Cold Soba Noodles Zaru Soba Recipes

ZARU SOBA (CHILLED SOBA NOODLES)

Steps:

• To make the dipping sauce, add the dashi, soy sauce, sake and sugar to a saucepan, and bring the mixture to a boil. Continue boiling for 1 minute to vaporize the alcohol in the sake and soy sauce. Set this aside to cool.
• To boil the soba noodles, bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add the soba noodles and stir for about a minute to ensure the noodles don't stick together. Continue boiling the noodles for the amount of time specified on the package.
• Transfer the noodles to a strainer using chopsticks or tongs (leaving the boiling liquid in the pot).
• Wash the soba under cold running water to cool it to room temperature while removing any excess starch on the noodles' surface.
• Transfer the soba to a bowl of ice water and let the noodles chill for a moment.
• Serve the noodles by scooping small amounts of soba out of the ice water and bundling them up into small mounds on a zaru or large flat basket.
• Serve immediately with the dipping sauce and condiments.
• Once you've finished eating the cold soba, reheat the boiling liquid and serve it in a teapot to add to the remaining dipping sauce to make a broth.

COLD SOBA NOODLES (ZARU SOBA)

Steps:

• To prepare the dashi, or stock: Place the cold water in a saucepan. Using a damp cloth, wipe the kombu, removing any dirt. Place the kombu in the cold water, and bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Remove the kombu immediately, and reserve for another use. Bring the water again to a boil, and remove from the heat. Add the bonito flakes and stir, and then let them settle to the bottom of the pan, about 1 minute. Strain the liquid through a fine-meshed strainer lined with cheesecloth. Discard the bonito flakes.
• To make the dipping sauce, combine 2 cups of the dashi with the soy sauce and mirin in a bowl. Chill. (For serving, you may divide it into six portions and chill.)
• To cook the noodles, bring 3 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot. Add the noodles, scattering them over the surface. Once the water reaches a boil, cook for 5 to 6 minutes, or until just tender. Put the noodles in a colander, and rinse under cold running water to remove the starch. Drain thoroughly, and divide among six baskets or bowls.
• Place the scallions and wasabi in the center of the table with the noodles. Each diner then mixes a dab of the wasabi and 1 tablespoon of the scallions in a portion of dipping sauce and, using chopsticks, dips noodles into the sauce.