{"id":"recipe_dcac6172ed","slug":"classic-zaru-soba-chilled-buckwheat-noodles","title":"Classic Zaru Soba (Chilled Buckwheat Noodles)","description":"A refreshing and authentic Japanese dish featuring chilled buckwheat noodles served with a savory dashi-based dipping sauce, garnished with scallions and wasabi. Perfect for a light lunch.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":10,"totalMinutes":20,"activeMinutes":15},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"200g dried soba noodles","name":"Soba noodles","quantity":200,"unit":"g","usQuantity":7,"usUnit":"oz","form":"dried","notes":"buckwheat noodles","group":"Noodles","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"240ml dashi stock","name":"Dashi Stock","quantity":240,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"1","usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"kombu or bonito based stock","group":"Sauce","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"60ml soy sauce","name":"Soy Sauce","quantity":60,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"1/4","usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"","group":"Sauce","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"60ml mirin","name":"Mirin","quantity":60,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"1/4","usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"Japanese sweet rice wine","group":"Sauce","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"1 tsp granulated sugar","name":"Granulated Sugar","quantity":4,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"granulated","notes":"","group":"Sauce","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"1 scallion, thinly sliced","name":"Scallion","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"thinly sliced","notes":"green onion","group":"Garnish","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"1 tsp wasabi paste","name":"Wasabi","quantity":5,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"paste","notes":"to taste","group":"Garnish","optional":true},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"1/2 sheet nori seaweed, shredded","name":"Seaweed","quantity":1,"unit":"g","usQuantity":0.04,"usUnit":"oz","form":"shredded","notes":"Nori sheet","group":"Garnish","optional":true}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"In a small saucepan, combine the dashi, soy sauce, mirin, and sugar. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then immediately remove from the heat and let it cool completely. For a better experience, chill in the refrigerator.","group":"Preparation","title":"Combine the dashi, soy sauce, mirin, and sugar","timerMinutes":5,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the soba noodles and cook according to the package instructions (usually 4–5 minutes). Be careful not to overcook them.","group":"Cooking","title":"Bring a large pot of water","timerMinutes":5,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Drain the noodles in a colander and immediately rinse them under cold running water. Rub the noodles gently to remove excess starch. Transfer to a bowl of ice water for 1 minute to ensure they are properly chilled, then drain well.","group":"Cooking","title":"Drain the noodles","timerMinutes":1,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Place the chilled noodles on a bamboo mat (zaru) or a plate. Top with the shredded nori.","group":"Serving","title":"Place the chilled noodles","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Serving"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Serve the sauce in individual small cups. Provide the sliced scallions and wasabi on the side to be added to the sauce according to personal preference. To eat, dip a small amount of noodles into the sauce and enjoy.","group":"Serving","title":"Serve the sauce in individual small cups","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Serving"}],"notes":"Using high-quality dashi makes a significant difference in the flavor of the dipping sauce. If you prefer hot noodles, you can serve them in a warm broth using the same ingredients with a higher dashi-to-sauce ratio.","cuisine":{"group":"East Asian","specific":["Japanese"]},"course":["main"],"cookingMethod":["boil"],"equipment":["Large pot","Small saucepan","Colander","Bamboo serving mat","Small dipping bowls"],"diet":["vegetarian","low_fat","high_protein"],"allergens":["wheat","soy"],"difficulty":"easy","yield":{"amount":2,"unit":"serving","note":"Two standard lunch portions"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"The dipping sauce (Tsuyu) can be made up to 3 days in advance and kept in the refrigerator."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store leftover noodles separately from the sauce. Noodles are best eaten fresh but can be kept for 1 day; they may lose their texture.","reheatingNotes":"Best served cold; do not reheat the noodles."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_dcac6172ed%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=1947392d-9e6d-47b9-9833-2efe0db42650","imageAlt":"Classic Zaru Soba (Chilled Buckwheat Noodles) — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["soba","japanese","cold noodles","light lunch","buckwheat","vegetarian friendly"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Classic Zaru Soba (Chilled Buckwheat Noodles)","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T19:07:26.143Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T19:07:26.143Z","related":[{"id":"recipe_5bd7d18ba8","slug":"cantonese-steamed-rice-noodle-rolls-cheung-fun","title":"Cantonese Steamed Rice Noodle Rolls (Cheung Fun)","description":"A silky, smooth, and translucent Cantonese dim sum classic. These rice noodle rolls are steamed to perfection and typically filled with succulent shrimp or savory pork, then finished with a sweetened soy sauce.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":25},"cuisine":{"group":"East Asian","specific":["Cantonese"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"medium","diet":["dairy_free","egg_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_5bd7d18ba8%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=95ae143d-b901-4366-9657-7aa0c5bdad41","imageAlt":"Cantonese Steamed Rice Noodle Rolls (Cheung Fun) — recipe cover","tags":["dim sum","cantonese","rice noodles","steamed","shrimp","chinese breakfast"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":9,"stepCount":6},{"id":"recipe_8c98f14ca2","slug":"classic-fried-rice-chaofan","title":"Classic Fried Rice (Chǎofàn)","description":"A quick, savory, and satisfying East Asian staple featuring fluffy rice stir-fried with eggs, crisp vegetables, and a touch of soy sauce.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":10,"totalMinutes":20,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"East Asian","specific":["Chinese"]},"course":["main","side"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","nut_free","high_protein"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_8c98f14ca2%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=a9bd1aca-9eb5-41e5-8730-eac0148bdba5","imageAlt":"Classic Fried Rice (Chǎofàn) — recipe cover","tags":["fried-rice","quick","easy","leftover-rice","chinese-cuisine"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":9,"stepCount":6},{"id":"recipe_7d0223495d","slug":"classic-japanese-udon-soup","title":"Classic Japanese Udon Soup","description":"A comforting, traditional East Asian noodle soup featuring thick, chewy udon noodles in a delicate, savory dashi broth.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":20,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"East Asian","specific":["Japanese"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["dairy_free","low_fat"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_7d0223495d%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=b95b3407-aaaf-4a90-8153-c9dccf8a4049","imageAlt":"Classic Japanese Udon Soup — recipe cover","tags":["udon","noodles","soup","quick","comfort food","japanese"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":7,"stepCount":5}]}