Most of you probably know about Udon, Soba, Somen and other Japanese noodles.
Soba and Udon are the most beloved noodles in Japan. Sometimes people even divide to different noodles groups. Only Soba lovers who don’t eat Udon, or, maybe sometimes Udon and Somen lovers don’t like Soba noodles.
First, we would like to talk about thick white noodles – Udon (うどん). Udon is made of wheat flour, salt, and water. It is the thickest noodles comparing to Somen, Soba, and other noodles. Udon noodles have a chewy texture and almost no taste which suits with many toppings.
Udon can be cooked in many different ways; it’s widely prepared as soup or only noodles, hot, cold and fried versions.
The most widely known types of Udon in Japan:
1. Kake Udon – the most basic type of udon with no toppings except green onion, served as a soup (hot);
2. Tempura Udon – Udon which usually served with fried tempura food, which is placed on the top of noodles or on a different plate. Tempura Udon can be prepared both ways hot and cold.
3. Kitsune Udon – Basically Udon as a hot or cold soup with fried Tofu ( which called Abura-Age in Japan) on the top.
4. Tanuki Udon – most of the cases it’s served as a hot soup with Tempura crumb on the top, which is called tenkasu in Japanese.
5. Bukkake Udon – Chilled Udon which is usually served with a cold soy broth with different toppings on your choice. Usually, it’s fried Ebi-Tempura (shrimp), soft-cooked tempura egg, fish fried in tempura, fresh cucumber and etc.
6. Chikara Udon – Made to give you more strength, because of Mochi which is a part of Chikara Udon. It supposes to make you very “Genki”. Chikara Udon is served as a hot soup.
7. Curry Udon – one type more Udon which is beloved among Japanese people. It’s prepared with Japanese curry and served in a bowl of steaming noodles. It’s very comforting for the winter time to warm up quickly. It’s very messy and splashy, therefore look after your clothes not to get dirty.
There are more types of Udon, depending on the region and season in Japan. For example, for autumn there is a Tsukimi Udon which is meant to be eaten to enjoy the beautiful moon during Tsukimi festival (Moon viewing festival or Mid-Autumn festival). Some restaurants offer their specials which makes it more fun to eat.
But why udon is good for your body?
Improves immune system
One bowl of Udon contains Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B9, and folate. B1 helps to resist the stress and makes your immune system stronger. All B group vitamins convert carbs into the body energy which you need to use for a long hard-working day or to do sports. Vitamin B3 also helps to produce necessary hormones in the kidneys and other parts.
Diet and Weight control
Udon consists of the specific complex of carbohydrates that are more slowly digested comparing to simple carbohydrates. Studies show that this type of carbs contributes to weight loss. Moreover, Udon noodles are light and well absorbed by the body.
Prevents health problems and diseases
Unlike simple carbohydrates, Udon’s complex of carbohydrates reduces the possibility to develop heart diseases and type 2 diabetes. As we mentioned above, Udon is made of whole grain wheat flour which gives you daily required fiber dose; which helps to prevent cancer.
Anti-stress effect
Working in Japan can be very stressful from time to time. As a result, stress can lead to a big depression and affect your work. We don’t want that to happen, therefore there is one more tip to reduce your stress. Udon is also recommended in many diets as “soul food” to comfort your body and release the stress.
No need to worry if you are allergic to gluten, some noodles are made from different types of flour, for example, brown rice.
How to eat Udon and where to find it?
Soba and Udon restaurants are can be found near stations, many streets and food courts in Japan. It’s absolutely inexpensive and delicious most of the time. It’s getting more popular among foreigners in Japan and overseas.
Unlike in Europe with pasta where it would be considered as bad manners, in Japan noodles should be eaten by slurping. Basically, you eat Udon by chopsticks and slurp noodles; sounds funny, doesn’t it? But the reason why you should do that is simple, it cools down the noodles so you would not burn your tongue and it tastes better when you slurp it!
Stay warm and eat Udon this winter.