Cold Sesame Soba with Cucumber

Ingredients

• 200 g soba noodles (buckwheat)
• 1 medium cucumber
• 2 stalks scallions
• 3 tbsp sesame paste (tahini) or ground sesame paste
• 1.5 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tsp honey or sugar
• 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
• 2-4 tbsp water (to thin sauce)(optional)
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds(optional)

Instructions

1. 1

   Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the soba noodles according to package directions (about 5–7 minutes).

2. 2

   Drain the noodles and rinse under cold water until chilled. Shake off excess water.

3. 3

   While noodles cook, thin the sesame sauce: whisk sesame paste, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey (or sugar), and sesame oil; add water 1 tbsp at a time until creamy and pourable.

4. 4

   Slice cucumber into thin ribbons or matchsticks and thinly slice scallions.

5. 5

   Toss chilled soba with the sesame sauce until evenly coated. Top with cucumber and scallions (and sesame seeds if using). Serve immediately.