Zaru Soba

Zaru soba is Japan's perfect hot-weather meal: cold buckwheat noodles served on a bamboo tray with a chilled, savory dipping sauce, spring onions, and a dab of wasabi. It is light, refreshing, and quietly elegant.

Prep time

10 mins

Cook time

15 mins

Total time

25 mins

Servings

4 servings

Calories

340

Ingredients

• 300 g dried soba noodles
• 300 ml mentsuyu (soba dipping sauce)
• 200 ml cold water
• 2 spring onions, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon wasabi
• 1 sheet nori, cut into thin strips
• 1 tablespoon grated ginger
• Ice cubes
• Tempura or pickles, to serve

Instructions

1. Mix the mentsuyu with the cold water and chill it in the fridge until serving time.
2. Bring a large pot of unsalted water to a boil and cook the soba for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring gently.
3. Drain the noodles and rinse under cold running water, rubbing gently to remove the starch.
4. Chill the noodles in a bowl of iced water for 2 minutes, then drain well.
5. Arrange the noodles on a plate or bamboo tray and scatter over the nori strips.
6. Serve with the chilled dipping sauce, spring onions, wasabi, and ginger on the side.

Pro tips

• Do not salt the cooking water — the dipping sauce provides all the seasoning.
• Rinse the noodles thoroughly; leftover starch makes them sticky and dull.
• Dip, do not soak — a quick dip keeps the noodles from getting too salty.

Frequently asked questions