Kare Udon (Curry Udon Soup)
by fattydumpling
I think that I might just be a homebody.
Well, I’m either a homebody or I’m just plain lazy.
When I mentioned my revelations to a friend, he asked, “Are you actually a homebody, or do you just not like leaving home and doing things outside by yourself?” Oooo. More questions ensue.
Am I afraid of being by myself? Should I go out more? Should I go out with the goal of meeting people? Why am I indoors baking and reading when I could be out enjoying festivals and the city? When was the last time I saw the sun’s marvellous, beautiful face? Should I be out and partying and clubbing like the rest of the world’s college population?
Naw.
There’s no need to worry, fatty dumpling, dear, you are happy in your place. And you said hello to Ra yesterday. When you feel like it, you can burrow out of your nest and have tea with the moon and her daughters. With biscuits and strawberries and cream. Oh my, drool.
One nice thing about being indoors sometimes is the ability of being near a kitchen and cooking something as comforting as a bowl of kare udon, a Japanese curry udon noodle soup. And dang, is it tasty.
Do you know any painstakingly truthful people? My parents share nicely blunt opinions about my cooking. When they don’t like it, they’ll happily tell you why it’s disgusting and how to improve it. Imagine my happiness and joy when they said that they liked my kare udon.
This recipe comes from earthrunner, a lovely Japanese lady living in America. I mention the fact that she is Japanese because when I found out, my head exploded in fireworks—“Manga! Gothic Lolita! Hostess clubs! Seppuku! Japanese culture! Her Japanese food must be authentic and delicious!” Too much pressure? No pressure, love. This kare udon has a nice savoury broth, good chunks of veggies, and slippery udon noodles. It’s just the thing to enjoy with nice peeps and family. It’s great in the summer, but would probably be beautiful in the winter. With rice too.
I like slurping the thick noodles. I’m glad that in my culture, loud slurping means that I’m enjoying my food. I’ll just do that at home though because I’m afraid of getting funny looks from strangers. Hmm. Perhaps I’m a homebody because strangers scare me.
Fatty Dumpling 
I spent several weeks in Japan back in my college days and MAN did I love the slurping. My Japanese friend helped me come out of my culture shell so I was eventually happily slurping right along with everyone else. Good times.
-Abby
Oh, and by the way, this dish looks delicious. Now I just need some time to cook…one of these days…
-Abby
I am a homebody, yup loveing being in my comfy clothes all day tinkerin gin the kitchenor reading with my girls..I love your soup and slurping is all the rage in my house!lol
sweetlife
My life became so much nicer when I found out you’re allowed to slurp in Japanese restaurants when you eat noodles. I’m very self conscious about those sorts of things. It was very freeing.
That udon looks soooooo good! Very healthy.
i don’t like your slurping, tina! rahrahrah!
but this curry was goooood. i esp liked the big chunks of potato. and this was the first time we (i think we, but def. i) ate udon noodles that wasn’t already cooked and then vacuum… packaged… (or whatever?). it was yummy…
Oooh, you made a Japanese curry thingy! How does it differ from other curries? I want to make a curry a week from different parts of the world once I’m back in Farmtown. It looks yummay ;).
~Kurious Kitteh
Well if you’re a homebody, I’m right there with you too! Nothing wrong with that ;)
Kare udon is so wonderful, but I’ve never made it for myself and thus haven’t had it in years. Thanks for the reminder, I’ll have to whip up a bowl when the weather finally cools off.
your pictures are so gorgeous i want to date them.
Hi there :) I am not sure if you saw that I replied to your comment you left on my site. Thank you so much for your sweet note :)
Your udon looks million times better!
Abby: That sounds so awesome, spending time in Japan! Haha, I wonder what it would be like for someone from an Asian culture coming into ours. Hmnn. My parents still slurp no matter their location. Ahah, one of these days…
sweetlife: I like how you’ve written that, “tinkering in the kitchen or reading with my girls”, it makes you sound like a sweet experimenter, creating surprises in your kitchen ;]
Mimi: Haha! It is indeed very freeing, not having to be conscious of how we’re eating, especially since it’s a sign of enjoyment anyways–and we are enjoying ourselves! I can eat like I did when I was a kid: using my chopping sticks to shovel food into my mouth. As a kid, I never really knew how to cut the noodles short so I always ended up with a major mouthful. Yeea,veggie power.
shewhosleepswithstars: That is why I slurp even louder when I see your grimace and gags, dear ;] Yeah! The potatoes rocked! Potatoes are awesome. I think yesterday, you roasted 3 or 4 potatoes for snacks on two different occasions?
kuriouskitteh: That is cool! To make a curry from different parts of the world! I didn’t realize that there are curries from all over, ahah. This particular curry is more like a stew in comparison to other curries–almost a soup even, especially since you’d eat it with rice or noodles. Tastewise…it’s Asian-y? HAHA. It’s not yellow, that’s a difference ;p
BitterSweet: Mmmm, yes, it is tasty. You’ve brought up a thought, though, I’d like to try out what it tastes like when it is served at a restaurant. Or at a side stall like in the comics that I read and watch, ahah.
mindfuckdaily: I know the foods, I can set you up! Yea yo, that’s what friends do, help you even if they know that it might not work out…like, one partner might rot away…
Brie: Oooo, I’m gonna check it out now, and your welcome ;] And toohoo, I think that for somethings, photos manage to capture it nicely, and then we forget what it looked like before photography…
made this today ! although i added the extra cup of water and that kind of diluted the taste, it was stilll goooood and really really simple :) the udon nooodle tastes great with it (y)