A Cozy 20-Minute Wonder: Spiced Tomato & Butter Udon Soup

Some nights, especially when the chill of winter really settles in, you need a meal that delivers deep comfort, and you need it fast. That’s when I turn to this recipe—my secret weapon for a 20-minute journey to pure, soupy bliss. Let me be clear: this is not your traditional udon, and that’s precisely what makes it so magical. We’re talking about a rich, velvety tomato broth, deepened with fragrant ginger and garlic, and made unbelievably luscious with a swirl of butter at the end. It’s then scented with the warm, exotic whispers of cinnamon and star anise. It sounds unexpected, I know, but trust me on this one.

I stumbled upon this combination on a night when my pantry was sparse but my craving for something warm and satisfying was huge. The result was a revelation. It’s a fusion of flavors that just works, creating a soup that is savory, aromatic, and so incredibly comforting. The thick, chewy udon noodles are the perfect, slurp-able vehicle for this incredible broth. This is the dish that proves a truly spectacular and cozy meal doesn’t need to take all evening to prepare.

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Why This Speedy Soup is a Winter Must-Have

You are going to fall in love with the unique, complex flavor you can build in just 20 minutes. It’s a true kitchen hack. Here’s why:

• A 20-Minute Weeknight Miracle: This is the definition of a fast, flavorful meal. From start to finish, you can have a steaming, gourmet-tasting bowl of soup on the table in no time.
• A Unique and Unforgettable Broth: The combination of buttery tomato with warm spices like cinnamon and star anise creates a deeply fragrant and savory broth that is unlike any other.
• Built Entirely from Pantry Staples: With ingredients like tomato paste, broth, and dried spices, this is the perfect recipe for a satisfying meal when you haven’t had time to go shopping.
• The Ultimate Cozy Comfort Bowl: The rich, warm broth and the thick, chewy udon noodles make this the perfect dish to curl up with on a cold winter night.
• Effortlessly Elegant: Despite its simplicity, this soup has a sophisticated flavor profile that makes it impressive enough to serve to guests.

Recipe Snapshot

Your Pantry Shopping List

This impressive soup comes together with a handful of simple but powerful ingredients, many of which you may already have.

→ For the Aromatic Broth

• 1 tablespoon neutral oil → Such as canola or avocado oil.
• 1 tablespoon each of garlic paste & ginger paste → A great time-saver! You can also use finely minced fresh garlic and ginger.
• ¼ cup unsalted tomato paste → This provides a deep, concentrated, savory tomato foundation.
• 4 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth → The flavorful liquid base of our soup.
• 1 (3-inch) cinnamon stick & 3 whole star anise → The secret weapons for that warm, fragrant, exotic aroma.
• 1 teaspoon black peppercorns → For a gentle, floral heat.
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter → Cut into pieces. This is the key to the rich, velvety finish!
• 2 teaspoons fish sauce → Adds a crucial, savory depth of flavor (umami).

→ For the Noodles & Garnish

• 9 ounces fresh udon noodles → The thick, chewy texture is perfect here. You can find these in the refrigerated section.
• 4 teaspoons toasted sesame oil → A non-negotiable finishing touch for its nutty aroma.
• ¼ cup thinly sliced scallions → For a fresh, sharp, oniony bite.
• 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds → For a final crunch and nutty flavor.

Let’s Make Soup! Your 20-Minute Guide

Ready for the fastest, most flavorful soup of the season? Let’s get started.

Part 1: The Fragrant 10-Minute Broth

1. Bloom the Aromatics: Heat the canola oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and ginger pastes and cook, stirring constantly, for about 1 minute until they are very fragrant.
2. Toast the Tomato Paste: Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring constantly, for another minute. The paste will darken slightly in color—this step cooks out the raw taste and deepens its flavor.
3. Simmer the Broth: Stir in the chicken broth, cinnamon stick, star anise, and peppercorns. Cover the pot, bring it to a boil over high heat, then immediately reduce the heat to maintain a steady simmer. Let it simmer for 10 minutes to infuse the broth with all the wonderful spices.
4. The Buttery Finish: Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the pieces of butter and the fish sauce, whisking gently until the butter has completely melted and the broth is smooth and luscious.

Part 2: Cook the Noodles and Serve

5. Cook the Udon: While the broth is simmering, bring a separate large pot of water to a boil. Cook the fresh udon noodles according to the package directions (this usually only takes a few minutes!). Drain them well.
6. Assemble the Bowls: Divide the hot, cooked noodles among four shallow bowls.
7. Serve and Garnish: Ladle about 1 cup of the hot, fragrant broth over the noodles in each bowl. Drizzle each serving with 1 teaspoon of toasted sesame oil, and finish with a generous sprinkle of sliced scallions and toasted sesame seeds. Serve immediately!

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Udon Noodle Soup with Spiced Tomato-Butter Broth

This cozy 20-minute Udon Noodle Soup is a weeknight miracle! A rich, buttery tomato broth is deeply infused with fragrant ginger, cinnamon, and star anise, then ladled over perfectly chewy udon noodles. A unique and comforting one-pot meal.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Course: Dinner, Main Course, Soup

Cuisine: Asian-Inspired, Fusion

Calories: 385

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 tablespoon neutral oil, such as canola or avocado
• 1 tablespoon garlic paste
• 1 tablespoon ginger paste
• 1/4 cup unsalted tomato paste
• 4 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 1 (3-inch) cinnamon stick
• 3 whole star anise
• 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• 2 teaspoons fish sauce
• 9 ounces fresh udon noodles
• 4 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
• 1/4 cup thinly sliced scallions
• 1 teaspoon toasted white or black sesame seeds

Equipment

• Medium Saucepan
• Large pot for noodles
• Whisk
• Ladle

Method

 

1. Heat canola oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add garlic paste and ginger paste; cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 1 minute.
2. Add tomato paste; cook, stirring constantly, until slightly darkened, about 1 minute.
3. Stir in broth, cinnamon stick, star anise and peppercorns. Cover, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to maintain a simmer for 10 minutes.
4. Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the butter and fish sauce, whisking until the butter is completely melted.
5. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the udon noodles according to package directions. Drain well.
6. Divide the cooked noodles among 4 shallow bowls. Ladle about 1 cup of the hot broth over each.
7. Drizzle each bowl with 1 teaspoon of toasted sesame oil and sprinkle with sliced scallions and sesame seeds. Serve immediately.

Notes

Bloom the Pastes: Toasting the ginger, garlic, and tomato pastes in the hot oil before adding liquid is a crucial step that unlocks their deep, aromatic flavors.

Finish Off-Heat: Stirring the butter in at the end, after removing the pot from the heat, creates a richer, more emulsified, and velvety broth.

Make Ahead: For best results, store the broth and cooked noodles in separate containers in the refrigerator. Reheat the broth and pour it over the noodles to serve.

WiseRecipes’ Top Tips for a Perfect Bowl of Soup

These simple secrets will ensure your 20-minute soup is a flawless, flavorful triumph.

1. Toast Your Tomato Paste. This is a classic chef’s technique that makes a huge difference. Cooking the tomato paste in the hot oil for a minute before adding liquids removes its raw, tinny taste and creates a much deeper, sweeter, and more complex tomato flavor.
2. Use Fresh Udon Noodles. If you can find them, the fresh, vacuum-packed udon noodles have a superior chewy, plump texture that is absolutely perfect for this soup. They cook in just a few minutes.
3. Stir the Butter in Off the Heat. For the richest, most velvety finish, add the butter after you’ve removed the pot from the heat. This allows it to emulsify into the broth, making it creamy, rather than just melting into an oily layer on top.
4. Don’t Skip the Finishing Oils and Garnishes! The final drizzle of toasted sesame oil and the sprinkle of fresh scallions are not just for looks. They are crucial flavor components that add a nutty aroma and a fresh, sharp bite that completes the dish.
5. For a Clearer Broth… If you prefer a very clear broth without the whole spices, you can pour the finished broth through a fine-mesh sieve before ladling it over the noodles to remove the peppercorns and any small bits.

Keep It Cozy! Storing and Reheating

This soup is best enjoyed fresh, but you can prep ahead and store leftovers with a simple trick.

• Storage: For the best results, store the broth and the cooked noodles in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Storing them together will cause the noodles to absorb all the broth and become mushy.
• Reheating: Gently reheat the broth in a saucepan on the stovetop until hot. Place the cold noodles in a bowl and pour the hot broth over them to warm them up, or briefly dip the noodles in boiling water before adding them to the bowls.

FAQs: Your Udon Soup Questions, Answered!

Can I use dried udon noodles?

Yes, absolutely! Just cook them according to the package directions. They will take a bit longer to cook than the fresh kind, but will still be delicious.

Can I make this soup vegetarian or vegan?

Easily! To make it vegetarian, simply substitute the chicken broth with a flavorful vegetable broth. To make it vegan, do the same and substitute the unsalted butter with a high-quality vegan butter or a flavorful finishing oil.

Can I add protein or more vegetables to this?

Of course! This is a fantastic base. You could add some leftover shredded rotisserie chicken, some quick-cooking shrimp, or a soft-boiled egg on top for extra protein. For vegetables, some sautéed mushrooms or wilted spinach would be delicious additions to the bowl.

Is this recipe spicy?

No, this recipe is fragrant and savory, not spicy. The serrano chile adds a very mild background warmth. For a true spicy kick, you can add a swirl of sriracha or chili oil to your bowl just before serving.

Final Thoughts: Your New Favorite Fast Comfort Meal

There is nothing more satisfying than creating a meal that tastes complex, sophisticated, and deeply comforting, all in the time it takes to watch a single sitcom. This Spiced Tomato & Butter Udon Soup is a perfect example of smart, modern cooking that delivers a huge flavor payoff with minimal effort. It’s a dish that will surprise and delight you, and I hope it becomes your new secret weapon for a cozy night in. Happy Cooking!