Tanuki Udon

Tanuki Udon is a Kyoto’s original Udon soup. This particular Udon is thick and contains ground ginger for a special taste. Most Kyoto Udon restaurants serve Tanuki Udon but it is harder to find in other cities. Ginger and green onion are good for a sore throat, so this is a good recipe if you are feeling sick!

Yield: 3 servings
Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 Udon noodles
  
• 1/4 Aburaage (thin dried tofu) (2” slices)
  
• 1/2 green onion (sliced lengthwise and chopped—see picture)
  
• 1/2 oz ground ginger
  

Spices

• 5 cups dashi soup or 5 cups hot water and 1/4 oz (8g) hondashi powder
  
• 1 tbsp sake
  
• 2 tbsp mirin
  
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 tbsp salt
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 2 tbsp katakuriko (mixed with 5 tbsp water)
  

Preparation

1. For dry Udon noodles, boil for the recommended time on the package. If the noodles are fresh, only boil for 2 minutes to separate.
   
2. Boil dashi soup then add sake, mirin, sugar, salt, soy sauce, and mix
   
3. Add katakuriko to thicken the soup
   
4. Add aburaage and ginger
   
5. Transfer Udon noodles to a bowl. If the noodles are stuck together, loosen with a little hot water and strain.
   
6. Sprinkle green onions on top and serve!