What are soba noodles?

The origins of soba noodles in Japan are traced to the Middle Ages, around the 12th or 13th century. Soba noodles were believed to have been initially consumed by Zen Buddhist monks. It is a simple mixture of buckwheat flour and water. What are soba noodles? However, due to its popularity, soba noodles are also made in other countries.

“Soba is a powerful, high-vibration food,” says Inaoka.

You can find soba noodles being produced and consumed in countries. Like South Korea, China, the United States, and other parts of Asia and the world, often in Japanese or Asian restaurants.

30 recommended popular dried noodles soba| What are soba noodles?

Commentary on how to boil deliciously

“Dried noodles soba” has a high shelf life. It is easy to use for occasions such as everyday dinner and New Year’s Eve.

Local flavors too! There are also local dried noodles such as Togakushi soba and Hegi sob. It is also attractive that you can easily enjoy the taste of various regions at home. Dried ramen noodles almost look like soba noodles.

Nonetheless, even if you want to buy dried soba noodles. There are not many people who are confused about which product to choose. Such as “What is the difference between nihachi soba and 100% soba?” Isn’t it?

This time, we will introduce how to choose dried soba noodles and 30 popular recommended products. We will also explain how to boil dried soba noodles deliciously and arrange menus, so please refer to it.

What does soba taste like?

Soba’s taste is a delightful harmony of nuttiness and earthiness. The buckwheat flour lends a distinct flavor, while its smooth texture complements savory broths or dipping sauces. A culinary delight that captivates with every bite. What are soba noodles? Read more in this post.

How to choose dried soba noodles

When choosing dried soba noodles, it is important to check the ratio of buckwheat flour. Type of soba noodles, local soba noodles, volume, and thickness. I will explain each point.

Check the ratio of buckwheat flour and the difference in flavor

Dried soba noodles are mainly made from buckwheat flour. However the proportion of buckwheat flour varies depending on the product. Let’s check the difference in the mixing ratio and the type of soba. What are soba noodles? Read more in this post.

Juwari Soba: You can fully enjoy the flavor and texture of soba.

Juwari soba is made from 100% buckwheat flour, without the use of wheat flour. The aroma and flavor of soba you can fully enjoy. Also, when you put it in your mouth, you will love the crunchy texture of the buckwheat flour.

Since there is no binding agent, the noodles tend to cut easily in the mouth, but juwari soba is unique. In that, the taste and aroma of the soba noodles spread softly from the cut parts. You can enjoy the flavor of soba more directly by eating simple dishes such as zaru soba.

Juwari soba retains the aroma and flavor of the buckwheat when the noodles are boiled. So you can enjoy it as sobayu. It is also recommended for those who want to stick to simple ingredients. Those who are conscious of gluten-free diets that limit their intake of flour.

Nihachi soba: easy to eat and easy to swallow

Nihachi soba is a type of soba made from a mixture of 80% buckwheat flour and 20% wheat flour. The addition of wheat flour makes the noodles supple. And you can enjoy the smoothness of the noodles as they go down your throat.

What are soba noodles? Read more in this post. This is the most common type of soba that is served at many soba restaurants.

Its charm is that both adults and children can enjoy it. The chewy texture is also a charm that juwari soba does not have. Making it perfect for those who value ease of eating. Cold soba, such as zaru soba, is delicious, as well as hot soba with hot soup.

Soba noodles near me:

Some famous and reputable online retailers where you can find soba noodles include Amazon, Walmart, and various Asian food specialty websites. It’s always a good idea to read reviews and check the ratings of the seller before purchasing. And have to ensure a positive shopping experience.

Grocery Stores: Most well-stocked grocery stores carry dried or fresh soba noodles in their international or Asian food sections. Learn more from this post What are soba noodles?

Less buckwheat flour: Enjoy the unique ingredients and different flavors

In addition to 100% buckwheat and 28% buckwheat, there are also products that contain only 40% or 50% buckwheat flour. Buckwheat noodles with a low proportion of buckwheat flour tend to be cheaper. Soba noodles are attracting the attention of people who want to keep costs down.

There are also products that use unique ingredients. Such as those that use less buckwheat flour to reduce carbohydrates by using yam as a binding agent. Or those that use highly nutritious Tartary buckwheat. 

It is perfect for those who want to enjoy something different from standard soba and to add nutrients other than buckwheat flour.

Choose the type with your taste, texture, and aroma in mind

The taste of dried soba differs depending on the manufacturing method and the type of buckwheat flour used. We will focus on Sarashina soba, Inaka soba, Yabu soba, and Tartary soba, and explain the characteristics of each.

Sarashina buckwheat: white with a sense of quality. Easy to swallow and has a faint sweetness.

Sarashina soba is a type of soba made from white buckwheat flour called ichibanko. Ichibanko is made by collecting only the center part of the endosperm. That comes out first when the buckwheat seeds are ground.

Tartary soba: Unique flavor. Contains rich nutrition

Tartary Buckwheat uses buckwheat flour ground from Tartary Buckwheat seeds as a raw material. It is characterized by a unique faint bitterness and a slightly yellowish appearance.

Tartary buckwheat contains more rutin, a type of polyphenol, than regular buckwheat. This soba is popular among those who want to be particular about nutrition. Learn more from this post What are soba noodles?

If you want to enjoy the taste unique to the region, pay attention to a local soba

Speaking of local soba, Nagano prefecture’s “Togakushi soba”, Shimane prefecture’s “Izumo soba”, and Iwate prefecture’s “Wanko soba” are famous as Japanese noodles three major sobas. But there are many other local sodas in various parts of Japan. 

Soba noodles exist. Normally, you would have to go to the local area to eat soba. But if you order dried cooking soba noodles, you can easily recreate the local taste at home.

It’s a good idea to enjoy the tastes of different regions. Such as Saitama Prefecture’s Chichibu Soba, Tokyo’s Jindaiji Soba, and Niigata Prefecture’s Hegi Soba. Learn more from this post What are soba noodles?

Check the capacity that matches the number of people and frequency of eating.

Chicken soba noodles how to make?

A simple and easy-to-understand recipe. Chicken soba is easy to make at home with few ingredients. The combination of juicy chicken thighs and refreshing soba is outstanding.

Ingredients (for 2 people)	How to make Prepare
Chicken thigh-280g green onion-5cm Soba (dried noodles)-200g hot water-1000ml	1stly, Remove excess skin and fat from chicken thighs. Cut the green onion into small pieces. Boil water in a pot, boil the soba according to the directions on the package, and drain.
(A) Mentsuyu (double concentrated)-200ml (A) Water-600ml (A) Mirin-1 tablespoon (A) Sugar-1 tablespoon Japanese-style granules-1 teaspoon	Put (A) in a pot and bring to a boil. Add chicken thighs and simmer over low heat for about 10 minutes. When the chicken thighs are cooked, add the Japanese-style dashi granules and heat over medium heat until the dashi has melted, then remove from heat. Then, Remove the chicken thighs and cut them into 1 cm wide strips. Finally, Arrange 2 on a plate, add 4, then top with 5 and 1 to complete.

FAQ