My first memory of Japanese food involves udon.
My dad used to take me to an Asian market/restaurant by our house that was surprisingly authentic. We would split a vegetable croquette (Think potatoes and vegetables, deep fried. I know) and each get a noodle dish. He would always get soba noodle soup (buckwheat noodles), and for some reason, I’d get zaru udon.
Zaru udon, while delicious, literally consists of plain udon noodles with a scallions, seaweed, and delicious soy sauce-like dipping/dressing sauce.
It’s extremely simple and definitely one of the Japanese versions of buttered spaghetti– perfect kid food.
We would then get veggie sushi to go (or if we were particularly hungry, as a third course). The market has long since closed, but it definitely left some lasting marks on my life.
1) Sushi is my favorite food. Yeah, I’m a vegan. And veggie sushi is where it’s at, people. Something about avocado, sushi rice, nori, soy sauce, wasabi, and pickled ginger just does it for me.
2) My dad and I have maintained our noodle preferences throughout the years. He is a soba fan for life, and I love me some udon.
Hence this salad.
This salad is sort of the grownup version of what I used to love. Still simple, this udon salad is chilled, topped with carrots, shredded beets, and cucumber, and dressed with a creamy avocado wasabi dressing.
It’s pretty, light, and takes less than half an hour to make- so make it!
- 7 oz dry udon noodles
- ½ cup shredded carrots
- 1-2 tbsp shredded raw beet (about half a bulb)
- ¼ cup diced cucumber
- ½ avocado
- ½ avocado
- 1 tsp wasabi paste
- ½ tsp soy sauce
- ¼ tsp grated fresh ginger
- Cook udon noodles in salted water until tender.
- Drain and rinse in cold water until cool. Transfer to a large bowl.
- Add carrots, beet, and cucumber and toss.
- For dressing, combine ingredients in a food processor until smooth. Top noodles with dressing and toss to combine.
- Top each bowl with remaining avocado, sliced.
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I think my first memory of Japanese food involves udon too! and chicken teriyaki! 😛 love love love this noodle salad!!! My kinda food! and LOVE the avocado wasabi dressing!
Thanks, Alice 🙂
This noodle salad looks fantastic, Medha! Love that it’s chilled and has a zesty wasabi dressing!
Thanks, Gayle!
I love all the colors in this dish and that it holds such a special memory for you.
🙂
I think my earliest Japanese food memory is miso soup. I remember loving the little tofu bits, but picking out the slimy seaweed. Funny enough, I actually like the seaweed best now, haha. This salad looks amazing. I love cold noodle salads, especially ones inspired by Japanese flavours! Pinning for future!
Haha I loooove miso soup! And yes the seaweed is awesome 🙂 Thanks for the pin!
What a pretty dish, and food always tastes better (I think) when it has fun memories attached.
My first Japanese feed was sashimi, yep, totally hard core. I was an apprentice chef, one of the rules of the kitchen was that I try everything. We had a special Japanese Chef working with us for the evening, I remember watching as he sliced the meat straight from the fish and handed it to me, on the end of his razor sharp knife. Everything in me said #NODEAL but I wasn’t up for any Kung Fu fighting, so swallowed it whole. It was surprising delicious, and now one of my very favourite foods. LOL! 🙂
I look forward to trying your dish, the avocado wasabi dressing sounds totally delicious.
Whoa that is definitely hard core!
Love udon noodles and this salad is just perfect! So simple, too! Love how you shared your memories!
Thanks, Mira 🙂
These udon noodles look amazing!! I don’t like sushi with fish (largely because I hate fish lol) but I do love the all veggie stuff! So good!
Isn’t veggie sushi where it’s at? Thanks, Ashley!
The noodles, the avocado, the dressing, everything about this salad is perfect!
Thanks, Katalina!
Udon is my favorite also. It’s so thick and chewy and perfect! Love that you spiced up this dressing sushi style with avocado and wasabi.
Thanks, Joanne! 🙂
Love that this dish is re-created after some of your earliest memories of Japanese food. It looks absolutely delicious!! And I love the avocado in it 🙂
Thanks, Chelsea 🙂
I love udon and that dressing sounds absolutely perfect!
Thank you!
Udon are seriously the best noodles! Avocado wasabi dressing sounds perfect with them!
It totally is!
Oh delish! I love noodle dishes, this looks just lovely!
🙂
This noodle salad is gorgeous, girl! I’m sorry that your favorite little store closed, but you sure have kept it alive with this dish! I love the shredded beets in here!
Thanks, Rachelle!
I love dishes that hold special memories! This look so amazing, Medha! I love the fact that it comes together quickly, perfect for a busy weeknight.
Exactly!
Yum, I love anything with udon. My favorite Japanese dish is the yakisoba; it’s full of flavor! Also, anything with avocado and cucumber is a win for me.
I LOVE yakisoba (and yaki…udon haha 🙂 ) Thanks, Linda!
Avocado sushi, be still my heart! Chilled noodle dishes like this make my world go ’round Medha and you nailed this recipe. Are you a takeout chef as well as a blogger?? 😉 Because I want some of this stat!
Not yet! I rely on takeout a little too much myself 🙂
Beaaaauuuutiful! I love the veggies and avo with these luscious noodles! If we’re ever visiting each other’s neck of the woods, let’s get some killer vegan sushi and noods, deal? Deal!
Um, absolutely! Let me know if you’re ever in DC when I’m back from school 🙂
My kid loves udon and I usually have some in the freezer. It’s only recently I’ve come to love soba. This really looks delicious – the cold style of eating and that avocado wasabi dressing sounds like a great way to enjoy udon in the summer!
Thanks, Monica!
This looks delicious! I love the flavors and how bright this dish is! Very enticing and pretty! Will have to give this recipe a try. 🙂 Thanks for sharing! I love all types of sushi.
Let me know if you try it 🙂
Medha, I’m totally in the udon camp, too and this salad looks CRAZY delicious! Especially that dressing–I’m drooling on my keyboard over here 🙂
Thanks, Amy!
Okay, YES! Udon noodles are one of my favorite things in the world. They are so delicious and simple yet perfect all at the same time. This recipe looks incredible. We will definitely be trying it! =)
LMK if you do try 🙂
THIS is totally happening in my kitchen with spaghetti squash!!! VERY VERY soon! 😀
Thanks, Gigi!
That deep-fried vegetable cake thingie sounds so good! And I love udon noodles. This salad is perfect!
Thanks, Mir 🙂
Oh that dressing sounds divine!
It totally is!
What a great noodle salad, and that miso avocado dressing is to die for!
Thanks!
Such wonderful memories of you and your dad 🙂 Love these udon noodles! They sound amazing with the avocado and wasabi dressing in this salad!
Thanks, Kelly!
Yes! This is such a great salad for the end of summer!
Thank you!
I have never even tried udon noodles, clearly I am missing out because they look and sound incredible! yum!
They are!
This looks amazing. I bet it’s yummy!
Thanks, Theresa 🙂
I’ve never tried udon before but this version sounds incredible! The avocado wasabi dressing…mmmm. 🙂
I love the story behind it too. Such a sweet memory of you and your father!
Thanks 🙂
I’ve never made udon noodles and that needs to change. This dish looks so delicious and I love the sound of that avocado wasabi dressing!
Thank you 🙂
Oh wow, the colours in this dish are amazing! Love this combo and added avocado. Thanks for sharing – Pinned 😀
Thanks for pinning!
I’ve never had udon before, but I think I need to try it! Looks delicious!
Thank you!
Food which has memories attached always tastes that much better, thanks for sharing!
Definitely, thanks 🙂
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