Creamy Mentaiko Udon Recipe😋🍜🧈
Creamy mentaiko udon made at home, and honestly it hits better than some restaurants 🤤🍜 rich, buttery, and packed with umami in every bite.
I love how you can control how much mentaiko you want and the creaminess!
✎ Ingredients:
*frozen spicy mentaiko caviar (seasoned cod roe/fish eggs)
*kewpie mayo
*1/2-1 tbsp sake
*1/2 tbsp mirin
*1 tbsp soy sauce (Japanese blue bottle works best here)
*optional- 1 tbsp unsalted butter and 2-3 tbsp heavy cream
*toppings- raw egg yolk, seaweed, green onions, turkey bacon
I didn’t really measure my mentaiko or kewpie mayo here, but you can start with 3 tbsp mentaiko and 2 tbsp kewpie mayo and adjust🤔🤔🤔
Directions:
1. In a bowl, combine mentaiko, kewpie mayo, sake, mirin, and soy sauce. Mix until you get a creamy texture all throughout.
2. Blanch udon noodles.
3. Optional- In a pan over medium-low heat, melt the butter with heavy cream, then add the udon noodles and toss for 1 minute.
4. In a bowl, add hot udon noodles, add mentaiko sauce and mix.
5. Optional- add any toppings you like.
Once you make this at home, you might not want to order it at restaurants anymore!😋
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Making creamy mentaiko udon at home is truly rewarding and surprisingly simple. One tip I’ve found is to start with moderate amounts of mentaiko and kewpie mayo, since their intensity can vary depending on the brand and seasoning. You can always adjust the flavors after mixing to suit your preference. I recommend using fresh udon noodles if available, as they hold the sauce beautifully and enhance the creamy texture. I often add a splash of sake to deepen the umami flavor, and a touch of mirin to balance the saltiness with subtle sweetness, which rounds out the dish nicely. The addition of unsalted butter and heavy cream helps create that luscious, silky sauce coating the noodles perfectly, making every bite satisfyingly rich. For toppings, I enjoy mixing it up: a raw egg yolk adds luxurious silkiness, while shredded nori seaweed, sliced green onions, or crispy turkey bacon add layers of texture and flavor that complement the creamy sauce. If you like a little extra kick, sprinkle some chili flakes or drizzle a bit of chili oil. Creamy mentaiko udon is very customizable; the spice level can be adjusted by how much mentaiko you use, and the creaminess can be controlled by the amount of mayo, butter, and cream you add. This flexibility makes it a great dish to experiment with, especially if you love Japanese flavors but want a comforting homemade bowl that's better—and more personalized—than many restaurant versions. Once you've tried this recipe, it might become a favorite go-to comfort food. Plus, it’s fantastic for those busy days when you want quick yet delicious meals. Give it a try and enjoy the rich, buttery, and umami-packed taste that creamy mentaiko udon delivers!
