Looking for a light, refreshing, and easy meal for summer? Zaru Soba — chilled Japanese buckwheat noodles served with a savory dipping sauce — is your go-to dish. It’s not only quick to prepare, but it’s also vegetarian-friendly, making it perfect for hot days when you want something cool and satisfying.
🥢 What Is Zaru Soba?
Zaru Soba (ざるそば) is a classic Japanese dish made with cold soba noodles served on a bamboo tray (called a zaru) with a dipping sauce known as mentsuyu. The noodles are typically topped with traditional garnishes like chopped scallions, wasabi, and grated daikon radish.
This simple yet flavorful dish is especially popular in Japan during the summer months — and it’s incredibly easy to make at home!
🍽 Ingredients
For the Soba:
- 200g dried soba noodles (buckwheat noodles)
- Cold water + ice cubes (for chilling noodles)
For the Dipping Sauce (Mentsuyu):
Optional Garnishes:
- Chopped green onions
- Wasabi
- Grated daikon radish
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Cook the Soba Noodles
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the soba noodles and cook according to the package instructions (usually 5–7 minutes).
Once cooked, immediately drain and rinse the noodles under cold running water to stop the cooking process. Rub them gently to remove excess starch. Transfer to a bowl of ice water to chill.
2. Prepare the Dipping Sauce
In a small saucepan, combine soy sauce, mirin, dashi, and sugar. Bring to a gentle simmer, then turn off the heat. Let it cool to room temperature, then chill in the fridge.
Pro tip: You can make the dipping sauce in advance and store it in a bottle for up to a week.
3. Assemble and Serve
Drain the cold soba and place on a bamboo mat or plate. Top with shredded nori.
Pour the chilled dipping sauce into small individual bowls. Serve the noodles with garnishes like green onions, wasabi, and daikon on the side. Dip and enjoy!
🧊 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- ❄️ Cool & Refreshing – Perfect for hot summer days.
- ⏱️ Quick & Easy – Ready in under 20 minutes.
- 🌱 Vegetarian-Friendly – And can easily be made vegan.
- 🍜 Authentically Japanese – A restaurant-style experience at home.
🌶️ Want a Spicy Kick?
Add a dab of wasabi or stir in a bit of gochujang (Korean chili paste) to your dipping sauce for a spicy fusion twist!
📌 Zaru Soba Tips
- Use quality soba noodles with a high buckwheat content for the best flavor and texture.
- If you don’t have a bamboo tray, a chilled plate or colander will work fine.
- Want it vegan? Just make sure your dashi is made from kombu (kelp) instead of bonito flakes.
🥢 Try This Japanese Summer Favorite
Zaru Soba is more than just a meal — it’s a refreshing escape from the heat and a flavorful way to explore Japanese cuisine. Whether you’re new to soba noodles or already a fan, this recipe is a must-try.
💬 Craving more Japanese dishes like this?
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