Spicy garlic butter udon noodles with smashed cucumber

Name: Spicy garlic butter udon noodles with smashed cucumber
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Total time: 25 minutes
Yield: Serves 2
Ingredients: 2 medium eggs; 2 x 250g packets of frozen (or fresh) udon noodles; 1 tbsp salted butter; 3 garlic cloves, very finely chopped; 1 shallot, finely chopped; 2 tbsp gochujang paste; 200ml single cream; 3 tbsp light soy sauce; 40g Parmesan, grated; 2 spring onions, thinly sliced; ½ cucumber; 1 garlic clove, very finely chopped; 1 tsp chilli flakes; 1 tbsp sesame seeds; 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar (or any clear vinegar); 1 tsp granulated sugar; 1 tbsp light soy sauce; 1 tbsp sesame oil

It’s like the spicier, creamier Asian cousin of the carbonara.

By Justin Tsang

7 August 2025

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There’s a love affair to be explored with spice and dairy, and this is the showcase for it! It’s like the spicier, creamier Asian cousin of the carbonara. Paired with the tangiest smashed cucumber (that’s right, you get to take your anger out on the cukes after a long day) and a perfectly boiled egg, it’s slurpable down to the last drop. It might just be perfect.

This recipe is an extract from Long Day? Cook This. Easy East Asian Recipes with a Twist by Justin Tsang.

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Spicy garlic butter udon noodles with smashed cucumber

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