Light and Easy: Wasabi Soba Salad

One of my favorite Japanese meals is Zaru Soba --- cold buckwheat noodles garnished with a bit of nori strips and leeks that you dip into a sauce. It usually costs around P180-200 per order in many Japanese restaurants. A few years ago I started making this in my own kitchen and was very happy with the money the money saved and the convenience of a quick meal. Each pack of five bundles of soba is only around P60-80, fyi.

Deciding to be more creative, I experimented in turning this meal into a cold noodle salad which my husband has requested to put in his lunch box for the second time this week.

WASABI SOBA SALAD

Noodles:

Place one bundle of soba in a pot of boiling water. After 3-5 minutes, rinse in cold water, strain and place in a bowl.

Dressing:

In a separate bowl, I combine approximate portions of the following ingredients:

-2 tsp sunflower oil
-2 tsp sesame oil
-3 tsp vinegar
-4 tsp Kikkoman soy sauce
-2-3 tsp plum sauce
-1 sheet of nori
-1 long stem of leek
-wasabi
-1 clove minced garlic

Just throw in everything and mix thoroughly. Adjust with freshly cracked pepper. It's up to you to adjust the taste depending on the flavor you desire. I enjoy the fragrance of sesame with the sweet-sour taste and subtle kick of wasabi.

Cut the nori and leek into thin strips and mix in the bowl of noodles. Then, pour the dressing and coat the noodles and vegetables evenly.

Cover the bowl and leave in the fridge for at least two hours. Serve cold, and enjoy!