Chilled Somen Noodles Hiyashi Somen Recipes

JAPANESE COLD SOMEN NOODLES

Steps:

• [Optional] Traditional Japanese restaurants tie up the noodles to enhance the appearance of the somen and this is how you do it. Tie the edge of somen noodles with cooking twine. This way noodles will stay in one direction while cooking. I normally skip this step for home use.
• In a large pot, bring water to a boil. When boiling, remove the wrapper.
• Add the somen noodles in the boiling water (do not add salt!). Stir noodles with chopsticks so they don't stick to each other. Cook according to the package instructions. If necessary, add a little bit of cold water in the pot to prevent overflowing.
• Drain somen in a colander and wash the noodles with hands under running water.
• Once the noodles are cold, find the knotted parts of somen noodles and pick them up. Cut off the edge and discard. Hold each bundle gently and arrange it nicely on a serving plate. Somen can be served with ice to keep cool.
• Cut the scallion finely and grate the ginger. Put them in small dishes.
• Pour mentsuyu in individual dipping sauce bowls and add iced water to dilute. I recommend making homemade mentsuyu but if you're too busy, get a bottle of mentsuyu like this. See the instructions. You can check the ratio of mentsuyu to water on this page. This brand recommends 1:3.
• Put a small portion of scallion and ginger in the dipping sauce and dip the somen noodles to enjoy! To make it more filling, you can bulk up the noodles by tossing in other ingredients such as shredded egg crepes (see How to Make Kinshi Tamago), julienned cucumbers, boiled okra, and ham.

HIYASHI SOMEN - COLD NOODLES WITH DIPPING SAUCE MARK BITTMAN

Steps:

• Combine the dashi with the soy sauce, mirin, sugar, and dried shrimp if you're using them in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring, just until the sugar is dissolved, then strain the dipping sauce into another container sitting on a bowl of ice to cool (you want it to be between ice cold and room temperature).
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add salt. Drop in the somen and cook for 2 to 4 minutes, until tender, then rinse them in a colander under cold running water.
• Serve each guest a small bowl of noodles, twisted into a little nest on top of a couple of ice cubes, and a small bowl with 1/2 cup of the dipping sauce scattered with the minced scallion on the side. Pass a little dish of wasabi, if desired, stir into the dipping sauce.

CHILLED SOMEN NOODLES (HIYASHI SOMEN)

Steps:

• Make dipping sauce by combining the dashi (or dashi granules and 1 cup water), mirin, and soy sauce in a medium saucepan. Bring just to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 5 minutes.
• Force-cool the sauce by pouring into a medium-size metal mixing bowl, placing into a large bowl of ice cubes and water, and twirling, taking care not to spill, until cooled. (Note: this is an important step; it won't taste right if you just let it cool slowly!)When cooled, refrigerate until ready to use.
• Cook noodles according to package directions. Drain, rinse well under cold water, drain again, and place in a bowl of cold water.
• To serve, place a mound of noodles into individual glass bowls, tuck in a few ice cubes and pour in a small amount of water (not enough to cover; just to dampen). Sprinkle with cilantro leaves to taste.
• On little individual plates, place a small mound of sliced green onion and a dab of wasabi. Pour some dipping sauce into small individual bowls.
• Each person can season his or her sauce to taste with the onions and wasabi, then pick up a bunch of noodles (chopsticks really work the best, but you can use a fork, too), allow water to drip back into bowl, dip into sauce, and eat.
• For a somewhat heartier meal, add some of the suggested additions (in the description above) along with the cilantro leaves when serving. I like to serve this with a simple salad of tomato wedges, sliced cucumber, and either lettuce or Napa cabbage with a Japanese-style dressing.