Vegetarian udon noodle soup—a Japanese vegan recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is udon a vegetarian or non vegetarian food? ›

At its core, udon is made from a simple mixture of wheat flour, water, and salt, which at first glance, seems perfect for vegetarians and vegans. However, the traditional udon broth often leans on seafood, like dried sardines and bonito flakes, for its rich flavor.

Generally yes, udon is vegan-friendly as it's simply made from wheat flour and water. They're one of the few types of noodles that don't commonly contain egg. However, it's always worth double-checking an ingredients list or asking at a restaurant to make sure.

Is Udon Soup Healthy? Aside from the flavourful textures and all-around taste that's tied to udon soup, the soup as a whole is greatly beneficial for you to eat. After all, it's filled with essential vitamins and minerals from its broth, noodles, and veggies that are in it to consume.

The broth too is different from ramen. Udon has two main types of broth each coming from a different part of Japan. Kanto style udon comes from the east and Kansai comes from the west. Kanto udon soup tends to be saltier and darker whereas Kansai is lighter and usually made with dashi.

There's nothing more comforting than a steaming bowl of Vegetarian Udon Noodle Soup! Made with vegan dashi broth and topped with minced mushroom, tofu, crispy fried eggplant, and bok choy, this is going to be your favorite thing to eat all year round.

To make udon soup broth, make dashi (Japanese soup stock) and season it with soy sauce, mirin, (sometimes sake), sugar, and salt. It's very simple and easy!

What noodles can you use instead of udon noodles? You can use soba or ramen noodles in stir fries, but they don't have the same texture and thickness. Choose thicker ramen noodles to substitute in dishes with broths.

Japanese food can be delicious and wholesome for both vegans and vegetarians. Rice and vegan-friendly noodles make up the base of most dishes. Tofu is available in a staggering variety of shapes and textures. Miso, a seasoning made of fermented soybeans and koji (a fungus) is in many dishes.

As per Wikipedia, Hoisin (海鮮) is actually the Chinese word for “seafood”, however, the sauce does not contain any seafood ingredients, so it's naturally vegan. Why is it called “hoisin” then? Because the sauce was often used as an accompaniment to seafood dishes.

Udon is considered the healthier of the two because it is typically served with simpler toppings. Ramen has more sodium due to kansui and is often served with butter and other rich toppings.

Is udon healthier than pasta? ›

Ramen or Udon Noodles

They have less fiber and protein than plain pasta and, unless they're enriched, fewer nutrients. Udon is thick and chewy, while ramen is thinner and springier. Serving suggestions: Instant soups can be ultraprocessed, and often loaded with sodium and unhealthy fat.

The slurping enhances the flavors and helps cool down the hot noodles as they enter your mouth. If there is a broth, it is drunk directly from the bowl, eliminating the need for a spoon. It is not considered rude to leave some unfinished soup in the bowl at the end of the meal.

Which is Healthier, Udon or Soba? With its wholegrain like appearance and buckwheat heavy base, Soba is the healthier choice when it comes to your Asian noodle game. This is because buckwheat is lower in carbohydrates and lower in calories so it's a good choice for those trying to cut back.

Shio is considered a healthier ramen because of the thinner broth. Instead of the flavor from fat in the liquid, it comes from salt and other seasonings. Keep it low in calories by minimizing the fatty toppings or adding more vegetables to your noodles.

At the end of the meal, it is alright to leave some unfinished soup in the bowl. You do not need to drink the whole bowl to be polite, although it is considered a compliment to the chef to do so.

Top Ramen's chili flavored ramen is also vegetarian and vegan, though it is not as common as the Soy Sauce flavor. But be careful! Make sure you don't accidentally purchase Maruchan Original flavor, which is also in a blue package but is NOT vegetarian.

Japanese cuisine is known for its heavy use of meat and fish, and even stocks and sauces usually have some ingredients containing meat. Vegetarianism and veganism are not as popular in Japan as it is in the West, so you'll find there's often some confusion as to what you can and can't eat.

Udon is made with flour and some salt. It is then kneaded and shaped like noodles. Soba, on the other hand, is made from powdered buckwheat, though in some areas, flour is also used. It is also kneaded and shaped like noodles.

Is there a vegetarian bone broth? Bone broth is, by definition, animal based (bone). If you want a vegetarian broth, you can make it with vegetables, just like you do with bone broth.