Zaru Soba Cold Noodles

Name: Zaru Soba Cold Noodles
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: Japanese
Ingredients: 8 oz dried soba noodles; 1 cup dashi stock (or vegetable broth); 1/4 cup soy sauce; 2 tbsp mirin; 2 stalks scallions, thinly sliced; 1 tsp wasabi paste; 1 toasted nori sheet, cut into strips; 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds

Chilled buckwheat noodles served on a bamboo tray with a savory dipping broth, sliced scallions, and wasabi. A refreshing Japanese summer staple that comes together in under 25 minutes.

20 minEasyServes 2340 cal/serving

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Ingredients

8 oz dried soba noodles
1 cup dashi stock (or vegetable broth)
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tbsp mirin
2 stalks scallions, thinly sliced
1 tsp wasabi paste
1 toasted nori sheet, cut into strips
1 tsp toasted sesame seeds

Instructions

1

Bring a large pot of unsalted water to a boil. Cook 8 oz dried soba noodles according to package directions, usually 4 to 5 minutes, until just tender.
2

Drain dried soba noodles and rinse immediately under cold running water, rubbing gently to remove surface starch. Transfer to a bowl of ice water for 1 minute, then drain well.
3

Combine 1 cup dashi stock (or vegetable broth), 1/4 cup soy sauce, and 2 tbsp mirin in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring just to a simmer, stir to combine, then remove from heat and let cool to room temperature. Refrigerate until cold.
4

Divide the chilled noodles onto individual plates or a slatted bamboo tray. Lay 1 cut into strips toasted nori sheet over the noodles and sprinkle with 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds.
5

Pour the chilled dipping broth into small individual bowls. Serve alongside the noodles with 2 stalks thinly sliced scallions and 1 tsp wasabi paste for diners to stir into their dipping broth to taste.
6

To eat, pick up a small bundle of noodles, dip into the broth, and enjoy.

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Questions

Is there a substitute for dashi in Zaru Soba Cold Noodles?

The entry for Zaru Soba Cold Noodles calls for 1 cup dashi stock (or vegetable broth). In its place: Light chicken or vegetable stock with a splash of soy sauce works. For something closer, steep a piece of kombu or a few dried shiitake in hot water for 20 minutes.

How hot is Zaru Soba Cold Noodles?

Only mildly. The heat in Zaru Soba Cold Noodles comes from 1 tsp wasabi paste. For a milder plate, start with half the wasabi and add more to taste at the end; nothing else in the method changes. For more, add it at the table rather than in the pot, so everyone sets their own level.

Can I make Zaru Soba Cold Noodles gluten-free?

Yes. The gluten in Zaru Soba Cold Noodles is 8 oz dried soba noodles, 1/4 cup soy sauce. Swap the pasta for a gluten-free one, cooked a minute short of its package time; the soy-based sauce for tamari or coconut aminos. Everything else proceeds as written.

Does Zaru Soba Cold Noodles contain sesame?

Yes: 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds. The full allergen list for this entry is gluten, soy and sesame. Seeds used as a garnish can simply be left off; the oil has no true substitute. Packaged ingredients vary by brand, so check labels if the allergy is serious.

How do I store and reheat Zaru Soba Cold Noodles?

Refrigerate what is left of Zaru Soba Cold Noodles within two hours and eat it within three days. Reheat gently on the stovetop. The pasta keeps drinking the sauce as it sits; loosen it with a splash of water or stock.

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