Tender and Chewy Octopus Stir-Fried Udon
A Must-Try! Deliciously Savory and Spicy Stir-Fried Udon with ‘Balmun’ Octopus
Today, we’re making a delicious stir-fried udon using ‘Balmun’ octopus, known for its longer tentacles and wonderfully chewy texture compared to regular octopus. Balmun octopus offers a delightful chewiness that’s more tender than regular octopus. This dish comes together quickly with whatever vegetables you have in your fridge! If you have bok choy or bean sprouts, they’re perfect additions for extra crunch. Even if you’re not usually a fan of octopus or squid, you’ll love the satisfying chewiness of Balmun octopus combined with the rich flavors of stir-fried udon. Ready to make this amazing Balmun octopus stir-fried udon? Let’s get cooking!
Main Ingredients- 1 Balmun octopus
- Bell peppers (various colors) as needed
- 1/2 Zucchini
- 1/4 Onion
- 1 Green onion (white part)
- 1 serving Udon noodles
- 1 Tbsp Coarse salt (for octopus preparation)
Seasoning- 1 Tbsp Oyster sauce
- 1/2 Tbsp Teriyaki sauce
- 1 Tsp Oligosaccharide (or honey/sugar)
- 1 Tsp Chili oil
- 1/2 Tbsp Minced garlic
- Pinch of black pepper
- Olive oil (or cooking oil) as needed
- 1 Tbsp Oyster sauce
- 1/2 Tbsp Teriyaki sauce
- 1 Tsp Oligosaccharide (or honey/sugar)
- 1 Tsp Chili oil
- 1/2 Tbsp Minced garlic
- Pinch of black pepper
- Olive oil (or cooking oil) as needed
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, gently turn the Balmun octopus’s head inside out and carefully remove the innards. Thorough cleaning is key.
Step 2
Use scissors to neatly cut out the octopus’s eyes.
Step 3
Turn the octopus tentacles inside out to locate and squeeze out the beak, often referred to as ‘teeth’. This helps remove any remaining grit.
Step 4
Place the prepared Balmun octopus in a bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of coarse salt and knead it vigorously. This abrasive cleaning removes any lingering impurities and grit from the octopus.
Step 5
Rinse the octopus thoroughly under running water multiple times to wash away all the salt.
Step 6
Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil. Add the cleaned Balmun octopus and boil for about 5 minutes. This step tenderizes the octopus and removes any unwanted odors.
Step 7
Remove the boiled octopus from the water, let it cool slightly, then cut it into bite-sized pieces. Aim for pieces that are substantial enough to enjoy the chewy texture.
Step 8
Slice the bell peppers, zucchini, onion, and green onion into bite-sized pieces or thin strips, as preferred. Feel free to use any other vegetables you have on hand.
Step 9
Boil the udon noodles in water according to package directions, or for about 2-3 minutes until just heated through. Be careful not to overcook them, as they will continue to cook in the stir-fry.
Step 10
Immediately drain the boiled udon noodles and rinse them under cold running water to firm up the texture and remove excess starch. Drain them well in a colander to prevent sogginess in the stir-fry.
Step 11
Now, let’s stir-fry! Heat olive oil in a pan. Add the prepared vegetables (onion, bell peppers, zucchini) first, along with 1/2 tablespoon of oyster sauce, 1/2 tablespoon of minced garlic, and a pinch of black pepper. Stir-fry until the vegetables are fragrant.
Step 12
Continue stir-frying the vegetables over medium-high heat to keep them crisp-tender. Be mindful not to burn them.
Step 13
Add the prepared Balmun octopus and the drained udon noodles to the pan with the vegetables. Stir in 1/2 tablespoon of teriyaki sauce, the remaining 1/2 tablespoon of oyster sauce, 1 teaspoon of chili oil, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds if desired.
Step 14
Stir-fry everything together over high heat for about 2-3 minutes, ensuring all ingredients are well coated with the sauce. Your delicious Balmun octopus stir-fried udon is ready! Enjoy your meal!
