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Fall is in the air and that means it’s time for all things soup! This shrimp tempura udon soup is perfect for a chilly day. The Udon noodles are simmered in a delicious broth with shrimp, cabbage, and green onion. To top it off, I add a crispy tempura batter to the shrimp and serve it all up with some delicious miso soup. Lilianakitchen.com will show you how to make the basic version of the soup, but feel free to add your own twists!
What Is Tempura Udon?
Tempura udon is a soup that combines two classic Japanese dishes: tempura and udon. The tempura batter is added to vegetables or seafood and then deep fried, creating a crispy battered texture. This is combined with Udon noodles, which are thick wheat noodles that have been simmered in a delicious broth for hours.
What Does Udon Soup Taste Like?
Udon soup is a type of Japanese noodle soup that is made with thick, chewy udon noodles and a variety of savory toppings. The soup has a heartiness that comes from the noodles, while the toppings add a touch of flavor and texture. Common toppings for udon soup include thinly sliced meats, vegetables, and egg. The soup can also be flavored with soy sauce, mirin, or other seasonings. While udon soup is often served as a main dish, it can also make a satisfying appetizer or side dish. Whether you’re looking for a warm bowl of soup to comfort you on a cold day or a hearty meal to fuel your next adventure, udon soup is sure to hit the spot.
What’s The Difference Between Ramen And Udon Noodles?
Udon noodles are thick and chewy wheat flour noodles that are made in Japan. They’re usually boiled for a short amount of time, but can also be eaten cold with dipping sauces. Ramen noodles on the other hand, are thin and wavy egg-based noodles that originated in China. Ramen noodles take longer to cook than udon noodles, and are usually served in a broth with a variety of toppings. Both types of noodles can be used to make delicious soups and stir-fries, so it really depends on your personal preference! Try both to see which you like best. Check out: Is miso soup gluten free?
Udon Vs Miso Soup
Miso soup is a traditional Japanese dish made with miso paste, tofu, and seaweed. Udon soup is a type of noodle soup that uses thick udon noodles in place of the miso paste. Both soups can be flavored with a variety of ingredients such as vegetables or meat, but miso soup usually has less intense flavors. Udon soup is often served with tempura-fried toppings, which adds a unique texture to the dish. Both soups are delicious and filled with nutrients, so it’s up to you to decide which one you like best!

Shrimp Tempura Udon Soup
Ingredients
UDON
- Dashi: 1 litre (4 cups)
- Soy sauce: 5 tbsp (75ml)
- Mirin: 2 tbsp (30ml)
- Salt: ½ tsp
- Udon noodles: 4 portions
- Spring onion finely sliced to garnish
- Kamaboko: 8-12 slices
- Shichimi Japanese 7 spice powder
TEMPURA
- Cold water chilled: 100ml
- Sparkling water chilled: 50ml
- 15g potato starch + 75g weak flour sifted, mixed and refrigerated for 30 mins
- Flour for dusting
- Japanese egg mayonnaise: ½ tbsp OR whisked egg: ½
- Tiger Prawns (or similar large prawns): 8
- Oil for deep frying
How To Make Shrimp Tempura Udon
Udon is a type of thick Japanese wheat noodle, and tempura is a dish of battered and deep-fried seafood or vegetables. Shrimp tempura udon combines these two delicious elements into one hearty noodle dish. Here’s how to make it at home.
Prepping The Shrimp
- Peel and devein the shrimp: Start by peeling and deveining the shrimp. This will make them easier to work with and ensure that they are safe to eat.
- Make the shrimp stock: To make the shrimp stock, combine 1 litre of dashi with 5 tablespoons of soy sauce, 2 tablespoons of mirin, and ½ teaspoon of salt. Heat the mixture in a saucepan until it comes to a boil.
- Add the radishes: Cut 4 radishes into thin matchstick-sized pieces and add them to the shrimp stock. Let them simmer in the stock for a few minutes until they are just cooked through.
Tempura
- Preheating your oil to the correct temperature is key to achieving the perfect fried chicken. If the oil is too hot, the outside of the chicken will be burnt before the inside is cooked through. If the oil is not hot enough, the chicken will absorb too much oil and will be greasy. The ideal temperature is 180C (356F).
- When making the batter, it is important to use cold water and sparkling water. This helps to create a light, crispy coating. Adding egg mayonnaise (or half a whisked egg) binds the ingredients together and helps to create a smooth batter.
- Adding the flour and starch gradually prevents lumps from forming. Mixing roughly between each addition also helps to ensure a smooth batter. Once all of the ingredients are combined, give the batter a final mix to make sure everything is evenly combined.
- Be sure to dry the shrimp thoroughly with a paper towel. This will help the batter adhere better and result in a crispier final product.
- Next, coat the shrimp lightly with potato starch or plain flour. This will help to create a barrier between the shrimp and the hot oil, resulting in less sticking and more even cooking.
- When you’re ready to start cooking, test the oil by adding a drop of batter. If it floats and sizzles, it’s ready to go. Then, simply dip the shrimp in the batter and place them in the oil one by one. Be careful not to overcrowd the pot, as this can lead to uneven cooking.
- A classic Japanese dish, tempura is a type of fried food that is typically made with seafood or vegetables. The key to making perfect tempura is to get the batter nice and crispy without overcooking the food. For shrimp tempura, start by heating oil in a pot until it reaches 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, dip the shrimp in a batter made of egg, water, and flour. Fry for about two minutes or until the batter puffs up and becomes crispy.Remove the tempura from the pot before they become golden and place them on a wire rack to allow the excess oil to drop off. Repeat until all your tempura shrimp are cooked. Serve with rice and soy sauce for a delicious and authentic Japanese meal.
- Fry for about 2 minutes or until the batter puffs up and becomes crispy. Remove the tempura from the pot before they become golden and place them on a wire rack to allow the excess oil to drop off. Repeat until all your tempura shrimp are cooked.
Udon Noodle Soup
- Soup is a staple of Japanese cuisine, and udon noodle soup is one of the most popular varieties. The dish is simple to make and can be easily customized to your taste.
- To start, boil udon noodles in a pot according to package instructions. In a separate pot, bring dashi to a boil and add soy sauce, mirin, and salt.
- Then, turn off the heat and let the mixture sit. Drain the udon noodles and rinse them with hot water before adding them to the soup.
- Divide the noodles into serving bowls and pour the broth over the top. Then, place tempura on top of the noodles and garnish with spring onions and kamaboko. If desired, sprinkle with shichimi powder before serving.
Video How To Make This Udon
Cooking Tips
– It is important to boil the udon noodles for just the right amount of time so that they are tender but not mushy.
– Dashi adds rich flavor and savory umami notes to the broth. You can make your own dashi using kombu (dried seaweed) or buy pre-made dashi at most grocery stores.
– To customize your udon noodle soup, you can add any vegetables or proteins that you like. Some possible additions include mushrooms, tofu, bok choy, seaweed, chicken, prawns, and scallops.
Vegetarian Options
If you are looking for a meat-free version of udon noodle soup, there are plenty of options to choose from. You can add mushrooms, tofu, bok choy, and other vegetables for a healthy and flavorful dish. Some additional vegetarian toppings that would taste great with udon noodles include seaweed, scallions, and kamaboko. Simply follow the same cooking instructions, using vegetable broth instead of dashi. And, if you want to add some protein, you can toss in edamame or top your soup with a poached egg.
Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner or a hearty meal to warm you up on a cold winter day, udon noodle soup is a great option. With its delicious broth, chewy noodles, and variety of flavorful toppings, this Japanese dish is sure to satisfy your taste buds. So why wait?
Variations
- Chicken Udon Noodle Soup: To make a chicken udonle soup, simply add cooked shredded chicken to the broth along with the dashi. You can also toss in some mushrooms and bok choy for an added boost of flavor and nutrients.
- Spicy Udon Noodle Soup: For a spicy version of this dish, add some hot chili oil or chili flakes to the broth along with soy sauce and mirin. If you want to make it even spicier, top your soup with some sriracha or ground chili peppers.
- Seafood Udon Noodle Soup: For a heartier version of udon noodle soup, you can add your favorite seafood to the dish. This could include scallops, prawns, mussels, or any other shellfish that you like. Simply poach your choice of seafood in the broth until cooked through and then serve over udon noodles with your favorite toppings.
- Cold Udon Noodle Soup: If you want something refreshing on a hot summer day, you can make a chilled udon noodle soup. Simply follow the same cooking instructions and then let the soup cool to room temperature before refrigerating. You can add some shredded vegetables, such as cucumber or cabbage, for extra texture and flavor. For a finishing touch, drizzle with your favorite sauce, such as ponzu or soy sauce.
>>> My Recommend: Shrimp yaki udon recipe, Shrimp lo mein recipe
What To Serve With Udon Noodle Soup?
Udon noodle soup is a complete meal on its own and does not require any side dishes. However, if you would like to serve something alongside your soup, you can try adding rice or steamed vegetables. Additionally, if you like a bit of crunch, some fresh salad greens or seaweed would taste great with udon noodle soup. And, for a refreshing drink to pair with your meal, you can serve cold green tea or hot Japanese coffee. No matter what you choose to serve alongside udon noodle soup, it is sure to be a delicious and satisfying combination.

How To Make Shrimp Tempura Udon Soup
How To Store And Reheating Tempura Udon Soup?
If you have leftovers, you can store the soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply microwave on high until warmed through. You may need to thin out the soup with some extra water or dashi to achieve your desired consistency. Alternatively, you can also reheat udon noodle soup in a pot on the stove over medium heat. To prevent your broth from becoming too starchy or clumpy, remember to stir frequently as it reheats. And, if you prefer your udon noodles to be soft and chewy, it is best not to leave them sitting in the broth for more than 20 minutes before serving.
Conclusion
Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner or a satisfying meal to warm you up on a cold winter day, udon noodle soup is the perfect choice. With its delicious broth, chewy noodles, and variety of flavorful toppings, this Japanese dish is sure to satisfy your taste buds. So why wait? To learn how to make udon noodle soup at home, simply follow Liliana Kitchen instructions in this guide.

Ingredients
- UDON
- Dashi: 1 litre (4 cups)
- Soy sauce: 5 tbsp (75ml)
- Mirin: 2 tbsp (30ml)
- Salt: ½ tsp
- Udon noodles: 4 portions
- Spring onion finely sliced to garnish
- Kamaboko: 8-12 slices
- Shichimi Japanese 7 spice powder
- TEMPURA
- Cold water chilled: 100ml
- Sparkling water chilled: 50ml
- 15g potato starch + 75g weak flour sifted, mixed and refrigerated for 30 mins
- Flour for dusting
- Japanese egg mayonnaise: ½ tbsp OR whisked egg: ½
- Tiger Prawns (or similar large prawns): 8
- Oil for deep frying
Instructions
Prepping The Shrimp
- Peeling and deveining the shrimp.
- To make the shrimp stock, combine 1 litre of dashi with 5 tablespoons of soy sauce, 2 tablespoons of mirin, and ½ teaspoon of salt. Heat the mixture in a saucepan until it comes to a boil.
- Cut 4 radishes into thin matchstick-sized pieces and add them to the shrimp stock. Let them simmer in the stock for a few minutes until they are just cooked through.
Tempura
- Preheat your oil to 356F for the perfect fried chicken.
- Use cold water and sparkling water to create a light, crispy coating when making the batter.
- Add egg mayonnaise (or half a whisked egg) to bind ingredients together and help create a smooth batter.
- Gradually add flour and starch to prevent lumps from forming. Mix roughly between each addition also helps ensure a smooth batter. Once all ingredients are combined, give the batter a final mix to make sure everything is evenly combined.
- Dry shrimp thoroughly with paper towel before coating lightly with potato starch or plain flour - this will help with less sticking and more even cooking.
- Test oil by adding drop of batter - if it floats and sizzles, it's ready! Dip shrimp in batter & place in oil one-by-one without overcrowding pot (this leads uneven cooking).
Udon Noodle Soup
- Udon noodles are boiled in a pot according to package instructions.
- Dashi is brought to a boil in a separate pot and soy sauce, mirin, and salt are added.
- The heat is turned off and the mixture is allowed to sit.
- The udon noodles are drained and rinsed with hot water before being added to the soup.
- The noodles are divided into serving bowls and the broth is poured over them.
- Tempura is placed on top of the noodles along with spring onions and kamaboko for garnish.
Notes
- The cooking time for udon noodles can vary depending on the brand and thickness, but typically it takes less than 10 minutes to boil.
- You can use your favorite combination of vegetables or meat in the soup, just be sure to cook them until they are tender before adding the udon noodles.
- For a crispier tempura, try lightly dusting your shrimp with flour or potato starch before frying.
- If you want to add more flavor to your udon noodle soup, try adding a dash of sesame oil or chili paste for extra spice.