Recipe

Mori Soba with Tempura Crumbs

Savory Delight: Mori Soba with a Crunchy Twist

4.4 out of 5

Indulge in the flavors of Japanese cuisine with this authentic Mori Soba recipe. Mori Soba, meaning "forest noodles," is a traditional dish that showcases the simplicity and elegance of Japanese flavors.

Noodle Dish› Mori soba

Asian cuisine› East Asian cuisine› Japanese cuisine

Preparation time

15 minutes

Cooking time

5 minutes

Total time

20 minutes

Yields

4 servings

Preparation difficulty

Easy

Suitable for

Vegetarian, Vegan (if using a vegan-friendly soy sauce), Gluten-free (if using gluten-free buckwheat noodles and tamari instead of soy sauce), Dairy-free, Nut-free

Allergens

Wheat (if using regular buckwheat noodles), Soy

Not suitable for

Paleo, Keto, Low-carb, High-protein, Whole30

Ingredients

200g (7 oz) buckwheat noodles 200g (7 oz) buckwheat noodles
2 cups (470ml) water 2 cups (470ml) water
1/4 cup (60ml) soy sauce 1/4 cup (60ml) soy sauce
1/4 cup (60ml) mirin 1/4 cup (60ml) mirin
1 tablespoon (15ml) rice vinegar 1 tablespoon (15ml) rice vinegar
1 tablespoon (15ml) sesame oil 1 tablespoon (15ml) sesame oil
2 green onions, thinly sliced 2 green onions, thinly sliced
2 sheets of nori seaweed, cut into thin strips 2 sheets of nori seaweed, cut into thin strips
Tempura crumbs (for garnish) Tempura crumbs (for garnish)
Optional toppings: grated daikon radish, wasabi, shichimi togarashi (Japanese seven spice) Optional toppings: grated daikon radish, wasabi, shichimi togarashi (Japanese seven spice)

Nutrition

Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
Fat (total, saturated): 4g, 0.5g
Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 62g, 6g
Protein: 10g
Fiber: 6g
Salt: 3g

Preparation

1.
Cook the buckwheat noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool them down.
2.
In a small saucepan, combine the soy sauce, mirin, rice vinegar, and water. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let it cool.
3.
In a large bowl, combine the chilled noodles with sesame oil and toss gently to coat.
4.
Divide the noodles into individual serving bowls. Pour the tsuyu dipping sauce into small individual bowls for each person.
5.
Garnish the noodles with green onions, nori seaweed, and a generous sprinkle of tempura crumbs.
6.
Serve the Mori Soba with optional toppings such as grated daikon radish, wasabi, and shichimi togarashi.
7.
Dip the noodles into the tsuyu sauce and enjoy the refreshing flavors of Mori Soba.

Treat your ingredients with care...

Buckwheat noodles — Be careful not to overcook the noodles as they can become mushy. Rinse them under cold water immediately after cooking to stop the cooking process and cool them down.
Tempura crumbs — You can make your own tempura crumbs by frying small pieces of tempura batter until crispy and then crushing them into crumbs. Alternatively, you can find pre-made tempura crumbs at Asian grocery stores.

Tips & Tricks

For a refreshing twist, add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to the tsuyu dipping sauce.
Customize your Mori Soba by adding your favorite toppings such as sliced cucumber, pickled ginger, or sesame seeds.
If you prefer a spicier kick, add a few drops of chili oil to the tsuyu sauce.
To make the dish more substantial, serve it with a side of grilled chicken or tofu.
If you can't find buckwheat noodles, you can substitute them with soba noodles or even udon noodles for a different texture.

Serving advice

Serve Mori Soba chilled, as it is traditionally enjoyed during hot summer months in Japan. It makes for a light and refreshing meal, perfect for lunch or a light dinner.

Presentation advice

Arrange the noodles neatly in individual bowls and garnish them with vibrant green onions, nori seaweed, and a generous sprinkle of tempura crumbs. The contrasting colors and textures will make the dish visually appealing.