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The Recipe · No.487 · Soba Noodles

Soba Noodles, and where to source it

Soba Noodles — 5best2buy.com 5BEST2BUY.COM Soba Noodles Japanese 5best2buy.com

Buckwheat soba wants to be cooked in lots of hard-boiling water and then shocked and scrubbed cold, because the surface starch turns gummy the second it cools. Rinsing under cold running water while rubbing the strands is what gives them that clean, springy snap.

By Vince Gonzalez · Published July 2026 · Sourcing verified 5 Jul 2026

Prep5 min
Cook8 min
Makes2 servings
CuisineJapanese
Cost$
Dairy-free
Contains  gluten · fish · soy · sesame
Make it gluten-free: swap in tamari instead of soy sauce (check the other labels too).
The Ingredients — and where to get them
Cook for 2 servings
Soba noodles
Buckwheat noodles with a nutty edge; look for a high buckwheat percentage.
7 oz
Source it →
Soy sauce
The base of the tsuyu dipping sauce along with mirin and dashi.
1/4 cup
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Toasted sesame seeds
Ground or whole, stirred into the dip or the noodles for aroma.
1 tbsp
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Dashi, scallion & nori
Dashi builds the dip; scallion and shredded nori garnish; grate a little wasabi if you have it.
to taste
Dashi → Nori →
The Rundown
Greedometer ●●●●● Squeaky clean
About as virtuous as dinner gets.
EffortSome doing
Cook it with
One-pot
The Method
  1. Make the dipSimmer dashi, soy, and mirin for 2 minutes, then chill it fully.
  2. Boil hardCook soba in a large pot of unsalted boiling water for the package time, usually 4 to 5 minutes.
  3. Shock and scrubDrain and rinse under cold running water, rubbing the strands with your hands to strip the surface starch.
  4. Drain wellShake off every drop so the noodles do not water down the dip.
  5. ServePile the noodles on a slatted tray, pour the cold dip into cups, and add scallion and nori.
The Toolkit

Large pot · Colander · Slatted tray · Dipping cups

Straight Answers
Can you make Soba Noodles in an air fryer? — Sometimes

Sometimes — if the pieces are small and cooked dry, an air fryer can handle it in a single layer; anything saucy or liquid needs a pan. When in doubt, the stovetop or oven is the safe call.

Can you freeze Soba Noodles? — Yes

Yes — it freezes well. Cool it fully, portion into airtight containers, and it keeps a few months; thaw in the fridge and reheat gently.

Can you make Soba Noodles ahead of time? — Yes

Yes — it needs the chill time to set, so making it ahead is the whole point.

Is Soba Noodles gluten-free? — Not as written

Not as written — it contains gluten. Make it gluten-free: swap in tamari instead of soy sauce (check the other labels too).

Is Soba Noodles vegan? — No

No — it contains seafood, so it isn’t vegetarian or vegan.

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