Japanese Soba Noodle Salad
I’ve found a perfect summer side dish that is easy and quick to put together, perfect for a hot summer day. These are seriously so delicious!
It’s made with Japanese soba (buckwheat) noodles. I picked up a package at the local World Market, which, in Billings anyway, is beginning to stock more and more Asian ingredients. The dry noodles are shorter than spaghetti, and are packed in neat little 3 oz. bundles – they’re very cute. But, if you can’t find soba, this salad would be outstanding made with thin spaghetti.
There are only four ingredients for the salad, and the noodles cook in only 3 minutes. Once the noodles are cooked, drain them and run under cool tap water.- violá – ready for your salad!
Japanese buckwheat noodles are lower in calories that regular wheat pasta, 113 calories per cup vs. 200 calories per cup of regular pasta. If you are able to find soba made entirely of buckwheat, the noodles are also gluten free – be sure to check the packaging label for those following a gluten-free diet. The package I bought were organic, and made from a combination of whole wheat and buckwheat. Soba noodles are classified as a slow-releasing carbohydrate with a glycemic index of 46, which is considered quite low.
Japanese Soba Noodle Salad would be perfect alongside any grilled meat, especially those using a soy-based marinade. Oh, how about grilled shrimp! Or you could add cold, shredded chicken breast as another variation, or shredded carrots or lettuce. Yum!
Please Note: I did not have cilantro when I made this, and it was still fabulous.
Adapted from www.justonecookbook.com, Quick & Easy Japanese Recipes
- 9 oz. (3 bundles) soba (buckwheat noodles) or 9 oz. thin spaghetti
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro
- 2 Tablespoons sesame seeds
- For the dressing: mix oil, sesame oil and crushed red peppers. Heat gently in the microwave for one minute or less - set aside to slightly cool. In a medium bowl, mix together the honey and soy sauce, add the oil mixture, and whisk together until the honey is dissolved.
- For the noodles: Cook the soba according to package directions. Soba cooks quickly in 3 minutes or so - be sure not to overcook so the noodles are al dente. Drain the noodles into a colander, and rinse under cold running water. Drain well. Transfer to a large bowl.
- Pour over the dressing and toss so all the noodles are covered. Add the cilantro, green onions, and sesame seeds. Toss to combine and serve.
