Savory Bacon and Bean Sprout Stir-fry with Chewy Udon Noodles
Effortless Bacon & Bean Sprout Stir-fry (feat. Udon for Extra Satisfaction!)
Revitalize your ingredients with this quick and delicious stir-fry! Perfect for using up bacon nearing its expiration date, this dish combines savory bacon, crisp bean sprouts, and tender udon noodles. It’s a flavorful and satisfying meal that works wonderfully as a side dish for rice or a delightful snack.
Main Ingredients
- 1 bag Fresh Bean Sprouts (approx. 300g)
- 1 pack Flavorful Bacon (approx. 200g)
- 3 sheets Fish Cakes
- 1/2 Onion
- 1 Korean Green Chili Pepper (optional)
- 2 servings Udon Noodles
Perfect Seasoning Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Dark Soy Sauce (for umami)
- 3 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Cooking Syrup (or honey/sugar)
- 1 Tbsp Perilla Oil (or sesame oil)
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 2 Tbsp Cooking Oil
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil (for finishing)
- 1 tsp Toasted Sesame Seeds
- 1 Tbsp Dark Soy Sauce (for umami)
- 3 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Cooking Syrup (or honey/sugar)
- 1 Tbsp Perilla Oil (or sesame oil)
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 2 Tbsp Cooking Oil
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil (for finishing)
- 1 tsp Toasted Sesame Seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the seasoning sauce. In a small bowl, combine all the sauce ingredients and mix them well. Having the sauce ready beforehand makes the cooking process much smoother.
Step 2
Rinse the bean sprouts thoroughly under cold water and drain them very well in a colander. Properly draining the bean sprouts is crucial to prevent the stir-fry from becoming watery and to maintain their crisp texture.
Step 3
Cut the bacon into bite-sized pieces (about 1-2 cm wide). Slice the onion into similar-sized pieces. Slice the fish cakes and thinly slice the Korean green chili pepper (if using and you prefer less heat, you can remove the seeds or omit it entirely).
Step 4
To ensure the udon noodles are perfectly chewy, blanch them in boiling water for just about 1-2 minutes until they are slightly softened and can be easily separated. Avoid overcooking them at this stage, as they will cook further in the stir-fry.
Step 5
Now, let’s stir-fry! Heat 2 tablespoons of cooking oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-low heat. Add 1 tablespoon of minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
Step 6
Once the garlic is fragrant, add the sliced bacon to the pan. Increase the heat to medium and cook until the bacon is golden brown and slightly crispy. The rendered bacon fat will add wonderful flavor to the dish.
Step 7
When the bacon is nicely browned, add the sliced onion, fish cakes, and green chili pepper (if using). Stir-fry everything together until the vegetables are slightly softened and have absorbed some of the bacon’s delicious flavor.
Step 8
Continue to stir-fry, mixing all the ingredients evenly with a spatula. Cooking over medium heat prevents the ingredients from burning and ensures they cook through beautifully.
Step 9
Add the blanched udon noodles to the pan. Gently separate the noodles and mix them with the other ingredients, ensuring they are evenly distributed and begin to warm through.
Step 10
Once the udon noodles are well combined, pour the prepared seasoning sauce over everything in the pan. Toss gently to coat all the ingredients with the savory sauce.
Step 11
Finally, add the drained bean sprouts to the pan. Stir-fry quickly for about 1-2 minutes, just until the bean sprouts are slightly wilted but still retain a pleasant crispness. Overcooking will make them soggy.
Step 12
The stir-fry is almost ready! You’ll see a beautiful glossy coating on all the ingredients, indicating they are perfectly cooked and flavored.
Step 13
To finish, drizzle 1 tablespoon of sesame oil over the stir-fry for an extra layer of aroma and flavor, and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of toasted sesame seeds. Your delicious Bacon and Bean Sprout Stir-fry with Udon is ready to be enjoyed!
