Cold Soba Noodle Bowl with Dipping Sauce
A refreshing and light Japanese-inspired noodle bowl featuring chilled buckwheat noodles (soba), crisp vegetables, and a savory dipping sauce. Perfect for a quick and healthy meal for two.
Make the dipping sauce
In a small saucepan, combine 1/2 cup water or dashi (Japanese broth, use vegetable broth for vegan), 1/4 cup soy sauce (use tamari for gluten-free), 2 tablespoons mirin (sweet Japanese cooking wine), 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 teaspoon granulated sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon grated fresh ginger. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer (cook gently just below boiling, with small bubbles) over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to blend. Remove from heat and let the sauce cool completely. You can chill it in the refrigerator for faster cooling. Simmer means to cook gently just below boiling, with small bubbles. Mirin is a sweet Japanese cooking wine.
💡 Pro Tips:
- •Making the sauce ahead of time allows the flavors to deepen.
- •Ensure the sauce is cold before serving with cold noodles.
Cook and chill the soba noodles
Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add 6 ounces 100% buckwheat soba noodles (thin, brown Japanese noodles made from buckwheat flour). Cook according to package directions, usually 3-5 minutes, until they are al dente (tender but still firm to the bite). Drain the noodles immediately and rinse them very thoroughly under cold running water until they are completely cool. This removes excess starch and stops cooking. Drain again very well. Al dente means cooked so that it is still firm when bitten. Soba noodles are thin, brown Japanese noodles made from buckwheat flour.
💡 Pro Tips:
- •Rinsing thoroughly is crucial for cold soba noodles to prevent stickiness.
- •Do not overcook soba noodles, as they can become mushy.
Prepare toppings
Thinly slice or julienne 1/2 English cucumber and 1 medium carrot. Thinly slice 3-4 radishes and 2 green onions. Julienne means to cut into long, thin strips.
💡 Pro Tips:
- •Preparing vegetables uniformly makes for an appealing presentation.
- •Fresh vegetables add crunch and color.
Assemble and serve
Divide the chilled soba noodles evenly between two serving bowls. Arrange the prepared cucumber, carrot, radishes, and green onions over the noodles. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds. Pour the chilled dipping sauce into two small individual bowls for dipping. Serve the cold soba noodle bowls immediately with the dipping sauce.
💡 Pro Tips:
- •You can serve the sauce directly over the noodles if preferred, but traditional Japanese style is to dip.
- •This dish is best served immediately for optimal freshness.
- Small saucepan (for sauce)
- Large pot (for noodles)
- Small bowls (for dipping sauce)
- Serving bowls
- Whisk
- Knife and cutting board
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- 💡For a spicier dipping sauce, add a tiny bit of red pepper flakes or a touch of wasabi.
- 💡You can add other toppings like shredded nori (seaweed), a hard-boiled egg, or grilled tofu for extra protein.
- 💡Ensure your soba noodles are 100% buckwheat for a gluten-free dish, as many brands mix with wheat flour.
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