There’s something deeply comforting about a bowl of noodles. The way fresh ingredients come together seamlessly and balances flavor and texture. This dish of pork, tofu, and udon noodles is no exception—a recipe rooted in layers of tradition, yet adaptable for modern kitchens. Best of all, it barely takes time to put together! 

This comforting bowl, inspired by Sichuan flavors, brings together savory pork mince with the subtle sweetness of mirin, the depth of miso, and the spicy tang of doubanjiang. Firm tofu soaks in the flavors while providing balance to the rich sauce, and udon noodles complete the dish, creating the kind of meal that warms you from the inside out as the days start to get chilly late in the summer.

Whether you’re preparing this for a quiet evening at home or sharing with loved ones, this dish offers comfort, warmth, and a reminder of how simple ingredients can come together to create something truly memorable. You can also make this dish with other ground meat of your choice, and even vegetarian mince too. To keep things traditional, we are using pork. 

Mapo Tofu Udon Recipe 

Ingredients

• 300 grams of pork mince
• 100 grams of firm tofu, cubed
• 1 pack of udon noodles (cook first if frozen)
• 2  teaspoons of garlic, finely chopped or minced
• 1 teaspoon of ginger, finely chopped or minced
• 3 tablespoons of soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons doubanjiang (Chinese black bean sauce)
• 2 tablespoons of white miso paste
• 2 tablespoons of mirin
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch / cornflour
• ¼ cup cold water
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil for cooking
• 1 spring onion to garnish

Steps

1. Heat a medium saucepan or wok over high heat, and add your vegetable oil. When hot, stir in the garlic and ginger, letting them release their fragrance—about a minute is all you need.

2. Add the pork mince to the pan and stir fry until browned, breaking up the meat as it cooks to ensure even browning.

3. Now, mix in soy sauce, doubanjiang, miso paste, mirin, oyster sauce, and sesame oil. Stir well to coat the pork mince in this rich, savory mixture. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with cold water to form a slurry, then pour into the pork mixture. Stir until the sauce begins to thicken.

4. Gently add the tofu and cooked udon noodles, stirring carefully to prevent the tofu from breaking apart. Let the noodles soften in the sauce for about 30 seconds, absorbing the rich flavors. Transfer to serving bowls and garnish with finely sliced green onions, adding a fresh bite to this warming, flavorful dish.

Whether you’re craving comfort or a touch of adventure, this dish delivers on both. We hope you enjoy this as much as we do!