15-Minute Sesame Soba Noodle Bowl
This sesame soba noodles makes a terrific weeknight dinner. Topped with crumbled seaweed and fried dumplings, you’ll have a hassle-free simple soba noodle bowl ready in 15 minutes. Serve warm.
Soba noodles (aka buckwheat noodles) are becoming more popular in the western world. I call it a good phenomenon.
Soba (そば) is a type of Japanese noodle made from buckwheat flour, similar to buckwheat pasta. In Japan, these noodles are commonly referred to as “soba noodles” or “zaru soba,” while in Korea they are known as “maemil” (메밀).
I grow up eating lots of buckwheat noodle dishes, especially in the summer time in Korea. So I can consider myself a buckwheat buddy.
Out of all sorts of delicious noodle recipes, my all-time favorite would be the buckwheat noodle dish. It is often topped with fermented summer kimchi with spicy sauce. I also often enjoy the same noodles in a cold radish broth – I need to post a recipe for that one soon, so keep your eyes peeled!
Quick and easy sesame soba noodle recipe
This vegetarian friendly Japanese buckwheat noodle dish is my recent indulgence, and they always turn out very tasty with their unique nutty flavor.
Besides, I couldn’t be any happier about how quickly it came together. Only 15 minutes! That’s ridiculously quick and simple. Plus it makes a budget friendly Asian dinner to anyone and anytime.
So, do you eat soba noodles hot or cold?
I like them both ways depending on the recipes. But with this recipe, I like it warm.
I topped my oodles of noodles with crumbled seaweed and pan-fried dumplings to make it a complete meal. Voila! you’ve got an abundant noodle bowl (or noodle salad depending on how you see it) to comfort a growling stomach.
Ingredients list
- dried soba noodles: aka buckwheat noodles (You can also use plain wheat flour noodles for this recipe)
- green onion: need lots of them! (2 bunches)
- soy sauce: preferably low sodium
- brown sugar: you can also use white sugar or honey
- sesame oil: you will need 3 tablespoons. Do you see the size of my yellow oil container?
- rice vinegar
- ginger puree: or use minced fresh ginger
- toasted sesame seeds
How to make sesame soba noodle bowl
Step 1. Make the sauce and chop green onion
Mix all the sauce ingredients in a small bowl and set aside. Chop green onion. Yes, you will use the entire 2 bunches.
Step 2. Cook the soba noodles
What are tips for cooking soba noodles? Add cold water when boiling the noodles. It will make them chewier.
- Cook your buckwheat noodles according to the package directions (usually 3-4 minutes)
- When the water comes to a full boil, pour a little bit of cold water to calm the water down. Add more water as it boils up again. This tempering helps the noodle texture to be chewier.
- Rinse the noodles under cold running water to cool completely. Drain the noodles and set aside.
Step 3. Put together with sauce
- Heat the oil in a wok or skillet and stir-fry half of the green onion for 30 seconds.
- Add the sauce and bring to boil and thicken for 15 seconds.
- Add the noodles and the remaining green onion and toss through. Sprinkle with sesame seeds at the end.
Serving Suggestion
I like to serve this simple soba dish by topping with crumbled roasted sesame seeds. If you want to add some protein to your meal, serve with fried tofu, dumplings, or grilled chicken (or shrimp) depending on your diet preference.
I also recommend vegan kimchi as a side dish to accompany the noodles. It’s a win-win combination.
Don’t mind slurping more noodles?
If you enjoy Asian noodles, here are a few recipes I recommend you to try. They are all easy and simple to prepare.
- Easy Japchae Recipe (Korean Glass Noodles)
- Hong Kong Style Cantonese Pan-Fried Noodles
- Jjajangmyeon (Korean Black Bean Noodles)
- 5-Minute Kimchi Ramen
- Jjamppong Recipe (Korean Seafood Noodle Soup)
15-Minute Sesame Soba Noodle Bowl
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 3 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp brown sugar or honey
- 1 tsp ginger paste
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 10 oz buckwheat (soba) noodles
- 1 tbsp oil
- 2 bunch green onion, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1 cup crumbled roasted seaweed, optional
Instructions
- Mix soy sauce, sesame oil, vinegar, brown sugar, ginger, pepper in a mixing bowl; set aside. Chop green onion finely.
- Cook your buckwheat noodles according to the package directions (usually 3-4 minutes) When the water comes to a full boil, pour a little bit of cold water to calm the water down. Add more water as it boils up again. This tempering helps the noodle texture to be chewier. Rinse the noodles under cold running water to cool completely. Drain the noodles and set aside.
- Heat the oil in a wok or skillet and saute half of the green onion for 30 seconds. Add the sauce and bring to boil and thicken for 15 seconds.
- Add the noodles and the remaining green onion and toss through. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and crumbled seaweed (if using) on top.
Wonderful– I topped it with stir-fried broccoli, mushrooms, and red peppers.
I made this tonight along with your Korean Cucumber Salad. They were both wonderful! They made for a quick light dinner, perfect for the hot weather we’re having in the Pacific Northwest.
Hi Tiffany
Korean cucumber salad sound great with this noodle dish. I am glad that you liked it. Thanks for the comment.
This sounds delicious and I can’t wait to try it. Is “ginger puree” the same as grated ginger? Thanks in advance!
Ginger puree is from grated ginger. If using grated ginger, use a slightly less amount. Hope you like this noodles. Thanks.
Love how simple this sesame soba noodle is! One of our favourites!
This looks terrific — such a nice mix of flavors. Love noodles, all kinds, and soba are particularly nice. Thanks!