Homemade Kitsune Soba

Ingredients

• 200g (7 oz) soba noodles 200g (7 oz) soba noodles
• 200g (7 oz) fried tofu (aburaage) 200g (7 oz) fried tofu (aburaage)
• 4 cups (950ml) dashi broth 4 cups (950ml) dashi broth
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon mirin 1 tablespoon mirin
• 1 tablespoon sugar 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced 2 green onions, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
• Shredded nori seaweed, for garnish Shredded nori seaweed, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories: 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat: 8g (1g saturated)
• Carbohydrates: 50g (5g sugars)
• Protein: 12g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Cook the soba noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water to remove excess starch. Set aside.
2. 2.
   In a small saucepan, combine the dashi broth, soy sauce, mirin, and sugar. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook for 5 minutes.
3. 3.
   Cut the fried tofu into thin strips and add them to the simmering broth. Cook for an additional 5 minutes to allow the tofu to absorb the flavors.
4. 4.
   Remove the tofu from the broth and set aside. Reserve the broth for serving.
5. 5.
   In a large skillet, heat the sesame oil over medium heat. Add the cooked soba noodles and toss gently to coat them in the oil. Cook for 2-3 minutes until heated through.
6. 6.
   Divide the soba noodles into serving bowls. Top each bowl with the fried tofu strips.
7. 7.
   Pour the reserved broth over the noodles and tofu.
8. 8.
   Garnish with sliced green onions, sesame seeds, and shredded nori seaweed.
9. 9.
   Serve hot and enjoy the authentic flavors of Kitsune Soba!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Fried tofu (aburaage) — Before adding the tofu to the broth, briefly soak it in hot water to remove excess oil and soften it. This will help the tofu absorb the flavors of the broth more effectively.

Tips & Tricks

• For a twist, add a splash of rice vinegar to the broth for a tangy flavor.
• If you prefer a spicier kick, sprinkle some shichimi togarashi (Japanese seven spice) over the finished dish.
• Feel free to add other toppings such as tempura flakes or grated daikon radish for added texture and flavor.
• If you can't find fried tofu, you can substitute it with grilled tofu or even thinly sliced omelette.
• To make the dish heartier, add some blanched vegetables like spinach or snow peas to the noodles before serving.

Serving advice

Serve Kitsune Soba hot in individual bowls, allowing each person to customize their toppings according to their preferences. Provide chopsticks and a spoon for easy enjoyment of the noodles and broth.

Presentation advice

To enhance the visual appeal of the dish, arrange the fried tofu strips on top of the soba noodles in an artful manner. Sprinkle the green onions, sesame seeds, and shredded nori seaweed evenly over the dish for a pop of color and texture.