Soba noodles are the total best side dish ever. I like to pair them with dumplings which I eat fairly regularly. Or you can also use them in a soup or vegetable dish. The noodles are made of buckwheat which I know doesn’t sound appetizing, but I guarantee you will love them! I was surprized when taking them out of the package that they start to almost dissolve or stick together so handle them with care as they react to the heat of your skin, and you don’t want them to get sticky. It’s in part because of their texture that they cook so quickly. Very important to make sure you don't over cook these noodles as they will turn into a globby mess.
Recipe for Soba Noodles in a sesame Sauce:(Serves 2 to 3 people)
One bundled bunch of soba noodles. They come in bundle bunches.
1 tsp of olive oil
1 tsp salt
1/3 cup of soy sauce (I use Kikkoman)
2 Tbsp of apple cider vinegar
3 Tbsp sesame oil
¼ tsp ground black pepper
1 tbsp. sugar
1 tbsp olive oil
2.5 cups of chopped green onions (withhold about ¼ cup for final garnish)
3 tbsp of toasted sesame seeds.
Noodles
Bring a large pot of water to a boil with a tsp of olive oil and salt. Cook the noodles for about 3 to 6 minutes or until tender. Stir regularly so they don’t clump together. Also, it is very important to keep testing the noodles as you don't want them to be over cooked. Once done rinse immediately in cold water and drain. The cold water helps to prevent clumping.
Sauce
Using a medium sized bowl thoroughly blend the soy sauce, sesame oil, apple cider vinegar, sugar and pepper.
Frying of Noodles & Sauce
For the final step heat up 1 tbsp of olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat until hot. Next add the chopped green onions and stir until you get the wonderful aroma wafting through your kitchen. This should only take about 30 seconds at the most. Add the sauce mixture and heat of another 30 seconds. Add the noodles and toss. These noodles can be served warm or at room temperature. Both are equally good.
Plating
I like to choose a small bowl for the plating and twirl my noodles into the bowl using a fork or chopsticks. The final touch is a sprinkling of the green onions you have set aside along with the toasted sesame seeds. Because you can serve this at room temperature there is no need to rush – especially if you are serving this as a side dish.
The whole family loved this dinner. It was a huge change for our regular meals and felt like a night out at a fancy restaurant. The soba noodles were served as a side dish but can be eaten on their own. The best part is that they take only minutes to cook and can be eaten warm or at room temperature.
These are buckwheat noodles and they come in small bound bundles. Be extra careful when handling them as the heat from your hands makes them sticky.
Brand of Soba Noodles purchased. These were from an Asian Supermarket as I was unable to find them in a regular grocery store. They are called Marufuji - Soba Noodles 500g
I added many more than in this photo. Just demonstrating the size of chopped green onions.
Totally key ingredeint.
Make sure the oil in the frying pan is shimmering and hot before adding the green onions.
The aroma of this cooking combination is amazing!
Once your noodles are cooked and twirled into your bowl add the fresh green onions you have set aside and sprinkle with roasted sesame seeds.
This is an amazing combination of flavors and textures. Plus it's easy to serve and done in less that 10 minutes.
A great side dish!
The dumpling recipe can be found at https://ellencooks.ca/vegan-dumplings
This meal combination is totally vegan and totally delicious.
By Ellen Britt at Ellen Cooks
Soba noodles are a popular Japanese dish that can be used in a variety of dishes and cooked in different styles. Some popular ways to cook soba noodles include boiling, stir-frying, and serving cold in a dipping sauce. Whether you prefer your soba noodles in a hot soup, in a cold salad, or as a main dish, there are many creative and delicious ways to enjoy this versatile food.
Yes, soba noodles can be sticky when handled, especially when they are freshly cooked and still hot. The stickiness is due to the starch content in the flour used to make the noodles. To prevent the noodles from sticking together, it is recommended to rinse them in cold water after boiling or to lightly dust them with flour before cooking. Additionally, serving soba noodles in a bowl of soup or dipping sauce can help to prevent them from sticking together.