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Fresh Japanese Cold Somen Noodles Recipe Easy Chilled Broth Guide

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A refreshing Japanese summer dish featuring thin somen noodles served with a subtly sweet, savory chilled dashi broth. Perfect for hot days, this recipe is quick, light, and satisfying.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 200g (7 oz) somen noodles
  • 3 cups (720 ml) dashi stock (instant powder or homemade from kombu and bonito flakes)
  • 3 tablespoons (45 ml) soy sauce (preferably light soy sauce)
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) mirin
  • 1 teaspoon (5 g) sugar
  • 1 teaspoon (5 g) grated ginger (optional)
  • 2 scallions, thinly sliced
  • A few shiso leaves, thinly sliced (optional)
  • A handful of ice cubes

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Dashi Broth: In a small saucepan, combine 3 cups (720 ml) dashi stock, 3 tablespoons (45 ml) soy sauce, 2 tablespoons (30 ml) mirin, 1 teaspoon (5 g) sugar, and grated ginger if using. Heat gently over medium heat until sugar dissolves, about 5 minutes. Do not boil vigorously.
  2. Chill the Broth: Remove from heat and cool to room temperature. Transfer to a mixing bowl, add ice cubes, stir gently, then refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight.
  3. Cook the Somen Noodles: Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add somen noodles and cook 2–3 minutes according to package instructions. Stir gently to prevent sticking.
  4. Drain and Rinse Noodles: Quickly drain noodles in a fine mesh strainer and rinse thoroughly under cold running water. Gently separate strands to remove excess starch.
  5. Serve: Divide noodles into serving bowls. Pour chilled broth over noodles or serve broth separately for dipping. Garnish with sliced scallions and shiso leaves.

Notes

Do not overcook somen noodles to maintain their silky texture. Rinse noodles thoroughly under cold water to stop cooking and remove starch. Chill broth overnight for best flavor. For vegan broth, use kombu-only dashi and tamari instead of soy sauce. Cook and rinse noodles ahead, toss with sesame oil to prevent sticking if preparing in advance. Add optional garnishes like yuzu juice, wasabi, or protein toppings for variation.

Nutrition

Keywords: somen noodles, cold noodles, Japanese recipe, chilled broth, summer dish, easy noodles, dashi broth, light meal

Find it online: https://merrymorsel.com/fresh-japanese-cold-somen-noodles-recipe-easy-chilled-broth-guide/