Zaru Soba is the king of summer meals in Japan. Cold Japanese soba noodles dipped in a homemade soup is so good. When it’s getting warm and you want to eat something an easy, light dish, this is what I recommend!
When it’s summer time, I crave cold, light food. Today I introduce one of the most famous summer foods in Japan! It is Zaru Soba.
What is Zaru Soba
Zaru Soba is talked about often in summer time. Zaru means a flat or shallow basket made from bamboo, and soba means Japanese noodles. How you eat the dish is you start with some toppings, and add the amount and mixture you want into the soba soup. I like adding wasabi and green onion to the soba soup but it depends on your preference. Then, dip the soba noodles into the soup and eat it. It is an elegant taste that feels like summer!
Which Noodles Should I Buy for Zaru Soba
You mostly see these two colors of soba noodles at grocery stores. The big difference between them is flavor and texture. I like both of them but I like the brown color soba noodles better. You can try both of them and find out which is your favorite!
Can I Make Homemade Zaru Soba Soup (Mentsuyu)
The easiest way to make Zaru Soba soup is using Mentsuyu. This is 4 times deep flavor so simply add 4 times more water to mentsuyu for zaru soba soup. So for example, if you use 50ml mentsuyu, add 200 ml water. If you prefer lighter soup, then add more water. But what if you don’t have Mentsuyu? Then you can make it 🙂 I explain how to make the soup in the recipe but here are the ingredients!
Ingredients for zaru soba soup
I feel like making homemade zaru soba soup is better than just Mentsuyu and water.
What Are the Best Toppings for Zaru Soba
This is your choice but here are the zaru soba topping options!
Zaru Soba Topping Options
I like green onion and some wasabi for zaru soba but it’s totally your choice!
What is Wasabi?
I mentioned wasabi as a topping option. You might know wasabi because of sushi. When you order sushi, it usually comes with wasabi. Wasabi is one of the few endemic species of Japan. The seeds and seedlings all originated in Japan, and it was in Japan that the plant was first cultivated. It is a plant that can only be grown in a limited amount of land, as it cannot grow unless the land satisfies environmental conditions such as a cool, constant water temperature and volume, highly permeable soil, and soft sunlight. Cultivated with the blessings of the land, the wisdom of the people, and careful handiwork. The feature of wasabi is its green color and spiciness. In Japan, it is common that kids don’t like it but as they grow, wasabi can be one of their favorite ingredients to add to so many dishes!
Similar Recipes to Zaru Soba on Oishi Book
- Tantan Japanese Cold Somen Noodles(冷やし坦々そうめん)
- Curry Noodle Udon (カレーうどん : Kare Udon)
- Shoyu Ramen (醤油ラーメン)
CHECK Stay in touch with me on Instagram and Pinterest to get the latest recipes! DM or comment me on Instagram if you have any questions or feedback!
Zaru Soba
Ingredients
Instructions
Soba noodle
- Make soba noodles first. In a boiling pot, add soba noodles and cook for 3-4 minutes until the noodles are done. *1
- Drain the hot water from the pot using a strainer and wash the soba noodles with cold water. Add some ice in the strainer to make the soba noodles cold.
Soba soup
- In a medium pot, add water, soy sauce, mirin, and dashi powder. Bring to a boil. After boiling, cook for 1 minute.
- After making the soba soup, let it cool down.
Let's eat!
- Place the soba noodles onto bamboo sieves or a plate. Add the cooled down soba sauce in a deep bowl or dish.
- Dip the soba noodles into the soup. If you want, add some toppings such as green onion, dry seaweed, minced ginger and wasabi to the soup.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.