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Close-up of authentic cold soba noodles on a bamboo tray with dipping sauce

Cold Soba Noodles Recipe (Authentic 15-Minute Zaru Soba)

Ilyas Siaghy
Learn how to make authentic cold soba noodles (zaru soba) with a rich dipping sauce in just 15 minutes, the ultimate refreshing summer lunch recipe.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Japanese
Servings 4 servings
Calories 310 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 14 oz dried soba noodles 2 bundles
  • 1 cup dashi stock
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup mirin
  • 1 tbsp sugar optional
  • 1 tbsp sake optional
  • 2 scallions thinly sliced
  • 1 sheet nori cut into strips
  • 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
  • Wasabi and grated daikon to serve

Instructions
 

Cook the Soba Noodles

  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add soba noodles and cook 3-5 minutes until tender with a slight chew.

Shock in Ice Water

  • Drain and rinse noodles under cold water, rubbing gently, then chill in an ice bath until fully cold.

Make the Dipping Sauce

  • Simmer dashi, soy sauce, mirin, sugar, and sake until sugar dissolves. Cool and chill before serving.

Assemble and Serve

  • Plate chilled noodles, top with scallions, nori, and sesame seeds, and serve with dipping sauce, wasabi, and daikon.
Keyword cold soba noodles, how to cook soba noodles, japanese soba recipe, soba dipping sauce, zaru soba