Tips & Variations:
- Make it spicier: Add more chili to the broth or sprinkle extra chili on top for a spicy kick.
- Veggie swaps: Feel free to add or swap vegetables depending on what’s in season or what your family loves. Spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers would work great.
- Vegan option: For a vegetarian or vegan version, swap the pork for plant-based mince and use vegetable stock in place of chicken stock. You can also make the broth more robust with miso paste.
- Make-ahead: The broth and pork balls can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for 2-3 days. Just reheat the soup and add the noodles and fresh vegetables before serving.
This Pork Balls Udon Noodle Soup is the perfect balance of hearty, savoury, and fresh, making it ideal for busy weeknights or a weekend family meal. The kids will love the fun, flavourful pork balls, and everyone will enjoy the rich, warming broth with chewy udon noodles. It’s a one-pot meal that’s packed with goodness and sure to become a family favourite!
Family-Friendly Pork Balls Udon Noodle Soup
There’s something about a warm bowl of noodle soup that feels like a hug in a bowl – especially when it’s packed with flavour, healthy veggies, and delicious homemade pork balls. This Pork Balls Udon Noodle Soup is a kid-approved, family-friendly recipe that brings comfort and fun to the dinner table. With a flavorful broth, tender pork meatballs, and fresh vegetables, it’s a complete meal everyone will love.
Ingredients
For the Soup/Broth
- 1 tbsp oil
- 1 onion, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, sliced
- 1 inch piece fresh ginger, sliced
- 1 small bunch coriander (stalks chopped for the broth, leaves for garnish)
- 1.5 liters hot chicken stock (1 stock pot or cube)
- 1-2 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1-2 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1-2 tbsp sweet chili sauce
- 2 pre-cooked udon noodles (400g)
For the Pork Balls
- 400 g pork mince
- 40 g panko breadcrumbs
- 1 clove garlic, grated
- 1 tbsp milk
- 3-4 tbsp oyster sauce (reserve 1 tbsp for drizzling)
- 1 tbsp honey
For the Fresh Vegetables
- 1 pak choi, chopped
- 1 carrot, shaved with a peeler
- 1 cup fresh bean sprouts
- A bunch of coriander leaves
- Fresh chili, finely chopped (optional, for a spicy kick)
Instructions
Step 1: Make the Broth
- Start by preparing the flavorful broth. Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the sliced onion, garlic, and ginger, and cook for about 5 minutes, until they soften and release their aroma.
- Next, add the chopped coriander stalks and pour in the hot chicken stock. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 30 minutes. This will infuse the broth with all those lovely aromatic flavours.
- After 30 minutes, strain the broth to remove the solids (onion, garlic, ginger, and coriander stalks) – you should be left with a beautiful, clear broth. Stir in the light soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sweet chili sauce. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed, adding more soy or sweet chili sauce to suit your preference.
Step 2: Prepare the Pork Balls
- While the broth simmers, it’s time to make the delicious, juicy pork balls. In a bowl, combine the pork mince, panko breadcrumbs, grated garlic, milk, and 3 tbsp of oyster sauce. Mix everything together until well combined.
- Roll the mixture into golf-ball-sized meatballs and arrange them on a tray lined with parchment paper. Place the tray in a preheated oven at 180ºC (fan) or 350℉ and roast the pork balls for 15 minutes.
- While they cook, mix the remaining 1 tbsp of oyster sauce with the honey in a small bowl. After 15 minutes, drizzle this sauce over the pork balls and return them to the oven for another 5 minutes. The honey will give the meatballs a lovely glaze and slightly caramelize them, making them irresistible!
Step 3: Cook the Udon Noodles and Add the Veggies
- Once the pork balls are done, it’s time to finish off the soup. Add the pre-cooked udon noodles to the simmering broth and cook for 3-4 minutes, just until they’re heated through.
- Then, add the chopped pak choi, shaved carrot, and cooked pork balls to the pot. Let everything cook together for an additional minute to heat through and allow the flavours to develop.
Step 4: Serve and Enjoy
- Now it’s time to serve! Ladle the soup into 4 bowls, making sure each one gets a generous helping of noodles, broth, pork balls, and veggies. Top with fresh bean sprouts, coriander leaves, and a sprinkle of finely chopped fresh chili (if you like it spicy!). Serve the soup hot, and enjoy a nourishing, comforting meal with your family.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
