Green Tea Broth with Udon Noodles Mark Bittman

Elevate your noodle night with Mark Bittman’s Green Tea Broth with Udon Noodles—a light yet satisfying dish that’s brimming with bold, umami-rich flavors. This unique recipe combines the earthy depth of green tea with soy sauce, fragrant ginger, and a hint of sweetness from optional mirin to create a soothing, nutrient-packed broth. Perfectly paired with chewy udon noodles, tender tofu, and vibrant baby spinach, it’s garnished with toasted nori strips, scallions, a drizzle of sesame oil, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for a stunning finish. Ready in just 30 minutes, this wholesome, Japanese-inspired dish is both comforting and elegant—a must-try for lovers of quick, healthy, and savory meals.

Nutriscore Rating: 74/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 pieces Green tea bags
• 6 cups Water
• 2 tablespoons Soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon Mirin (optional, for sweetness)
• 1 inch piece Fresh ginger, thinly sliced
• 12 ounces Udon noodles (fresh or dried)
• 2 cups Baby spinach
• 2 pieces Scallions, thinly sliced
• 1 teaspoon Sesame oil
• 8 ounces Tofu (firm, cubed)
• 1 sheet Nori (toasted seaweed sheets), cut into strips
• 1 tablespoon Sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Bring 6 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan.

Step 2

Remove the saucepan from the heat and steep the green tea bags in the hot water for 5 minutes. Discard the tea bags.

Step 3

Return the pot to low heat and add the soy sauce, mirin (if using), and sliced ginger. Simmer gently for 5 minutes to infuse the broth with flavor.

Step 4

Meanwhile, cook the udon noodles according to package instructions. If using dried noodles, cook them in boiling water until tender, then drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking.

Step 5

Add the tofu cubes to the green tea broth and simmer for 3 minutes to warm them through.

Step 6

Add the baby spinach to the broth and cook for 1 minute, or until wilted.

Step 7

Divide the cooked udon noodles among serving bowls.

Step 8

Ladle the hot green tea broth over the noodles, ensuring an even distribution of tofu and spinach.

Step 9

Top each bowl with scallions, a drizzle of sesame oil, strips of nori, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds (if using).

Step 10

Serve immediately and enjoy the light, umami-rich flavors of the green tea broth with udon noodles.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2181.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1024.4

Total Fat 37.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 5.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.9g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 1305.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 111.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 12.6g	0%
Total Sugars 12.2g
Protein 56.8g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1092.3mg	0%
Iron 18.1mg	0%
Potassium 897.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 33.5%

Protein: 22.4%

Carbs: 44.1%