Zaru Soba
A refreshing Japanese summer dish featuring chilled soba (buckwheat noodles) served on a bamboo mat (zaru) with a savory dipping sauce (tsuyu). The noodles are thoroughly rinsed to remove excess starch, ensuring a clean flavor and pleasant texture.
🧂 Ingredients
- 200 g Soba noodles(Look for 100% buckwheat for the best flavor and texture, or a blend if preferred.)
- 200 ml Dashi stock(Instant dashi granules dissolved in water are acceptable, or homemade dashi for a richer flavor.)
- 60 ml Soy sauce(Use Japanese soy sauce (shoyu) for authentic flavor.)
- 60 ml Mirin(Sweet Japanese rice wine. If unavailable, substitute with dry sherry and a pinch of sugar.)
- 2 Green onion (scallions)(Finely sliced for garnish.)
- to taste Wasabi(Freshly grated or paste, for serving.)
- 1 sheet Nori (dried seaweed)(Cut into thin strips (kizami nori) for garnish.)
- generous amount Ice cubes(For chilling the noodles.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the Tsuyu (Dipping Sauce): In a small bowl, whisk together the dashi stock, soy sauce, and mirin until well combined. Cover and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, at least 10 minutes.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 2
Cook the Soba Noodles: Bring a large pot of unsalted water to a rolling boil (approximately 2 liters of water for 200g of noodles). Add the soba noodles and stir gently to prevent sticking. Cook for the time indicated on the package, usually 4-6 minutes, or until al dente (tender but with a slight bite). Do not overcook.
⏱️ 6 minutes - 3
Rinse the Noodles: Once cooked, immediately drain the soba noodles into a colander. Rinse them thoroughly under cold running water, gently rubbing the noodles between your hands to remove excess starch. Continue rinsing until the noodles are completely cool to the touch and no longer feel slimy. Drain very well.
⏱️ 3 minutes - 4
Chill the Noodles: For optimal refreshment, place the drained noodles in a bowl filled with ice water for a minute or two. Drain thoroughly again.
⏱️ 1 minute - 5
Assemble and Serve: Arrange the chilled soba noodles neatly on a zaru (bamboo mat) or a plate lined with parchment paper. Serve immediately with the chilled tsuyu in small dipping bowls. Garnish the tsuyu with the finely sliced green onion and nori strips. Provide wasabi on the side for guests to add to their dipping sauce as desired.
⏱️ 2 minutes
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Rinsing the soba noodles thoroughly under cold water is crucial to remove excess starch, which prevents them from clumping and ensures a clean, pleasant texture.
- ✓Serve the tsuyu in small individual bowls for dipping. This allows each person to control the amount of sauce they use and prevents the noodles from becoming soggy.
- ✓It is traditional and considered polite in Japan to slurp your noodles while eating zaru soba. This helps to cool the noodles and enhances the flavor.
- ✓Ensure your water is generously salted when boiling soba noodles, similar to cooking pasta, to add flavor to the noodles themselves.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Warm Kake Soba: Serve the soba noodles in a hot dashi-based broth instead of chilled.
- Tororo Soba: Top the chilled noodles with grated yam (tororo) for a creamy and nutritious variation.
- Tempura Soba: Serve with a side of crispy tempura.
- Add grated daikon radish to the tsuyu for a refreshing kick.