Japanese Zaru Soba! See how you can make these delicious buckwheat noodles at home!
Before I get to this post and recipe, I just wanted to say thank you so much for all of the emails, support, comments, well wishes and prayers for my mother (who recently had a kidney transplant; kidney donated from my sister, Grace). The support, emails and comments have been so overwhelming, thoughtful, kind and sweet and have touched me so much. It really means so much to receive support like this from many of you whom I have never met, who do not even know my mother- yet we are surrounded and blanketed by this overwhelming kindness. It’s been so touching and truly truly means so much. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
I was first introduced to Zaru Soba when my dad opened his first Japanese restaurant. I loved it. The whole experience. The beautiful presentation. The bamboo mat that the noodles came out on. Grabbing my chopsticks and dipping the noodles into the sauce and then into my mouth. Delicious!
Zaru Soba is a very popular Japanese buckwheat noodle dish. I love that it’s so light, tasty and good for you! If you’ve never tried Zaru Soba, get out to one of your favorite Japanese restaurants and give it a try. . or try making this at home. We love all kinds of Asian noodles and buckwheat noodles are definitely a favorite. And now that I know this is so easy, I will definitely be making this more often and might have to actually invest in a bamboo mat tray!
The school year is starting soon. I can’t believe it. So, now we’re all about quick and easy and keeping it real for week night dinners (or lunch). I was in Dallas and asked my dad to teach me how to make the Zaru Soba dipping sauce. . . getting ready to write down a long list of ingredients. . And he pulls out this bottle.
Seriously?
Now let me reiterate that this is NOT what Japanese people use in restaurants when you order Zaru Soba. But this is what they sell now at Asian Markets for people- just like you and me- who want to enjoy Zaru Soba at home.
Isn’t this brilliant?
So, literally all you have to do is boil the noodles and prep your toppings and you are done! You don’t have to do anything to the sauce. It’s made and ready to go. Again, with the noodles, I am recommending a frozen brand because according to my parents, “It just tastes better.”
And for the toppings we just used what we had in the house, so we topped our Zaru Soba with cucumbers, nori (seaweed) and pureed white radish. Adds a little kick mixed with some wasabi and tastes great.
So, if you were intimidated by Japanese food before- specifically Zaru Soba, I hope this inspires you to get out to your local Asian Market and explore! I hope you enjoy!
Zaru Soba
Ingredients
- 1 package Japanese buckwheat noodles
- 1 bottle of Soba Tsuyu dipping sauce; you can add a little water if needed
- Cucumbers; julienned
- 1 medium to large Daikon radish; grated or slightly pureed
- Nori; finely shredded
- wasabi optional
Instructions
- Cook your buckwheat noodles according to package instructions; usually boil them for only a few minutes. Drain and rinse. Set aside.
- Cut the cucumbers and grate or puree the radish
- To assemble and serve: (you can either serve the Zaru Soba with the sauce already poured in or in a separate bowl; serving separately is the more traditional way of eating this dish) Serve the noodles and top with the fresh cucumbers, radish and nori. Alternatively, you can simply add the pureed radish into the dipping sauce and mix slightly. Serve with wasabi and enjoy.
