This Soba Noodle Soup is warm and comforting, packed with delicious buckwheat noodles and fresh veggies. It’s like a hug in a bowl on a chilly day!
Making this soup feels like magic. Just boil the noodles, toss in some tasty greens, and let it simmer—easy peasy! I love adding a splash of soy sauce for extra flavor. Yum!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Soba Noodles: These buckwheat noodles are the star of this dish! They have a nutty flavor. If you can’t find soba, try whole wheat spaghetti or udon noodles as alternatives, but keep in mind they have different textures.
Dashi Stock: Dashi gives an authentic umami flavor. If it’s not available, vegetable or chicken broth works fine. You could even make your own dashi using dried kombu and bonito flakes, which is not that hard!
Wakame Seaweed: This seaweed enriches the soup, adding a hint of ocean flavor. If you can’t find wakame, consider using spinach or other leafy greens for a fresh touch.
Mirin: Mirin adds sweetness. If you don’t have it, you can use sugar mixed with a bit of water or white wine as a substitute. This will adjust the flavor, but it will still taste delightful!
How Do I Get Perfectly Soft Boiled Eggs?
Soft boiled eggs add a lovely touch to your soup, but timing is key! Here are some straightforward steps:
- Start by boiling water in a pot. When it’s at a rolling boil, gently add the eggs.
- Cook them for 6-7 minutes, depending on how runny you like the yolks.
- Once they’re done, transfer them to a bowl of ice water for a few minutes to stop further cooking.
- Peel them gently under running water for easier removal of the shell.
This method will give you that perfect, creamy yolk that pairs wonderfully with your soba noodles!
How to Make Soba Noodle Soup
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For The Soup:
- 8 oz soba noodles (buckwheat noodles)
- 4 cups dashi stock (or substitute with vegetable or chicken broth)
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp mirin (sweet rice wine)
- 1 tbsp sake (optional)
For The Toppings:
- 2 soft boiled eggs, halved
- 1 cup fresh or rehydrated wakame seaweed
- 1/2 cup sautéed maitake mushrooms (or other mushrooms), sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds
- 3 green onions, thinly sliced
- 2 sheets of nori (seaweed), cut into pieces
- Toasted sesame seeds for garnish (optional)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delicious Soba Noodle Soup takes around 30 minutes in total. You’ll need about 10 minutes for preparation and another 20 minutes for cooking and assembling. Perfect for a cozy dinner or a quick lunch!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare the Soft Boiled Eggs:
Start by boiling the eggs. Place them in a pot of water, bring it to a boil, and then reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook for 6-7 minutes for that perfect soft yolk. Once time is up, transfer the eggs to a bowl of icy cold water to stop the cooking. After a few minutes, peel the eggs and set them aside.
2. Cook the Soba Noodles:
Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the soba noodles according to the package instructions—usually about 4-5 minutes. Once cooked, drain the noodles and rinse them under cold water to remove excess starch and stop the cooking process. Set the noodles aside.
3. Make the Broth:
In a large pot, combine the dashi stock, soy sauce, mirin, and sake (if using). Heat the mixture over medium heat until it starts to simmer. This flavorful broth is the heart of the soup!
4. Add the Wakame Seaweed:
Carefully add the wakame seaweed to the simmering broth. Let it cook for about 2-3 minutes, just until it becomes tender and flavorful.
5. Sauté the Mushrooms:
In a separate pan, lightly sauté the maitake mushrooms or your choice of mushrooms over medium heat until they are tender. Sprinkle them with toasted sesame seeds for a delightful crunch.
6. Assemble the Soup:
Divide the cooked soba noodles between serving bowls. Then, ladle the hot broth with the wakame seaweed over the noodles. Top each bowl with the sautéed mushrooms, soft boiled egg halves, sliced green onions, and pieces of nori. The colors and textures will be beautiful!
7. Garnish and Serve:
If you’d like, sprinkle some extra toasted sesame seeds on top for garnish. Serve your warming Soba Noodle Soup immediately while hot. Grab some chopsticks and enjoy every slurp!
Can I Use Regular Pasta Instead of Soba Noodles?
Yes, you can use regular pasta as a substitute! Whole wheat spaghetti or udon are good alternatives, but keep in mind that the texture and flavor will be different. Just follow the cooking instructions on the package for those noodles.
What Can I Use Instead of Dashi Stock?
If you don’t have dashi stock, vegetable broth or chicken broth works well as an alternative. You can also try making a simple dashi substitute by simmering water with dried mushrooms or using a splash of soy sauce for added umami.
Can I Make This Soup Vegan?
Absolutely! Just use vegetable broth instead of dashi stock and skip the soft boiled eggs or replace them with tofu for protein. All the veggies and toppings will still give you a delicious and satisfying meal!
How Should I Store Leftovers?
Store any leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, it’s best to warm the broth separately and add the noodles, as they can become mushy if stored in the broth. Enjoy your soup again soon!