. You should, too!
Beef Udon Soup
Ingredients
Steak
- 4 ounces steak
- 2 teaspoons OWYD Salt Pepper, Garlic
- 1 tablespoon butter
Udon
- 26 ounces Japanese Soy Soup Base (see notes)
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon powder
- 1/8 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon Korean chili flake
- 1/2 teaspoon dashi
- 2 heads baby bok choy
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1/4 cup fresh sliced shiitake mushrooms
- 8 ounces fresh udon noodles
- 1/2 teaspoon furikake
- 1 jammy egg
- 1 teaspoon chopped green onion
Instructions
- Preheat a pan over medium heat. Season the steak with the SPG.
- Melt the butter in the pan. Put the seasoned steak into the pan and brown on both sides. Cook to your desired doneness level. We prefer medium-rare. Remove from the heat and set aside before slicing.
- Combine the soup base, seasonings, and bok choy in a pot. Bring up to a simmer.
- While that is simmering, preheat the oil in a small skillet and brown the shiitake noodles. Once they are browned on both sides, add to the soup base.
- Add the fresh udon noodles to the pot and let simmer for a few minutes (according to package directions.)
- Top with your furikake, jammy egg, and chopped green onion.
