In a small saucepan, combine the soy sauce, mirin, and water. Heat the mixture gently over medium heat until it's hot but not boiling. If you are using kombu and katsuobushi, prepare a dashi first, then add the other ingredients. Let the sauce cool completely, ideally in the refrigerator.
Soba (Zaru Soba)
- Total time - 20 minutes
- Preparation - 10 minutes
- Cooking time - 10 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Country: Japan
The key to perfect Zaru Soba is to thoroughly rinse the noodles after cooking. This not only chills them but also removes excess starch, preventing them from sticking together and maintaining their unique springy texture. Serve them with fresh toppings and a chilled sauce for the best experience.
Ingredients
For the Soba Noodles
- 400 g soba noodles
For the Tsuyu Sauce
- 120 ml soy sauce
- 120 ml mirin
- 240 ml water
- optional: kombu and katsuobushi for dashi
For Toppings (optional)
- scallions, thinly sliced
- grated daikon radish
- wasabi paste
- nori seaweed, shredded
Instructions
Step 1: Make the Tsuyu Sauce
Step 2: Cook the Soba Noodles
In a large pot, bring water to a rolling boil. Add the soba noodles and cook according to the package instructions, usually 4-5 minutes.
Step 3: Chill and Drain
Immediately after cooking, drain the noodles and rinse them thoroughly under cold running water. This is a crucial step to remove excess starch and prevent the noodles from sticking. Drain them well.
Step 4: Assemble and Serve
Divide the chilled noodles among serving plates or a bamboo sieve (zaru). Serve each portion with a small bowl of the chilled tsuyu dipping sauce. Let people add chopped scallions, grated daikon, and wasabi to the dipping sauce to their taste.