Chilled Soba Noodles (Zaru Soba)
Quick and Refreshing Chilled Soba Noodles for When You Have No Appetite
With store-bought soba noodles and tsuyu (noodle dipping sauce), you can easily enjoy a delicious bowl of chilled soba anytime! Its savory and refreshing taste is perfect for those moments when your appetite is low. Here’s a simple yet delightful soba recipe.
Ingredients
- Soba noodles, 1 serving (1 bundle)
- Store-bought tsuyu (noodle dipping sauce), 8 Tbsp
- Cold water, 200ml
- Daikon radish, a piece about 5cm thick
- Cucumber, 1/3
- Green onion, 1/2 bunch
- Ice, as needed
- Shredded nori seaweed, for garnish
- Wasabi, 1 tsp
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s prepare the refreshing soba dipping sauce. Using a store-bought tsuyu makes it convenient. Combine 200ml of cold water with 8 tablespoons of tsuyu and mix well. It’s best to taste and adjust the seasoning according to your preference. Making it ahead and chilling it in the refrigerator will enhance the flavor.
Step 2
Next, prepare the toppings. Finely chop the green onion. Wash the cucumber and slice it into thin matchsticks.
Step 3
Grate the daikon radish finely. Half of a 5cm piece should be sufficient, but feel free to grate more if you enjoy daikon. Place the grated radish in a sieve to drain excess water. You can gently squeeze it with your hands to form it into a small mound if desired.
Step 4
Soba noodles are also readily available at most supermarkets. One bundle typically serves one person, and the package usually contains about 5 bundles. (Example: Cheil Jigjeomso Soba Noodles)
Step 5
The color of the soba noodles is lighter than you might expect. One bundle is usually a good portion for a single serving.
Step 6
Now, let’s cook the soba noodles. Bring a generous amount of water to a boil. Add the soba noodles and cook. Once they float to the surface, add a cup of cold water and bring it back to a boil. Adding cold water again will make the noodles chewier. Cook for about 6 minutes in total.
Step 7
After cooking, rinse the soba noodles thoroughly under cold running water, rubbing them gently. This process removes excess starch, resulting in a chewier and more resilient texture.
Step 8
Now, add the cooked soba noodles to the chilled dipping sauce. If you find it tricky to arrange the noodles prettily, don’t worry – simply placing them in the bowl will result in the same delicious taste.
Step 9
It’s time to garnish the noodles. First, artfully arrange the grated daikon radish on top of the soba noodles.
Step 10
On one side, place the julienned cucumber.
Step 11
On the other side, add the chopped green onions. It’s best to slice the green onions thinly to reduce their pungent flavor. If sliced thickly, they can be quite strong!
Step 12
Finally, add plenty of ice cubes for extra chill, and top with shredded nori seaweed. You can also add a dab of wasabi to your liking for an extra kick. Enjoy your refreshing meal!
