What is soba noodles? Japanese soba dishes and how to eat them properly

In Japan, there are many famous and delicious types of noodles such as ramen, udon, soba, etc. Today, Tnhelearning.edu.vn introduces you to soba noodles and noodle dishes as well as the best way to eat them!

What is soba noodles?

Soba noodles are made from buckwheat flour as the main ingredient

Soba noodles are made from the main ingredient of buckwheat flour, soba noodles are as thin as Italian spaghetti but contain many healthy nutrients. This noodle can be eaten hot or cold.

Soba noodles are very popular in the land of the rising sun, this dish is quite luxurious at famous restaurants and sold at convenience stores . In addition, at the markets, there are also dry soba noodles with instant broth, but depending on the weather, hot and cold soba noodles are very diverse.

Mori Soba is the most basic type of soba noodles , usually boiled and then dipped in cold water and placed on a square plate and often served with soy sauce “tsuyu”.

There are many varieties of Soba noodles, so they are usually eaten all year round, but there are also some seasonal varieties such as “Toshikoshi Soba” which is only eaten on New Year’s Eve each year with the meaning of longevity.

Origin of soba noodles

Origin of soba noodles

Soba noodles originated in the Tokugawa period – aka Edo (1603 – 1868) . People often eat soba noodles with sake in their meals. In each neighborhood, there are usually at least two establishments that specialize in this noodle dish.

Despite the affordable price, soba noodles are very popular because they are rich in thiamin and do not cause beriberi, which is common in white rice consumers.

Soba noodles ingredients

Soba noodles ingredients

The main ingredients for making soba noodles are buckwheat flour, with or without binder and water.

The binder is made from wheat flour and the name will change depending on the ratio of buckwheat flour to flour. For other types of noodles, the binder is usually made from chicken eggs (egg soba), Japanese yam, Nori seaweed (hegisoba), yams and Oyamabokuchi, etc.

Besides, there are sesame soba noodles (made from black sesame), soba nori (made from seaweed) and soba matcha (made from matcha),…

Some restaurants in Japan also add to the powder a variety of seasonal fruits such as Japanese pepper, bamboo shoots, large leaves, wakame seaweed, plums…

Popular types of soba noodles

Cold soba noodle dishes

Cold soba noodles

Cold soba noodles placed on a bamboo tray called “zaru” with dried nori seaweed sprinkled on top, dipped in “soba tsuyu” sauce – a rich mixture of dashi, sweet soy sauce (also known as “satōjōyu”) ) and mirin – next to it.

In addition, there are some types of cold soba noodles as follows:

Hiyashi soba: Cold soba noodles are usually served with a variety of seasonings sprinkled on top, then the broth is poured, including:

A Japanese yam (Tororo)

Oroshi (Grated Radish)

Fermented soybeans (Natto)

Sliced fresh okra

Some types of Soba noodles

Chilled soba noodles served on a flat basket or plate (Mori soba)

Cold soba noodles wrapped in seaweed (Soba maki)

Cold soba noodles mixed with sesame oil with vegetables (Soba salad)

Cold soba noodles topped with chopped seaweed (Zaru soba)

Hot soba noodle dishes

Hot soba noodles

Soba noodles are often eaten with hot tsuyu broth. Besides, the hot tsuyu is added with some seasoning and long sliced onion and paprika. In addition, hot soba noodles come in a variety of flavors and are seasoned with distinct spices.

Sorting Soba noodles by region

Sorting soba noodles by region

Every three months, buckwheat is harvested and made into “shin-soba” which has a rich sweetness and aroma. Buckwheat grown in Hokkaido is still the most famous.

However, in Nagano Prefecture the name “Shinshu soba” is also very popular.

The name of soba noodles is also very interesting and varied when placed according to region, city or province such as:

Etanbetsu soba with Etanbetsu is the central region of Hokkaido.

Izumo soba with Izumo being the city in Shimane.

Izushi soba with Isuzu is the city in Hyogo.

Shinshu soba or Shinano soba with Shinshu being the old name of Nagano Prefecture.

Soba noodles are usually used on what occasions?

Soba noodles eaten on New Year’s Day every year

Soba noodles are often eaten on New Year’s Day every year , people all over Japan have traditional soba noodles as a greeting for the new year.

In addition, the people of Tokyo also have the custom of giving soba to new neighbors, but the current custom has also decreased over time.

The right way to eat Soba noodles

For cold Soba noodles

How to eat cold soba noodles

The way to eat cold soba noodles is very sophisticated but will help you feel all the deliciousness of the noodles as well as the richness of the tsuyu sauce.

First chopsticks, you taste the noodles.

The second chopstick, you dip the noodles quickly into the sauce and eat right away. Although it may sound a bit odd, to the Japanese this is a way to show that this noodle dish is delicious.

Then, you add a little bit of cilantro, mustard to increase the flavor for the more fragrant and mouth-watering sauce, then enjoy.

For Hot Soba Noodles

How to eat hot soba noodles

The way to eat hot soba noodles is like the noodle and pho dishes in Vietnam. You eat hot soba noodles by lightly blanching the noodles and then adding a little stir-fried meat, sliced fish cakes, finely chopped boaro onions, vinegar-soaked ginger on top and pouring hot broth over the noodles.

Eating Soba noodles makes a sound? Notes when eating Soba noodles

Eating Soba noodles makes a sound?

Some notes when eating soba noodles

Usually, in Japan, people eat Soba noodles often making a very loud sound like “Pink, blister, blister” or “scratch”.

At first, we Vietnamese people will be allergic to this sound if there is a Japanese person sitting next to us while eating. However, it is a secret to eating Soba noodles in a delicious way.

Notes when eating Soba noodles

Usually, people will use cold soba noodles and then use hot soba noodles.

When dipping cold soba noodles, you only dip 1/3 of the noodles into the dipping sauce.

In Japan, there are also some noodle dishes called soba such as yakisoba, chukasoba, Okinawa Soba, but they are not made from buckwheat.

When you put the noodles in your mouth and make the appropriate loud sound, it’s a cultural trait in Japan, not an act of impoliteness.

Hopefully, through the above article, it will help you understand the information about Soba noodles as well as some of the best ways to eat when you have the opportunity to come to Japan and enjoy this dish!

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