Emergency Zaru Soba

Okay. If you were to actually make the proper version of zaru soba, it'd be more difficult (by like a hair). But I didn't have any dashi and I used the last of my mirin, so this is my "emergency" zaru soba sauce that's not from a bottle. It tastes way better when you have dashi stock instead of water, but meh. I work with what I got. :)


Emergency Zaru Soba
(serves 2)

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup sugar
• Water
• 1 cup ice cubes
• 1 green onion, diced
• Wasabi
• Sesame seeds (optional)
• 2 bundles (200g) buckwheat noodles

Directions:

1. In a medium pot, bring salted water to a boil. Cook noodles until al dente. When done, strain and rinse noodles under cold water a few times until noodles have cooled. Place in a bowl. Set aside.
2. In a small pot, dissolve sugar in soy sauce over medium heat. Take it off the heat and add ice cubes to cool sauce.
3. Add water to the sauce, if needed, to dilute. Without adding water, it'll still be quite strong.
4. Divide sauce into two smaller bowls. Whisk in wasabi, green onions and sesame seeds (optional).
5. Dip noodles into sauce and slurp! It's nice served with a deep fried pork chop or chicken strips.

If you're actually making zaru soba sauce properly, add less sugar and equal amounts of mirin to sugar. Also, add dashi stock to the soy sauce to "dilute" it. Careful not to dilute too much or when you add ice cubes, it'll be super bland. Alternatively, just let it cool to room temperature before chilling in the fridge if you have the time. :)