Description
Pepper Lunch with Udon is a quick and flavorful Japanese-inspired dish featuring thinly sliced seared beef, udon noodles, fresh vegetables, and a savory butter sauce. Cooked sizzling on a hot skillet, this meal combines tender beef with the comforting chew of udon noodles and vibrant veggies for a satisfying 20-minute dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins and Noodles
- 200g thinly sliced beef (ribeye or sirloin)
- 200g udon noodles (pre-cooked or frozen)
Vegetables
- 1 cup bean sprouts
- 1/2 cup corn kernels (fresh or canned)
- 2 tablespoons chopped green onions
Seasonings & Fats
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together all sauce ingredients (although the article does not specify, typically a blend of soy sauce, mirin, and possibly a touch of sugar or sake is used) and set aside.
- Heat the Skillet: Heat a cast iron skillet or heavy pan over medium-high heat until very hot.
- Add Oil: Add the vegetable oil to the skillet and swirl it around to coat the entire surface evenly, preventing sticking and promoting searing.
- Arrange Beef: Place the thinly sliced beef neatly around the outer edge of the skillet to allow it to sear perfectly.
- Add Noodles and Vegetables: Place the pre-cooked udon noodles in the center of the skillet, and arrange the bean sprouts and corn kernels around the noodles.
- Add Butter and Green Onions: Place the unsalted butter on top of the noodles and sprinkle the chopped green onions evenly over the entire skillet contents for added flavor.
- Season: Lightly season everything with salt and a generous amount of freshly ground black pepper to enhance taste.
- Pour Sauce: Evenly pour the prepared sauce over the entire contents in the skillet to infuse the ingredients with savory flavor.
- Sear and Caramelize: Let the dish cook undisturbed for 2 to 3 minutes to allow the beef to sear properly and the sauce to caramelize slightly, creating a delicious crust.
- Combine and Finish Cooking: Using tongs or chopsticks, stir everything together gently to combine all the ingredients and continue cooking for another 2 to 3 minutes until fully heated through.
- Serve Hot: Serve immediately while the dish is hot and sizzling in the skillet for an authentic Pepper Lunch experience.
Notes
- Use a cast iron skillet or heavy pan for best heat retention and searing.
- Pre-cooked or frozen udon noodles work well to reduce prep time.
- Adjust the seasoning with salt and black pepper to taste as the dish cooks.
- The butter added on top melts into the noodles, adding richness and depth of flavor.
- Serve immediately for the best sizzling hot presentation and taste.
- If desired, add a drizzle of soy sauce or chili flakes for extra flavor and heat.
