Classic Cold Soba Recipe (2024)

  • Recipes
  • Recipes By Ingredients
  • Noodles
  • Soba Noodles

Cold, nutty soba noodles pair perfectly with a soy sauce and mirin dipping sauce.

By

Chichi Wang

Classic Cold Soba Recipe (1)

Chichi Wang

Chichi Wang wrote a variety of columns for Serious Eats including The Butcher's Cuts, in addition to other stories. Born in Shanghai and raised in New Mexico, Chichi took her degree in philosophy but decided that writing about food would be more fun than writing about Plato.

Learn about Serious Eats'Editorial Process

Updated September 19, 2022

WRITE A REVIEW

Classic Cold Soba Recipe (2)

Why It Works

  • The noodle's natural nutty flavor and chewy texture pair best with a clean, simple dipping sauce made with high-quality light Japanese soy sauce and homemade dashi.
  • Dashi gives the dish an elegant flavor.
  • Grated daikon adds sweetness and sharpness to the dipping sauce.

Once at an Italian restaurant, I ordered a fresh tagliatelle dish that seemed fairly run-of-the-mill except for the fact that the freshly kneaded, freshly cut noodles were made with buckwheat flour. The buckwheat's nuttiness was a refreshing change from the usual softness of white flour pasta, and it tasted so good, I thought to myself, why don't more pasta dishes make use of buckwheat flour?

Classic Cold Soba Recipe (3)

Buckwheat noodles, or soba, are a staple in Japanese cuisine. Chewy with a grainy texture, buckwheat noodles are eaten hot, cold, or at room temperature. The dough is made from a combination of wheat and buckwheat flour and can be found in a variety of thicknesses, in either a round or square shape.

Buckwheat noodles are commonly sold in dried form, but Japanese and Korean markets usually carry fresh soba in the refrigerated sections. Like most types of fresh pasta, fresh soba has a chewiness that the dried noodles lack, but I like the bouncy, more "brittle" texture of dried soba just as well.

Because soba has such a grainy taste and texture, you should pair it with simple, clean flavors like soy sauce, sesame oil, and dashi. Since the soba broth is so simple, it's important to use the best quality condiments you can find: fresh, homemade dashi whenever possible, and light Japanese soy sauce.

Classic Cold Soba Recipe (4)

The classic dipping sauce for soba is a combination of dashi, soy sauce, mirin, and a bit of sugar. An assortment of relish-style items is also paired with the noodles: a dab of wasabi, some freshly grated daikon, and finely chopped green scallions. The finely grated daikon swims like a school of tadpoles in a clear pool of broth, adding both sweetness and sharpness.

Whatever else you choose to serve with the soba, make sure it's simple and doesn't interfere with the noodle's natural flavors. Dip, slurp, and enjoy.

March 2011

Recipe Details

Classic Cold Soba Recipe

Prep5 mins

Cook20 mins

Active20 mins

Total25 mins

Ingredients

For the Dipping Sauce:

  • 1 1/2 cups (355ml) dashi

  • 1/2 cup (118ml) light soy sauce

  • 1/2 cup (118ml) mirin

  • 1/4 teaspoon sugar

For the Noodles:

  • 1 teaspoon wasabi, or to taste

  • 3 ounces peeled and finely grated daikon

  • 2 trimmed and finely chopped green onions

  • 8 ounces dried or fresh soba

  • 1 large sheet nori, cut into thin strips

Directions

  1. Bring dashi, soy sauce, mirin, and sugar to gentle boil over medium heat. Remove from heat and allow to cool.

    Classic Cold Soba Recipe (5)

  2. Set out 4 serving plates. Divide equally among plates: dab of wasabi, grated daikon, and scallions.

    Classic Cold Soba Recipe (6)

  3. In the meantime, bring 2-quart pot of water to boil over high heat and add soba. Return water to boil and cook the noodles until tender but firm, 3 to 5 minutes. Have ready a large bowl or pot ready with ice water. Use strainer to remove soba from pot. Place soba into ice water and chill until noodles are cold. Drain noodles.

    Classic Cold Soba Recipe (7)

  4. Divide noodles evenly between the four plates, mounding the noodles. Pour dipping sauce into individual little bowls to serve alongside noodles.

    Classic Cold Soba Recipe (8)

  5. To eat, stir some daikon, wasabi, and green onion into dipping sauce. Take some noodles with chopsticks and dip.

    Classic Cold Soba Recipe (9)

Special Equipment

Saucepan, colander

  • Soba Noodles
  • Japanese
  • Noodle Mains
  • Summer Mains
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
171Calories
1g Fat
30g Carbs
8g Protein

×

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories171
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 1g2%
Saturated Fat 0g1%
Cholesterol 1mg0%
Sodium 2408mg105%
Total Carbohydrate 30g11%
Dietary Fiber 1g3%
Total Sugars 14g
Protein 8g
Vitamin C 5mg26%
Calcium 27mg2%
Iron 1mg5%
Potassium 377mg8%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Classic Cold Soba Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the Japanese name for cold soba noodles? ›

Zaru Soba (ざる蕎麦) is a traditional chilled noodle dish made from buckwheat flour and served with soy sauce-based dipping sauce called Tsuyu (つゆ). The word zaru means “a strainer” in Japanese and the name of the dish was derived from the way the noodles are served over a bamboo strainer during the Edo Period.

How long does it take to cook cold soba? ›

Prepare soba noodles by adding them to boiling water. Let it cook for around 3-4minuets and drain and rinse with cold water. Let it rest in ice water for 30 seconds, drain and set aside. Add chopped green onion to the sauce and add freshly grated daikon and seaweed on top of the noodles.

What is soba sauce made of? ›

The classic dipping sauce for soba is a combination of dashi, soy sauce, mirin, and a bit of sugar. An assortment of relish-style items is also paired with the noodles: a dab of wasabi, some freshly grated daikon, and finely chopped green scallions.

Is cold soba healthy? ›

Served cold or hot, soba noodles are a delicious and nutritious alternative to traditional pastas and other noodles. They're a good source of: manganese. fiber.

What does soba mean in Japanese? ›

The word soba (蕎麦) means "buckwheat" (fa*gopyrum esculentum). The full name for buckwheat noodles is soba-kiri (蕎麦切り "sliced buckwheat"), but soba is commonly used for short. Historically, soba noodles were called nihon-soba, wa-soba, or Yamato-soba, all of which mean "Japanese soba".

What makes good soba? ›

A few, all-important ingredients

Soba noodles only require two essential ingredients – buckwheat flour and water – so it is crucial that these elements are of the highest quality. Some recipes, including Honke Owariya's, also call for a small amount of wheat flour to improve texture.

Why are my soba noodles slimy? ›

The one difference between soba and most other noodles is that, once cooked, you should always strain and then plunge the soba into cold water to stop the cooking process. This prevents the noodles from getting gummy and sticking together, which they're prone to do if they are overcooked.

Do dry soba noodles go bad? ›

Dried soba can be stored as you would any other dried pasta or noodle (dry, cool, dark pantry is best) until the sell-by date listed on the package; semi-dried or half-fresh noodles should be kept as you found them at the store.

Which is better, soba or udon? ›

Which is Healthier, Udon or Soba? With its wholegrain like appearance and buckwheat heavy base, Soba is the healthier choice when it comes to your Asian noodle game. This is because buckwheat is lower in carbohydrates and lower in calories so it's a good choice for those trying to cut back.

What protein goes well with soba? ›

Topping suggestions
Proteins
ProteinsSoft or Hard boiled egg
TofuPeanuts, no salt, or lightly salted
SeitanAlmond slivers
Edamame

What is the difference between Zaru soba and cold soba? ›

Understanding the Differences

Zaru soba is a cold noodle dish that is served on a zaru mat and garnished with green onions, wasabi, and nori seaweed. Mori soba is a cold noodle dish that is served in a bowl and is often served as a light meal or snack.

What sauce is in classic soba noodles? ›

Product Description. Instant Wheat Noodles with Yakisoba Seasoning Sauce.

Is soba healthier than ramen? ›

There are many regional varieties of soba with their own toppings as well. For example, "Kitsune Soba" features deep-fried tofu. Note: Lower in calories, Soba Noodles are healthier than Udon or Ramen Noodles!

Why soba is so good? ›

Buckwheat noodles are quick and simple to prepare and add fantastic depth, flavor and texture to any Asian dish. They are also quick to cook, which is ideal when you're making a speedy midweek meal.

What are cold noodles called in Japan? ›

Sōmen are long, thin noodles that are associated with Japanese traditional ceremonies. Sōmen are usually served in the form of nagashi sōmen, where sōmen in cold water flows down a bamboo flume.

What is another name for soba noodles? ›

While the term “soba” is sometimes chuka-soba (ramen) or yakisoba (fried wheat flour noodles), it most commonly refers to long, thin noodles made from soba (buckwheat) flour. Its appearance is similar to spaghetti, but with a slightly nuttier flavor from the buckwheat.

What are the three types of soba noodles? ›

Different Kinds of Soba
  • Zaru and Mori Soba. Actually, this soba dish's name comes from an appliance that everyone thinks about when they hear “zaru soba.” Image via Shutterstock. ...
  • Kake Soba. ...
  • Kitsune Soba. ...
  • Tsukimi Soba. ...
  • Tempura Soba. ...
  • Tanuki Soba. ...
  • Tororo Soba. ...
  • Nanban Soba.
Mar 17, 2022

What are cold buckwheat noodles called? ›

Literally translated into cold noodles, naengmyeon is a cold noodle dish of thin, chewy noodles that are made with buckwheat and potato or sweet potato starch.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Melvina Ondricka

Last Updated:

Views: 6259

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (68 voted)

Reviews: 83% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Melvina Ondricka

Birthday: 2000-12-23

Address: Suite 382 139 Shaniqua Locks, Paulaborough, UT 90498

Phone: +636383657021

Job: Dynamic Government Specialist

Hobby: Kite flying, Watching movies, Knitting, Model building, Reading, Wood carving, Paintball

Introduction: My name is Melvina Ondricka, I am a helpful, fancy, friendly, innocent, outstanding, courageous, thoughtful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.