It is summer, and during this season, consuming light meals is beneficial. However, some regard that light meals are tasteless. And today, I promise to change your notion. In this blog, I will suggest light, soulful, tasty, and comforting noodles but with a twist. Japanese food lovers, can you guess which dish I am talking about? Oh, yes! It is the most beloved zaru soba noodles. And guess what! Preparing this dish hardly takes ten minutes. Once you treat yourself to these homemade lip-smacking zaru soba noodles, you will never order them from a restaurant. In this scorching summer, I cannot stay without relishing my favourite zaru soba noodles.  

Well, the ultimate showstopper of this dish remains the chilled mentsuyu. Hi! I am your food ninja, and recreating my favourite dishes from scratch is my passion. In this blog, I will share tips for making perfect noodles and how to serve them like a pro. Additionally, I will share a recipe for the appetizing noodle sauce. This intriguing post will be a game-changer for home chefs. Thus, read the entire piece. Try my recipe and share the feedback. And yes, if you like my homemade zaru soba noodles recipe, I recommend trying my Hiyashi Chuka, Japanese Cold Somen Noodles, and  Soba Noodle Salad.   

What is Zaru Soba Noodles?

These days, people have become health-conscious and understand the importance of eating gluten-free products. As we know, flour is the key ingredient of the Chinese noodles. Healthcare experts would never recommend eating noodles. However, you need not control your craving for noodles- Thanks to the Japanese buckwheat noodles (soba noodles). Yes- you read it correctly! The key reason for soba noodles being a favourite is its prime ingredient – gluten-free buckwheat. Try this recipe first, and then thank me for this information. However, wait! A little information about its history is also crucial.

Zaru noodles originated during the Edo period (1603-1868). During the Edo period, zaru noodles became an integral part of the Japanese cuisine. Alongside making it in their kitchens, the Japanese also set up food stalls selling these buckwheat noodles. Foreign visitors also enjoyed this hearty meal and reinvented it with a different twist in their countries. From there on, zaru soba noodles popularized and became an international cuisine. Zaru noodles got its name from “zaru,” a Japanese term meaning “bamboo strainer” in English. It plays a key part in straining excess water. Foodies relish this dish with the tempting tsuyu and top it with fresh wasabi and green onions.   

If you follow my blogs, you must have seen me mentioning why I like a dish. So, the reasons for preferring this dish are:

• It is a beneficial meal to protect you from health issues during the summer.
• I am a fitness freak who does not like eating gluten products. However, since it is a gluten-free dish, I cannot resist relishing this super-light and super-tasty dish.
• It is the simplest dish you can make, and that too, with ingredients readily available in your kitchen.

Now, let’s check what ingredients you need to make this dish. And yes, don’t worry! If you do not have any products, I have provided substitutes for them.

• 14 oz buckwheat noodles (dried soba noodles)
• 1⅛ cups iced water
• 6 tablespoons mentsuyu
• Scallions or two green onions
• Shredded nori seaweed

Ingredients for homemade mentsuyu

• ½-1 cup katsuobushi
• 1 piece kombu
• ½ cup mirin
• ¼ cup sake
• ½ cup soy sauce

Optional ingredient

• Wasabi

Substitutes

• Soba noodles

I will suggest two types. One provides superb texture, and the other provides a comforting flavour and rich aroma.

Known for being mild and slightly chewy, Hachi-wari soba consists of 20% wheat flour and 80% buckwheat flour.

Ju-wari soba is known for its rich aroma and comforting flavour. It is brittle. The reason ju-wari soba is a preferred choice of countless individuals is that people like to eat gluten-free products.   

I use ju-wari soba since it is gluten-free. You may choose any of these two according to your preference.

• Mentsuyu

It is available in Japanese groceries, or you can make it from scratch.  

• Sake

Use Chinese rice wine or dry sherry if sake is unavailable.

• Mirin

You may substitute mirin by mixing three tablespoons of sake and one tablespoon of sugar.

• Soy sauce

If you wish to enjoy this dish gluten-free, use tamari soy sauce.

Preparation of Zaru Noodles