How to Make the Perfect Soba Noodles
Japanese · Easy · 15 min · 4 servings
This simple soba noodle dish is a kid friendly recipe that comes together in under 20 minutes using just a handful of ingredients. The mild nutty flavor of the buckwheat noodles paired with a light soy dipping sauce makes this a healthy meal kids genuinely enjoy.
Why this recipe works
This Soba Noodles recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 15 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 280 calories with 10g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 6 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 300 g soba noodles
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp mirin
- 1 cup cold water
- 2 stalks green onions thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Make the Dipping Sauce
Combine soy sauce mirin cold water and sesame oil in a small bowl or cup and stir well. Refrigerate the sauce while you cook the noodles so it stays cool and refreshing.
Step 2: Cook the Soba Noodles
Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the soba noodles according to package directions usually 4 to 5 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent the noodles from clumping together.
Step 3: Rinse and Chill
Drain the cooked noodles immediately into a colander then rinse thoroughly under cold running water while rubbing the noodles gently to remove excess starch and keep them from sticking.
Step 4: Serve and Enjoy
Divide the cold soba noodles into bowls or onto plates and garnish with sliced green onions. Pour the dipping sauce into small cups on the side for kids to dip and enjoy.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- soba noodles → regular spaghetti for a gluten free friendly alternative
- mirin → 1 tsp honey mixed with 1 tsp rice vinegar
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Skipping the cold water rinse which causes the noodles to become sticky and clump together
- Overcooking the soba noodles making them mushy instead of pleasantly chewy
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 280 calories, 10g protein, 54g carbs, 3g fat, 4g fiber.
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