Japanese · Lunch

Cold Soba Noodle Salad Recipe

This cold soba noodle salad recipe tosses buckwheat noodles with edamame, cucumber and carrot in a sesame, soy and rice vinegar dressing. It is quick, refreshing and holds up in a lunchbox.

Soba is rinsed in cold water after cooking, so it stays springy rather than sticky, and the salad is just as good on day two, which makes it a reliable make-ahead lunch.

Serves

4

Prep

15 min

Cook

5 min

Per serving

350 kcal

Ingredients

  • 250 g dried soba noodles
  • 200 g shelled edamame
  • 1 cucumber, cut into matchsticks
  • 1 carrot, grated
  • 2 spring onions, sliced
  • 3 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp rice vinegar (not counted)
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil
  • 2 tsp honey or sugar
  • 1 tsp grated ginger
  • 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds

Method

  1. 1Cook the soba according to the packet, usually 4–5 minutes. Add the edamame for the last 2 minutes.
  2. 2Drain and rinse under cold running water, rubbing the noodles gently to remove the starch. Drain well.
  3. 3Whisk the soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey and ginger.
  4. 4Toss the noodles and edamame with the cucumber, carrot, spring onions and dressing.
  5. 5Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve cold.

Cold soba noodle salad recipe: nutrition per serving

Calories

350 kcal

Protein

17 g · 18%

Carbs

59 g · 63%

Fat

8 g · 19%

One of 4 servings. Estimated from the ingredient weights above and per-100 g values in USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy); brands and cooking change the real numbers. Not counted, because USDA SR Legacy has no record for them: rice vinegar.

Tips

  • Cut the vegetables into thin matchsticks about the length of a finger so they twist into the noodles instead of falling to the bottom.
  • Rinsing is not optional: it stops soba from clumping.
  • Pack the dressing separately if you're making it the night before.

Swaps and variations

  • Gluten-free: use 100% buckwheat soba and gluten-free tamari.
  • Add cooked chicken, salmon or tofu for more protein.

Storage

Keeps 2 days in the fridge, dressed or undressed.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Soba made with a high share of buckwheat has a bit more protein and fibre than wheat noodles, but the difference is modest. Portion size and what you add matter more.

Sources: USDA FoodData Central records used