Celebrate the essence of Japanese summer cuisine with this delightful recipe for Chilled Somen Noodles with Dipping Sauce! Perfect for hot days, these delicate, thin noodles are cooked briefly, then chilled in ice water to achieve a refreshing texture. Paired with a savory umami-rich dipping sauce made from dashi, soy sauce, mirin, and a hint of sweetness, this recipe is a true balance of flavor and simplicity. Topped with fresh green onions, fragrant grated ginger, crispy nori strips, and toasted sesame seeds, every bite is an invigorating experience. Quick and easy to prepare in just 25 minutes, this dish is ideal for light lunches or elegant appetizers. Serve alongside extra ice cubes in the dipping sauce to keep it perfectly chilled as you savor this classic Japanese treat.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the somen noodles to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions, usually about 2 to 3 minutes.
Immediately drain the noodles and rinse them under cold running water to stop the cooking process and remove excess starch. Transfer the noodles to a bowl of ice water to chill completely.
In a small saucepan, combine the dashi stock, soy sauce, mirin, and sugar. Heat the mixture over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and let the dipping sauce cool to room temperature. You can chill it further in the refrigerator if desired.
Prepare the toppings by slicing the green onions, grating the ginger, cutting the nori into strips, and toasting the sesame seeds if not already toasted.
Once the somen noodles are chilled, drain them well and divide them among serving plates.
Serve the noodles with the chilled dipping sauce on the side. Add ice cubes to keep the sauce cold if desired.
Garnish the noodles with sliced green onions, grated ginger, nori strips, and toasted sesame seeds.
To enjoy, dip the somen noodles into the sauce and savor the refreshing flavors.
Calories |
1658 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 9.4 g | 12% | |
| Saturated Fat | 1.6 g | 8% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.2 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 4969 mg | 216% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 342.3 g | 124% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 14.9 g | 53% | |
| Total Sugars | 40.8 g | ||
| Protein | 51.2 g | 102% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 168 mg | 13% | |
| Iron | 8.9 mg | 49% | |
| Potassium | 809 mg | 17% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.