World Flavors Cookbook

Zaru Soba (Cold Buckwheat Noodles)

Japan's refined cold buckwheat noodles — served on a bamboo mat with a cold dashi-soy dipping sauce, wasabi, and green onion.

Cuisine: Japan

Ingredients

• 200g dried soba noodles
• Dipping sauce (tsuyu): 1 cup dashi, 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp mirin
• Wasabi, grated ginger
• Sliced green onions
• Nori strips
• Ice water

Instructions

1. Boil soba noodles 4-5 minutes. Drain and rinse immediately under cold water.
2. Plunge into ice water to firm up and chill thoroughly.
3. For tsuyu: combine dashi, soy sauce, and mirin. Chill.
4. Drain soba and arrange on a bamboo mat (zaru) or plate.
5. Serve with tsuyu in small cups, wasabi, ginger, green onion, and nori.
6. Dip noodles into sauce before each bite. Slurp loudly (it's encouraged!).