30 Must-Try Japanese Noodle Recipes for Every Occasion | Sudachi (2024)

Like any other Asian country, Japan boasts a wide variety of noodle dishes, including udon, soba, and ramen. In this roundup, I have curated a list of 30 authentic Japanese noodle dishes that I personally love. Many of these dishes are easy to prepare, so you can make them for lunch or dinner. Give them a try!

1. Shoyu Ramen Noodles (Soy Sauce Flavored Chuka Soba)

Shoyu Ramen is a classic Japanese ramen noodle dish with a soy sauce-based broth. This recipe features a chicken wings and dashi base and adheres closely to traditional elements.

It is perfect for those who appreciate traditional Japanese ramen, this dish offers a taste of Japanese ramen that is both comforting and delicious.

2. Kitsune Udon (Udon Noodles with Deep Fried Tofu)

Kitsune Udon is a popular Japanese noodle soup dish with thick udon noodles, savory dashi broth, and seasoned aburaage. The fried tofu in kitsune udon varies regionally but is typically boiled, seasoned with sugar, soy sauce, and mirin.

This recipe focuses on preparing the kitsune with a delicate sweetness, resulting in a deliciously seasoned tofu that perfectly complements the light dashi broth. It’s an easy-to-follow recipe that anyone can recreate for a cozy family dinner or a nourishing lunch.

3. Duck Soba Noodle Soup (Kamo Nanban Soba)

Kamo Nanban Soba is a distinctive Japanese soba noodle dish with duck meat and chunky Japanese leeks. The duck meat imparts a rich and fatty flavor to the broth, creating an umami-packed soup that complements the soba noodles perfectly.

I highly encourage you to try this recipe and experience the unique combination for yourself!

4. Chicken Shio Ramen (Salt Base Broth)

Shio Ramen is a traditional Japanese ramen noodle dish known for its delicate flavor and simplicity. Unlike other ramen types, shio ramen has a clear and light broth, making it a refreshing choice for ramen enthusiasts.

This particular recipe simplifies the traditional method of simmering broth for long hours by using ground chicken to create a rich and flavorful broth. It captures the essence of shio ramen and offers a delicious homemade ramen experience that is both accessible and delicious!

5. Hiyashi Tanuki Udon (Cold)

Hiyashi Tanuki Udon is a chilled version of the traditional Tanuki Udon noodle dish, which includes deep-fried tempura batter flakes. This recipe is a quick-to-make, homemade sauce of dashi, soy sauce, mirin, and brown sugar, boiled together and cooled.

It’s a refreshing and satisfying dish, perfect for a summer day!

6. Kake Soba (New Year’s Eve Soba Noodle Soup)

Kake Soba is a traditional noodle dish made with buckwheat noodles, hot dashi-based soup, and few ingredients. This easy recipe takes just 10 minutes and includes optional toppings like green onions and shichimi togarashi.

It’s a comforting and satisfying meal, perfect for a quiet evening at home. It’s also considered a lucky dish for gatherings with friends and family on New Year’s Eve.

7. 15 Minute Spicy Tsukemen (Dipping Ramen)

Tsukemen is a dipping version of traditional ramen. Boiled noodles are served alongside a bowl of rich dipping sauce. This recipe simplifies the process without sacrificing flavor and can be made in just 15 minutes.

It combines the rich traditions tsukemen ramen with a spicy, modern twist, making it ideal for anyone looking for a delicious, spicy meal.

8. Shrimp Tempura Udon Noodle Soup (Ebiten Udon)

Shrimp Tempura Udon is a very popular variation of udon dish that combines chewy udon noodles in hot soup, topped with crispy shrimp tempura.

The recipe focuses on the perfect tempura, which is achieved by using cold ingredients for the batter and carefully frying the shrimp. It is one of my personal favorites!

9. Zaru Soba (Cold Buckwheat Noodles)

Zaru Soba is a classic Japanese soba variation made with cold buckwheat noodles served on a bamboo tray. It’s mostly loved as a simple, refreshing and satisfying lunch in Japan.

Try my recipe at home for an authentic taste of zaru soba!

10. Nagasaki Champon (Ringer Hut Style)

Nagasaki Champon is a hearty and vibrant noodle dish that originates from Nagasaki City in Japan. This unique ramen variant includes a combination of pork, seafood, and various vegetables, served in a chicken or pork-based broth.

The recipe is designed to be a quick and satisfying way to bring the taste of Nagasaki to your kitchen!

11. Chicken Udon Noodle Soup (Tori Nanban Udon)

Chicken Udon Noodle Soup, or “Tori Nanban Udon,” is a comforting Japanese udon dish that includes chicken, twice-fried tofu, and udon noodles in a dashi broth with leeks.

It’s a dish that brings warmth and joy with every bite, perfect for a cozy family dinner!

12. Taiwan Mazesoba (Nagoya’s Spicy Brothless Ramen)

Taiwan Mazesoba, also known as Nagoya’s Spicy Brothless Ramen, is a dish made of thick ramen noodles, spicy minced meat mixture, soy sauce, chili, and garlic.

This recipe is a personal favorite of mine, especially for its ability to bring together a variety of flavors and textures in one dish!

13. Soba Noodle Salad with Summer Vegetables

Soba Noodle Salad is a versatile and refreshing dish made with Japanese buckwheat noodles, popular in Japan during summer. The less starchy nature of soba noodles makes them perfect for salads!

My recipe introduces a robust miso meat sauce for a fusion of flavors. It is easy to prepare, and perfect for a light lunch or dinner during summer!

14. Japanese Curry Udon

Curry Udon is a delicious and hearty Japanese noodle dish that combines curry flavors with udon noodles. Unlike traditional udon dishes, this offers a richer and more satisfying experience.

This recipe simplifies the process of making curry udon and is perfect for home cooking. This comforting dish is perfect for cold weather and can be customized for vegetarian diets!

15. Tempura Soba Noodle Soup

Tempura Soba is a classic soba variation featuring buckwheat noodles in a hot dashi broth topped with tempura. The recipe includes shrimp and a range of vegetables, such as eggplant, shiitake mushrooms, and shiso leaves.

Although the preparation can be time-consuming, the result is a rewarding experience. This dish combines the best of Japanese cooking in one dish. It’s perfect for a cozy family dinner or a special occasion!

16. Pork Miso Ramen in 15 Minutes (Sapporo Style)

Miso Ramen is a popular ramen dish with a rich broth made from miso paste. The recipe originated in Hokkaido and is known for its hearty and satisfying flavors.

The recipe is designed to be straightforward, allowing anyone to enjoy the rich flavors of miso ramen without the need for complex cooking techniques. It is perfect for a quick and delicious homemade ramen!

17. Simple Udon Noodle Soup (Kake Udon)

Kake Udon is the most basic form among hot udon dishes, featuring thick udon noodles in a light dashi broth. This dish is the foundation for many other hot udon dishes, such as Kitsune Udon.

The recipe is beginner-friendly and straightforward, making it accessible for anyone to recreate. It will bring warmth and joy with every bite, perfect for any occasion.

18. Chilled Chicken and Citrus Somen Noodle Soup

Somen Noodle Soup is perfect for hot summer days! This recipe adds a twist with sudachi, a Japanese citrus fruit, and is topped with chicken breast, cucumbers, and a soft-boiled egg.

It’s a refreshing meal with a delightful blend of flavors and textures that’s easy to make. Perfect for a light lunch or dinner during the summer months!

19. Tantanmen (Tan Tan Ramen) in 15 Minutes

Tantanmen is a Japanese twist on the Chinese dish Dandan noodles. It’s a spicy and nutty ramen dish topped with seasoned ground pork and pak choi. The broth has a rich sesame flavor, and the meat is seasoned with Chinese-style chili bean sauce (tobanjan).

This recipe captures the authentic taste of restaurants in Japan with an easy 15-minute preparation time. It’s perfect for a quick and delicious homemade ramen!

20. Authentic Yakisoba (Japanese Stir-fried Noodles)

Yakisoba is a popular Japanese street food made with stir-fried noodles, pork, and vegetables in a tangy yakisoba sauce.

The goal of this yakisoba recipe was to create an authentic Japanese dish that you would enjoy at a festival. The recipe is designed to be simple and quick, taking only about 15 minutes to prepare, making it an ideal option for a delicious homemade noodle lunch!

21. Abura Soba (Soupless Ramen)

Abura Soba is a Japanese ramen variation made with ramen noodles, a rich sauce called “tare,” and various toppings, but without a soupy broth. Recognizing the complexity of abura soba, I focused on creating a simpler, soup-less version without compromising on the authentic flavors.

It’s perfect for those who crave the rich flavors of ramen but prefer a quicker and less broth-intensive option!

22. Beef Sukiyaki Nabe Udon

Sukiyaki Udon is a delicious udon variation that combines udon noodles with a sukiyaki-style broth and ingredients. The aim of creating this recipe was to capture the essence of sukiyaki in a more straightforward and less labor-intensive form.

It’s perfect for those days when you crave a warm, satisfying sukiyaki but don’t have much time to cook!

23. Chicken Yaki Udon (Garlic & Butter Soy Sauce Fried Noodles)

Yaki Udon is a quick and delicious Japanese stir-fry dish made with thick udon noodles. This recipe is designed to be easy to prepare, taking only about 15 minutes!

It’s perfect for a satisfying lunch without spending too much time in the kitchen!

24. Tsukimi Udon Noodle Soup (Egg Udon)

Tsukimi Udon is named “Tsukimi,” which means moon gazing, because the egg topping looks like a full moon surrounded by clouds. It is rooted in the ancient custom of appreciating the autumn moon, but it’s enjoyed all year round in Japan.

My recipe for Tsukimi Udon is a creative twist on the traditional dish, featuring a fried egg and bacon topping, and playful kamaboko rabbits inspired by Japanese moon-gazing folklore. I recommend this recipe for a fun family dinner!

25. Taiwan Ramen (Spicy Nagoya Style Ramen)

Taiwan Ramen is a fusion dish that combines Taiwanese and Nagoya cuisine. It originated in the 1970s at a Nagoya restaurant called Misen, inspired by Ta-a noodles from Taiwan.

This spicy and satisfying meal captures the essence of the original Misen’s essence while being easy to make at home. I recommend this recipe if you’re looking to enjoy a classic Nagoya’s ramen that is both easy to make and full of heat.

26. Shrimp Yaki Udon (Shio Lemon Shrimp Udon Stir Fry)

Shrimp Yaki Udon is a stir-fried udon made with thick wheat noodles, shrimp, and vegetables, all flavored with a refreshing salt and lemon sauce.

It is highly customizable and easy to make, perfect for a quick, satisfying meal that tastes great!

27. Hiyashi Chuka with Homemade Sauce

Hiyashi Chuka is a refreshing Japanese dish for summer. It has cold ramen noodles, sliced vegetables, meat, and egg crepe mixed with a tangy sauce. My development of this recipe focused on creating a homemade version that captures the essence of the dish typically found in supermarkets or restaurants.

It’s perfect for a light and refreshing meal on a hot summer day, offering a balance of cool noodles and crisp vegetables in a flavorful sauce!

28. Beef Udon Noodle Soup (Niku Udon)

Beef Udon is a popular Japanese comfort udon dish featuring thick noodles in dashi broth and sliced beef and onions. Known for its hearty and satisfying taste, it commonly uses beef, though some regions in Japan use pork.

This Beef Udon recipe is cherished for its comforting, warm, and joyous qualities, making it ideal for family dinners!

29. Zaru Udon (Cold Udon with Homemade Dipping Sauce)

Zaru Udon is a popular Japanese summer dish consisting of cold udon noodles served with mentsuyu dipping sauce. It’s served on a bamboo tray to prevent the noodles from getting soggy.

This recipe is simple and perfect for a refreshing lunch on a hot summer day!

30. Nabeyaki Udon (Japanese Udon Hot Pot)

Nabeyaki Udon is a traditional Japanese hotpot dish that is different from regular udon soup. It combines udon noodles with meat, vegetables, and tempura in a donabe filled with dashi broth. It’s nutritious and comforting in winter.

The goal was to ensure that the savory broth would complement each ingredient, from the noodles to the tempura. The result is a one-pot recipe that is satisfying and captures the essence of both udon and nabe traditions!