Nabeyaki Udon (Udon Noodles in Hot Pot Broth)
Why this recipe works
- Clean, layered broth: Dashi, fish broth, soy sauce and mirin create a savoury-sweet base with depth but no heaviness.
- Warming and complete: Chicken, noodles, mushrooms, greens and egg make the bowl filling while keeping the broth light.
- Hot pot-style cooking: Simmering the ingredients in the broth lets the udon absorb flavour while the egg sets gently on top.
Get the most out of this recipe
Timing notes
- Serve straight away: Udon continues to absorb broth as it sits, so the best texture is immediately after cooking.
- Prepare ingredients first: Slice the chicken, mushrooms and spring onion before starting so each ingredient can be added at the right moment.
- For a softer egg: Once the egg is added, covering the pot and letting residual heat finish the setting gives a gentler texture.
Ingredient notes
- Choose thick udon: Fresh or pre-cooked udon works well here because it heats quickly and keeps its chewy texture in broth.
- Use a good dashi base: The broth carries the dish, so a well-balanced dashi powder or stock base makes a noticeable difference.
- Slice chicken evenly: Bite-sized pieces cook quickly and stay tender without needing a long simmer.
Common mistakes
- Boiling after adding the egg: A hard boil can break up the egg white and make the broth cloudy; keep the heat at a gentle simmer.
- Overcooking the noodles: Udon should be hot and tender but still springy, so follow the packet timing and avoid leaving it in the broth too long.
- Reheating without extra liquid: Stored noodles may absorb broth, so add a little water when reheating to restore the soup consistency.
Make-ahead tips
- Prep components ahead: The chicken, mushrooms and spring onion can be sliced in advance and refrigerated separately until needed.
- Reheat gently: Warm leftovers in a saucepan until piping hot, adding a little water if the broth has thickened.
- Cook the egg fresh: For the best texture, add a fresh egg when reheating rather than storing the cooked egg in the soup.
Equipment you'll need
Ingredients
Instructions
- Pour the fish broth into a saucepan and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Whisk in the dashi powder until dissolved, then stir in the light soy sauce and mirin.
- Slice the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces and add them to the simmering broth. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, keeping the broth at a steady simmer, until the chicken is just cooked through.
- Trim and slice the shiitake mushrooms, then add them to the pot. Simmer for 4 minutes until the mushrooms are tender and the broth is fragrant.
- Add the udon noodles and gently loosen them with tongs so they do not clump. Simmer for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the noodles are hot and tender (follow the packet timing if needed).
- Stir in the spinach and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until just wilted. Crack in the eggs, spacing them apart, then cover and cook on a gentle simmer until the whites are set and the yolks are still soft.
- Thinly slice the spring onion. Ladle the noodles, chicken, mushrooms and broth into bowls, making sure each bowl gets an egg, then scatter over the spring onion and serve piping hot.
Recipe notes
Tips
- Keep the broth at a gentle simmer once the eggs go in; a hard boil can break the whites and cloud the soup.
- For a softer egg, take the pot off the heat once covered and let it stand for 2 minutes to finish setting in the residual heat.
- If serving anyone who should avoid undercooked eggs, cook the eggs until the yolks are firm.
Substitutions
- Replace chicken thighs with chicken breast for a leaner bowl; add it a minute later and avoid overcooking.
- Replace spinach with baby kale for a slightly firmer green that holds its texture in the broth.
- Replace light soy sauce with dark soy sauce for a deeper colour and a slightly richer flavour; start with 1.5 tbsp and adjust to taste.
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 2 days
- Cool quickly and refrigerate in a sealed container. Reheat gently in a saucepan until piping hot; add a splash of water if the noodles have absorbed too much broth. For best texture, cook the eggs fresh when reheating.
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Recipe overview
- Servings: 2 bowls
- Total time: 40min (25min active)
- Difficulty: Medium
- Cuisine: Japanese
-
Allergens:
Eggs Soybeans Wheat
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