Simplify the following text for a Grade 8 native English-speaking person.
Original: Though hÅ tÅ is commonly recognized as a variant of udon , locals do not consider it to be an udon dish because the dough is prepared in the style of dumplings rather than noodles .
Simplified: Though hÅ tÅ is a type of udon , locals do not consider it to be an udon dish because the dough is prepared like dumplings rather than noodles .