
In this beef teriyaki udon dish, the slices of beef are stir-fried after first being marinated for 30 minutes. Then, carrots and mushrooms are added along with the udon noodles. Then, the teriyaki sauce is poured over. The result is a very satisfying dish that we can’t get enough of. Enjoy!

Cooking Tips for Perfect Beef Teriyaki Udon
To get the most flavor out of your beef teriyaki udon, start by choosing the right cut of beef. Flank steak or sirloin works well because they are tender and cook quickly. Slice the beef against the grain for maximum tenderness. Marinating the beef is essential, so don’t skip this step. A simple mix of soy sauce, mirin, sugar, and garlic can elevate the flavor significantly. If you have time, marinate the beef for up to an hour to really infuse those flavors. When stir-frying, make sure your pan is hot. This helps to sear the beef quickly, locking in juices and creating a nice texture. Also, avoid overcrowding the pan to ensure even cooking. For the udon noodles, cook them just until tender, then drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. This prevents them from becoming mushy when you toss them with the sauce later on. Lastly, add the teriyaki sauce towards the end of cooking to keep its rich flavor intact.
Serving Suggestions and Variations
Beef teriyaki udon is versatile and can be served in many ways. For a complete meal, consider pairing it with a side of steamed broccoli or a simple cucumber salad. This adds a fresh crunch that balances the richness of the dish. If you like a bit of heat, sprinkle some red pepper flakes or drizzle sriracha over your serving. For a vegetarian option, replace the beef with tofu or tempeh, marinating them in the same teriyaki sauce. You can also add more vegetables like bell peppers, snap peas, or bok choy for extra color and nutrition. If you want to switch things up even more, try using different noodles such as soba or rice noodles. Each noodle type brings its own texture and flavor, making it a fun way to experiment. Finally, don’t forget to garnish your dish with sesame seeds or green onions for that finishing touch. These small additions can really enhance the overall presentation and taste.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I substitute for sake in the marinade?
If you don’t have sake, you can use dry sherry or even white wine as a substitute. Just keep in mind that it might slightly alter the flavor, but it’ll still work well.
How should I store leftovers?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. When you’re ready to eat, just reheat in a pan or microwave until warmed through.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
You can prep the beef and marinate it ahead of time, which makes cooking quick and easy later. Just be sure to cook the udon noodles fresh right before serving for the best texture.
What vegetables can I add to this dish?
Feel free to mix in other veggies like bell peppers, snap peas, or broccoli. Just make sure to cut them into similar sizes so they cook evenly with the beef and noodles.
What’s a common mistake to avoid when making udon?
Overcooking the udon noodles is a common mistake, so keep an eye on them and drain them as soon as they’re tender. Rinsing them under cold water helps stop the cooking process and keeps them from getting mushy.
Beef Teriyaki Udon
Ingredients
- 20 oz 574g sliced beef rib steak or sirloin tip steak
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp sake
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 200 g Udon noodles
- ½ cup finely julienned carrots
- ½ cup sliced mushrooms
- Green onions chopped for garnish (optional)
- Roasted sesame seeds optional
Teriyaki sauce
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup sake
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup mirin
- 1 tsp cornstarch dissolved in 1 tbsp water
Instructions
- Marinate the beef with 2 tbsp of soy sauce and 2 tbsp of sake for 30 minutes.
- Cook the udon noodles according to the directions on the package. Drain and set aside.
- In a non-stick pan or skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the beef and stir fry for 4-8 minutes or until liquid from the marinade had almost evaporated and the beef is browned.
- Add the carrots and mushrooms and sauté for an additional 1-2 minutes.
- Stir in the cooked udon noodles. Transfer to a plate.
- In a small saucepan, combine the soy sauce, sake, brown sugar and mirin. Let boil, then add cornstarch mixture, stir and cook until thick.
- Pour the sauce over the noodles and cooked beef and sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions, if using.
- Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition

This was DELICIOUS!!!! I learned a technique also from Chinese You Tube channel how to make beef more tender. This is great for a family meal too. Will make again.
What was the technique?? Can you post a link?
I made this receipt but for whatever reason, the noodles were a tad mushy. I followed the instructions, and sauteed them straight from the package. Any suggestions?
My suggestion is to cook the udon noodles in boiling water until al dente. Drain the noodles and later on stir it in with the meat and vegetables.
I added more lite soy sauce a tablespoon more brown sugar and Himalayan salt and fresh ground black pepper corn to taste. Was just right after.
HI Liza.
What type of sake did you use? Where can i buy it?
Thanks
Hi Eleanor,
I used cooking sake for this recipe. You can buy it at any Japanese or Asian grocery store.
I couldn’t find sake at the asian store. Can I use mirin instead? Thanks
You can use dry sherry or Chinese rice wine in place of sake.
Is it okay to use ready made teriyaki sauce (in a bottle) instead of making it this way?
Hi Maria,
Yes, you can use store bought teriyaki sauce for this recipe.
Thank you very much:)
This was really good! Made it for dinner tonight. 10 out of 10 will make again!
Awesome!
Hi! I really want to make this recipe but don’t have & can’t get any sake! Would this work without or can you suggest an alternative?
Thank you!
Hi Sarah, you can use dry sherry in place of sake.
Hi Liza,
I made this tonight and it was delicious.
I followed the recipe exactly, but it was a little too sweet for me.
What would I need to adjust in the recipe, so it’s not as sweet?
Thanks!
Hi Brian,
You may reduce the amount of brown sugar in the sauce if you found this dish too sweet. You may use 2 tablespoons of sugar instead of 1/4 cup. Hope this helps!
Thank you Liza! I thought maybe I bought the wrong sake ha ha! I’ll be making it again soon and will use less brown sugar.
You’re welcome! Take care 🙂
I generally never post about anything, but I had too with this one. Absolutely delicious!!!. Would definitely recommend.
So glad you liked it!! Take care and thanks for writing :0