Entree: Japan – Chugoku – 出雲そば ➤ Izumo soba (Rustic dark buckwheat noodles from Izumo served in hot dashi broth with traditional toppings)
Serving Size: 2
Approximate Time
Prep
20 min
Cook
10 min
Additional
7 min
Total
30 min
Ingredients
- 8 oz (225 g) Izumo-style soba noodles (dark buckwheat soba)
- 4 cups (960 ml) water (for dashi)
- 1 piece kombu (4 x 4 in / 10 x 10 cm), approx. 2 g
- 1/2 oz (15 g) katsuobushi (dried bonito flakes)
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) soy sauce
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) mirin
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) sake
- 1/2 tsp (2.5 g) sugar (optional)
- 2 large eggs, approx. 50 g each
- 1/2 cup (60 g) grated nagaimo or grated mountain yam (tororo)
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced (2 oz (60 g))
- 1 sheet nori, shredded (0.1 oz (3 g))
- 1 tsp (5 ml) toasted sesame oil or 1 tsp (2 g) toasted sesame seeds (optional)
Instructions
1. Make the dashi: in a medium saucepan combine 4 cups (960 ml) water and the kombu. Slowly heat until just before simmering, remove kombu, add katsuobushi, bring to a brief simmer for 30 seconds, then turn off heat and let sit 3–4 minutes. Strain through a fine sieve to yield clear dashi.
2. Return about 3 cups (720 ml) of the strained dashi to the saucepan, add soy sauce, mirin, sake, and sugar if using. Warm gently and taste; adjust seasoning to a slightly stronger flavor than usual since Izumo soba traditionally uses a robust broth.
3. Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil and cook the soba noodles according to package instructions until al dente, usually 4–5 minutes for fresh or 6–8 for dried. Drain and, if you prefer a hot-soup presentation, briefly rinse under hot water to remove excess starch and divide between two bowls.
4. Pour the hot broth over the noodles in each bowl. Spoon half the grated nagaimo (tororo) over each bowl, then crack one large egg into a small bowl and gently slide it into the hot broth (the heat will slightly cook the white while keeping the yolk soft).
5. Sprinkle sliced green onions and shredded nori over the bowls and finish with a drizzle of toasted sesame oil or a sprinkling of sesame seeds if desired. Stir gently and serve immediately.
