Zaru soba
ざるそば: chilled buckwheat noodles on a bamboo tray with a kombu-shiitake dipping sauce
Zaru soba (ざるそば) is the simplest and most loved way to eat buckwheat noodles in Japan, served chilled on a bamboo tray (zaru) with a small cup of dipping sauce. You pick up a mouthful of noodles, dip them, and slurp. The usual tsuyu sauce is made with bonito; this one gets its savoury depth from kombu and dried shiitake. Refreshing on a hot day, with grated wasabi, spring onion and a little nori. Chef's tip: the ice-water rinse is not optional. It washes off the surface starch and tightens the noodles so they're slippery and firm; soba shops call this 'shime', the finishing chill.
- Total time
- 20 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 2
Ingredients
For the dipping sauce (tsuyu)
For the noodles
To serve
Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Soak ⅛ oz kombu (dried kelp) and 2 dried shiitake mushrooms in ¾ cup water for 10 minutes, then bring slowly to a simmer in a small pan. Remove the kombu just before it boils.
5 minStep 2: Add 4 tbsp mirin, 4 tbsp soy sauce and 1 tsp sugar and simmer for 3 minutes. Strain, discard the shiitake (or slice them for a topping) and cool the sauce, then chill. It keeps in the fridge for a week.
3 minStep 3: Bring a large pan of water to the boil, add 7 oz dried soba (buckwheat) noodles and stir so they don't stick. Cook following the packet, usually 4–5 minutes, until tender with no hard core. Add a splash of cold water if it threatens to boil over.
5 minStep 4: Drain into a colander and rinse under cold running water, rubbing the noodles gently between your hands to wash off the starch. Finish in a bowl of iced water for 30 seconds so they turn firm and glossy. Drain very well.
Step 5: Pile the noodles on bamboo trays or plates and scatter with 0.5 sheet nori. Pour the chilled sauce into small cups and serve 2 spring onions, 1 tsp wasabi paste and 1 ¾ oz daikon radish on the side to stir into the sauce as you eat.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 390 kcal
- Protein
- 14 g
- Carbs
- 80 g
- Fat
- 2 g
- Fibre
- 4 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does zaru soba take?
- About 20 minutes in total: 5 minutes to prepare and 15 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 2 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- What can I use instead of dried shiitake mushrooms?
- Aubergine, diced, same weight.
- What can I use instead of soy sauce?
- Tamari, same amount (gluten free).
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