Zaru Soba (โซบะเย็น)

1.To prepare the mentsuyu sauce, rinse the kombu briefly under running water. Place it in a saucepan with the water and soak for about 15 minutes to extract the umami.

2.Add the soy sauce, mirin, and sugar to the saucepan. Bring to a boil, then immediately remove from the heat. Add the katsuobushi, cover, and let steep for about 15 minutes.

3.Strain the sauce to remove solids. Chill the clear mentsuyu thoroughly in the refrigerator.

4.Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add the soba noodles and stir gently to prevent sticking. When the water returns to a boil, add about 1 cup of cold water. This helps control the temperature and ensures even cooking. Once the water boils again, continue cooking until the noodles are just tender.

5.Drain the noodles in a colander and rinse immediately under cold running water to stop the cooking. Gently rub the noodles to remove excess starch, then drain well.

6.Divide the soba noodles into serving bowls. Serve with grated daikon, spring onion, wasabi, and toasted sesame seeds if desired. Enjoy by dipping the noodles into the chilled mentsuyu sauce.