Spicy Seafood Stir-Fried Udon Recipe: Quick Japanese-Style Noodles with Shrimp

How to Make Spicy Seafood Stir-Fried Udon at Home - Easy and Flavorful Recipe with Shrimp and Bean Sprouts

Cooking time : 15 mins

If you’re looking for a quick, comforting, and flavor-packed noodle dish, you’ll love this spicy seafood stir-fried udon recipe. Inspired by Korean and Japanese flavors, this dish combines the chewy texture of udon noodles, the umami depth of oyster sauce, the fiery kick of Korean red pepper powder, and the briny sweetness of shrimp to create a hearty and satisfying meal you can whip up in under 15 minutes.

Last weekend, I had some frozen udon noodles and shrimp left over from my cold udon recipe, and I didn’t want them to go to waste. So I came up with this spicy seafood stir-fried udon recipe. Not only did it help clean out my freezer, but it also turned out so good that I had to share it with you here.

Whether you’re cooking for yourself, your partner, or a cozy dinner with friends, this easy spicy udon noodle stir fry with seafood will hit the spot. Let’s dive into the full recipe, cooking tips, and serving ideas!

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Ingredients for seafood stir-fry udon

This spicy stir-fried udon recipe serves two generous portions. All the ingredients are pantry-friendly, and the use of frozen shrimp and udon makes it an easy weeknight choice.

Main Ingredients:

• 2 portions frozen udon noodles
• 8–10 pieces frozen shrimp (peeled and deveined)
• ½ medium onion, sliced lengthwise
• 2 stalks green onion, cut into 1cm pieces
• 200g bean sprouts

For the sauce and seasoning:

• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons Korean red pepper powder (gochugaru)
• 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil (neutral oil like canola or vegetable oil)
• Salt and pepper to taste

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Step-by-Step: How to make Spicy Seafood Udon

Step 1: Prep the Frozen Ingredients

Start by thawing both your frozen shrimp and frozen udon noodles. Place the shrimp in a bowl of water to let them defrost gently, and soak the udon noodles in lukewarm water until they become pliable and separated.

This process takes about 5-10 minutes. If your udon is clumped, gently separate them by hand while they soak.

Step 2: Slice the Vegetables

While the noodles and shrimp are thawing, prepare your aromatics and veggies.

• Slice half an onion lengthwise.
• Cut 2 stalks of green onion into 1cm pieces.
• Rinse the bean sprouts and shake off any excess water.

Step 3: Stir-Fry Aromatics - Garlic, Onion, and Green Onion

Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large frying pan or wok over medium-high heat. Start with the cold pan, add the minced garlic, onions, and green onions.

Stir-fry for about 1 minute, or until the onions start to turn slightly translucent and the garlic becomes aromatic. This step creates the flavor base of the entire dish.

Step 4: Add the Shrimp

Once the aromatics are fragrant, toss in the shrimp. Stir-fry for about 1 minute or until they begin to turn pink. Since the shrimp are partially thawed, they will cook very quickly.

Be careful not to overcook them, they’ll finish cooking with the noodles in the next steps.

Step 5: Toast the Soy Sauce for Flavor

To deepen the flavor, push the shrimp and veggies to one side of the pan. Pour 2 tablespoons of soy sauce along the outer edge of the pan, allowing it to sizzle and lightly burn for a few seconds. This step gives the dish a toasty, smoky aroma that mimics wok hei without using a high-BTU flame.

Immediately toss the soy sauce mixture with the rest of the pan so that the shrimp and veggies are coated.

Step 6: Add Udon Noodles and Red Pepper Powder

Add the soaked udon noodles directly to the pan and toss well. Sprinkle over 2 tablespoons of Korean red pepper powder and stir-fry everything for about 2 minutes, making sure the noodles are fully coated in the spicy sauce.

Tip: If your pan seems dry, you can add a tablespoon of water or a bit more oil to loosen the noodles and prevent burning.

Step 7: Finish with Bean Sprouts and Oyster Sauce

Add 200g of bean sprouts and 2 tablespoons of oyster sauce. Increase the heat to high and stir-fry for 1-2 minutes, tossing constantly.

You want to cook the bean sprouts very quickly, just enough to soften them slightly but still retain their crunch. If you cook them for too long, they will release water, and your stir-fry might turn soggy.

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Why This Spicy Seafood Udon Stir Fry Works

This dish hits the perfect balance of:

• Heat from the red pepper powder
• Umami from soy sauce and oyster sauce
• Sweetness and bite from onions
• Crunch from lightly cooked bean sprouts
• Plump juiciness from shrimp
• Chewy satisfaction from udon noodles

It’s the kind of comforting bowl you’ll crave on rainy days, long weekdays, or chilly evenings.

Tips for the Best Stir-Fried Udon Noodles

• Use frozen udon noodles, not dried: Frozen udon has a much chewier, authentic texture compared to dried ones.
• Don’t overcook the shrimp: Add them just before the noodles to prevent rubbery texture.
• High heat = better stir-fry: Especially when cooking with bean sprouts, you want high heat and speed.
• Use oyster sauce, not hoisin: Oyster sauce brings more umami without the added sweetness of hoisin.
• Optional ingredients: Add mushrooms, bell peppers, or even squid for variety.

Variations on This Spicy Seafood Udon Recipe

Want to switch things up? Try these ideas:

• Spicy seafood yaki udon: Add gochujang for a deeper, richer spice.
• Vegan udon stir fry: Swap shrimp for tofu and skip oyster sauce for a vegan stir-fry sauce.
• Japanese-style: Add bonito flakes or drizzle a little sesame oil at the end.
• Korean fusion: Add a soft-boiled egg on top and serve with kimchi.

This recipe was born from leftovers, but it’s now one of my favorite go-to dishes. It’s satisfying, spicy, and full of texture. The combination of chewy udon and juicy shrimp is already amazing, but the bean sprouts give it a fresh lift that makes each bite exciting.

Even better, this dish is endlessly customizable, uses inexpensive ingredients, and can be cooked in one pan, making cleanup a breeze.

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Final Thoughts - A Quick and Flavorful Shrimp Udon Stir Fry

If you’re craving a quick and spicy seafood noodle stir-fry, this recipe is for you. It’s perfect for weeknights, easy to adjust based on your pantry, and delivers restaurant-quality results with very little effort. Also, it’s an easy and quick izakaya dish! Let me know if you give this recipe a try! I’d love to see how you make this recipe your own.

Until next time, happy cooking and happy slurping!