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9 Ways to Cook with Japanese Soba Noodles

The hearty buckwheat noodles are good in cold salads, hot soups, and plenty in between

By SAVEUR Editors


Published on February 17, 2016

Chewy and heartier than most noodles, soba are common in Japanese and Korean cuisines—it's time they get their due respect elsewhere. If you're brave, try making them from scratch with the first recipe below; or, pick up a pack at your closest Asian market and get ready to slurp.

Fresh Soba Noodles

Fresh Soba Noodles

Kombu

Dashi—a seaweed-based broth—is the ubiquitous foundation of Japanese cooking. Used to make miso, soups, sauces, and marinades, it imbues everything with a hit of umami and a dose of briny ocean flavor. Dried mushrooms and bonito (dried fish flakes) add even deeper, more pungent flavor. Get the recipe for Dashi Stock »

Kaeshi
Kaeshi, the Other Sauce Base

This salty–sweet sauce from Sonoko Sakai, most notably eaten with soba noodles, is a building block of flavor in various sauces used throughout Japan. Get the recipe for Kaeshi »

Soba Noodles with Two Dipping Sauces
Soba Noodles with Two Dipping Sauces

In this preparation, cold soba noodles are eaten with two dipping sauces: one made of dashi and the other a homemade, lightly sweetened walnut paste. Get the recipe for Soba Noodles with Two Dipping Sauces »

Cold Soba with Mushroom and Leek Seiro Broth
Cold Soba with Mushroom and Leek Seiro Broth

For this deconstructed noodle soup, dip cold noodles into the hot broth, then slurp them quickly—the technique preserves the integrity of the tender, fresh noodles. Get the recipe for Cold Soba with Mushroom and Leek Seiro Broth »

Hot Soba Noodles with Chicken and Egg
Hot Soba with Chicken and Egg

Is there ever a bad time for soba noodles? Definitely not.

Soba salad recipe with summer greens on two plates Vegetarian recipes
Soba Noodle Salad with Miso and Grilled Prawns
Soba Noodle Salad with Miso and Grilled Prawns

A miso marinade doubles as a dressing for a flavorful salad composed of watercress, scallions, and soba noodles. Get the recipe for Soba Noodle Salad with Miso and Grilled Prawns »

Soba Noodles with Wasabi and Shiitake Mushrooms
Soba Noodles with Wasabi and Shiitake Mushrooms

In Japan, China, and many other Asian countries, tradition calls for eating long noodles, which signify longevity, on New Year’s Day. In this simple noodle dish, crisp wasabi stalks add texture, while the tender, chewy leaves are a complex substitute for bitter greens. Get the recipe for Soba Noodles with Wasabi and Shiitake Mushrooms »

Houston, Chris Shepherd, Grilling, Soba Salad
Soba Salad with Marinated Cucumber and Ponzu

Soba Salad with Marinated Cucumber and Ponzu

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