Black Pepper Stir-Fried Udon

• dark soy sauce↗3 tablespoon

  see FAQ if using regular soy sauce

• oyster sauce↗2 tablespoon
• brown sugar↗1.5 tablespoon
• rice vinegar↗1 tablespoon
• a little neutral oil
• stir‑fry vegetables↗2 cup

  I use about half a bag of frozen stir‑fry vegetable mix

• udon packages7

  cooked, fluffy, soft like this – see post for other noodle options

• cloves of fresh garlic↗1

  minced

• a large amount of freshly ground black pepper

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Sauce: Mix all sauce ingredients in a jar.

2. 2

   Noodles: Heat a non‑stick pan over medium‑high heat. Add a little oil. Add the udon and enough sauce to coat. Stir‑fry until tasty and fragrant. (If you let them sit still for a minute‑two, they will caramelize a bit – very tasty.)

3. 3

   Vegetables: Add the vegetables and a little more sauce on top of everything (it’s okay if you don’t use it all – the rest can be kept in the fridge for the next portion). Stir for 2‑3 minutes until the vegetables are tender and everything looks browned, sticky and perfectly sautéed.

4. 4

   Finish: Remove from heat and add a little freshly grated garlic and a LARGE AMOUNT of freshly ground black pepper. (Set some aside for kids so it’s not too hot, then ADD THE PEPPER.) The aroma of fresh garlic fills the pan. A cloud of steaming noodles. This is the moment you’ve been waiting for.