Otsu – Japanese Cha Soba noodle salad

Ingredients for 4 servings:

• 160 g soba noodles, very good quality, preferably with green tea
• salt water
• 1 red bell pepper(s), peeled, julienne cut
• 1 small cucumber(s) or 1/3 cucumber, cut into 5 mm thick slices
• 4 tbsp sesame seeds, roasted without oil
• 160 g smoked tofu, firm, cut into 1 cm cubes or chicken breast
• 2 tbsp rapeseed oil or other neutral oil
• 1 pinch of salt
• 1 handful of coriander leaves, finely chopped
• 2 stalks of spring onion(s), cut into fine rings
• 3 tbsp soy sauce, best quality
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar, brown
• 3 tbsp sake
• 1 tbsp mirin
• 2 tbsp sesame oil
• ½ tsp Japanese seasoning mix (Shichimi Togarashi – 7-spice)
• 1 tsp powdered sugar

Instructions

Working time approx. 20 minutes; Rest time approx. 30 minutes; Cooking/baking time approx. 5 minutes; Total time approx. 55 minutes

summer salad with buckwheat noodles as a starter

First, combine all the ingredients for the vinaigrette, bring to a boil briefly, and then cool the liquid back to room temperature. This helps the vinaigrette blend better and removes any alcohol. Only now add the shichimi togarashi and mix well. Cook the soba noodles in a little salted water for 4-5 minutes according to the package instructions. Then rinse well with cold water and set aside to drain. Fry the tofu in oil until lightly browned all over, adding a little salt if desired. Mix well with the noodles, sliced ​​bell pepper, and cucumber, and toss with the vinaigrette. Divide between 4 plates and scatter the sesame seeds and, if desired, cilantro over the top. Tip: If you can’t get shichimi togarashi, mix a little chili powder, Sichuan peppercorn with orange or lemon zest, and some crumbled nori sheet and poppy seeds. All of these ingredients unintentionally create a vegan dish. Meat lovers could substitute the tofu with the same amount of chicken breast. The recipe describes an appetizer in terms of quantity. Make sure to use high-quality ingredients. I can get authentic Japanese soba noodles (buckwheat noodles) with green tea. Regular soba noodles are also possible, of course.