Cold Sesame Soba

Ingredients

• 200 g soba noodles (buckwheat)
• 1 medium cucumber
• 3 tbsp toasted sesame paste (tahini or Japanese sesame paste)
• 1.5 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tsp honey
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1 clove garlic(optional)
• 0.5 tsp ginger(optional)
• 2 tbsp water (for thinning sauce)
• 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds(optional)
• 1 tsp neutral oil (for rinsing/loosening, optional)(optional)

Instructions

1. 1

   Bring a pot of water to a boil. Cook the soba noodles according to package directions (about 8–10 minutes), then drain.

2. 2

   Rinse the noodles under cold running water until cooled and no longer sticky. Shake off excess water (and toss briefly with a tiny splash of neutral oil if needed to keep them from clumping).

3. 3

   In a bowl, whisk sesame paste, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, sesame oil, and (if using) grated garlic and ginger. Whisk in 2 tbsp water a little at a time until the sauce is creamy and pourable.

4. 4

   Slice the cucumber thinly. Toss the chilled soba with the sesame sauce until evenly coated. Serve topped with cucumber and sesame seeds (if using).