Asian Fusion Chicken Meatballs with Spicy Udon Noodles
An Asian fusion recipe that combines Japanese udon noodles with Thai seasoned chicken meatballs. They are all cooked in a spicy, sweet and salty peanut sauce with just the right amount of heat. The flavorful ginger chicken meatballs are juicy and the spicy Japanese udon noodles are amazing.
Asian fusion is one of the trendy cooking styles recently. While I don’t think of myself as trendy, I do like to experiment and branch out a little. While shopping, I discovered a package of precooked refrigerated Japanese udon noodles next to wonton wrappers at our market. I decided to create a meal with elements from several cooking styles. I mixed Thai and Japanese ingredients in a meatball and noodle dish that is more innovative than conventional.
If you ever peruse the Asian noodle section at your market, you will see a confusing amount to choose from. There are many options available from dried, refrigerated and even fresh frozen. I used udon noodles that are thick, white, and slightly chewy wheat-based noodles that originated in Japan. They are commonly served hot in soup dishes or stir-fries. The sauce and meatballs are seasoned with ingredients most often used in Thai cuisine.
I love these healthy chicken meatballs because they are a lower fat choice. You can, however, use ground pork or turkey. You can either pan sauté them or bake them. They will be just as delicious. I served the meatballs with udon noodles but they would be great with rice noodles or even spaghetti. You can also pair the meatballs with just about any starch. They are great with vegetables like broccoli or snow peas. This recipe is very easy to personalize to your own taste.
Asian Fusion Chicken Meatballs With Spicy Udon Noodles
Chicken Meatballs
- 1 lb. ground chicken
- 1/2 medium onion, minced fine
- 1 Tbsp. grated fresh ginger
- 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 1 tsp. lemon grass paste (I use Gourmet Garden)
- 1 Tbsp. tamari sauce (I use San-J)
- 1 tsp. sesame oil
- 1 tsp. sriracha (your favorite hot sauce can be substituted)
- 2 tsp. cornstarch
- Mix all the meatball ingredients together just until combined. Form them into small balls about 1 to 1 1/2 inch in size.
- Heat 2 Tbsp. peanut oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat until shimmering and add the meatballs.
- Cook, turning gently, on all sides until cooked through, about 8 – 10 min. (The meatballs can also be quickly browned and finished in a 350 degree oven for about 10 minutes). Remove and transfer to a clean plate.
Udon Noodles
- 8 – 12 oz. pkg. refrigerated udon noodles (any other noodle can be substituted)
- 1/2 c. chicken broth
- 3 Tbsp. soy sauce
- 1 1/2 tsp. rice wine vinegar
- 2 tsp. toasted sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp. chili garlic sauce, or more (based on spice tolerance)
- 1 Tbsp. sweet chili sauce
- 3 Tbsp. natural style peanut butter
- 1 Tbsp. peanut or vegetable oil
- 1 red bell pepper, seeded and sliced into matchsticks
- 1 Tbsp. grated ginger
- 3 scallions, sliced on a diagonal and separated, save green tops for garnish
- 1 Tbsp. chopped basil
- Cook the noodles in a pot of boiling water according to package directions then drain. Place in a bowl and toss with 1 Tbsp. oil to prevent sticking.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the broth, soy sauce, and vinegar. Add sesame oil, garlic sauce, sweet chili sauce, and peanut butter. After mixing, set aside.
- Heat the peanut oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the red pepper and ginger then cook, stirring often, until tender crisp. Add the sauce and the meatballs and simmer until the meatballs are coated. Taste, adjust the seasoning, if necessary.
- Add the noodles and scallions then cook until sauce is absorbed, about 2 – 3 minutes. If sauce is too thick, add 1-2 Tbsp. hot water as needed, to loosen the sauce so it coats the noodles well. Add the basil and once the basil has wilted, it’s done.
- Transfer to plates or bowls. Serve garnished with scallions and crushed red pepper flakes.
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You can find lots of different noodles in an Asian supermarket. They would no doubt be delicious coated in this nutty sauce. This time I used udon noodles with ginger chicken meatballs in a sweet yet a bit spicy sauce. I think that you can definitely call this an Asian fusion dish. So maybe I did create a trendy dish after all.
Such a mouthwatering meal! I like Thai food.
angiesrecipes
http://angiesrecipes.blogspot.com
More meatballs and that looks like a delicous recipe – fabulous!
Love the idea of serving this with meatballs.
Sounds delicious, Karen. I’ve been learning some Chinese dishes lately, and one of my favorite pastimes has been to explore our local Chinese and other Asian supermarkets. So much to discover and learn about, not least the vast assortment of fresh and dry noodles!
A tasty looking mash up!
This sounds wonderful Karen!
Jenna
sounds delicious. you can do anything if it tastes good
Wow, that looks delicious!
“Asian fusion” at its’ best! 🙂
I adore udon but usually just stick to soup. This would be a delightful way to shake up the dinner routine!
Another magnificent meatball – and trendy to boot.
I love these recipes that combine ingredients and techniques from different places.
Sounds delish and right up my alley. Hubb’s the cook right now and he loves trying new fusion Asian recipes so I’m giving to pass this onto him! Thanks for the inspiration. 😊
I am salivating over this bowl of noodles. Nothing I love better than chubby, chewy noodles like this. Add in the meatballs, and I am in total heaven.
I love chicken meatballs and turkey meatballs! There’s just something about a meatball isn’t there?
cheers
sherry https://sherryspickings.blogspot.com/
These meatballs sound delicious Karen – of course it helps that I am a big meatball fan and I love Asian cuisine. I have more recipes than I care to admit and will definitely add your version to my collection 🙂
This is right up my alley. I love meatballs with an Asian touch. Once I home. I might have to try out this recipe.
I love udon noodles and this dish looks very inviting!
Our student farmer market has beautiful lemongrass, so I definitely want to make this soon. Delicious flavors!
You know we are all about this recipe – Love udon noodles! The delicious sweet, sour, spicy and savory flavors of Thai cuisine – I bet make this recipe sing. Healthy World Cuisine
Great flavor combination! Looks like a very tasty meal.
I love fusion recipes, when different cuisines meet each other in one dish. And this one perfectly fits the bill – such delicious meatballs and hearty noodles, all together looking so tempting and inviting!
Made this last night, and it was very good. And, just so you know how much of a commitment that was: I HATE grating ginger.
The only issue I had was that the meatballs pretty much disintegrated when I stirred in the noodles. I deviated from the recipe, in that I baked them only (no frying), which might have been the problem. I’ll probably add some milk-soaked bread next time.
Joe
Looks and sounds like a great meal Karen.
A fabulous recipe! Love the meatballs and the noodles! Wow!
Asian fusion is one of my favourite ways to cook. You have captured the perfect combination of Asian flavours. So fresh and mouth watering. We have an incredible number of Asian grocery stores and to be honest, I have to use my phone to translate most of what they carry. The suggestions you have made in the ingredient listings are useful, thank you. Have you considered using Thai basil? It is a little more licorice-like flavour than Italian basil and lends itself perfectly to Asian cuisine.
Love these flavors! I want this for dinner tonight. (lisaiscooking)
This Asian fusion recipe sounds absolutely delicious! Combining Japanese udon noodles with Thai seasoned chicken meatballs in a spicy peanut sauce is such a creative twist. I love how versatile the dish is, allowing for so many ingredient substitutions and pairings. It’s definitely a great way to explore different flavors while keeping it healthy. I can’t wait to try making this at home!
This sounds like something that I would love to order at a restaurant. I’d love to be able to make it, so thanks for the recipe!
Wow, this Asian fusion recipe sounds incredible! I love how you’ve combined Japanese udon noodles with Thai flavors in those chicken meatballs.
My (grown up) kids would love this and it’s so tough to please everyone. I’m going to have to file this away for the time between Christmas and New Year’s when everyone is home!