In the realm of Japanese cuisine, cold somen noodles stand out as a refreshing and versatile dish, perfect for hot summer days. The key to elevating this simple dish lies in the accompanying dipping sauces, which can transform a bowl of plain noodles into a symphony of flavors. From the classic mentsuyu to the innovative sesame-based sauce, and the unique yuzu-kosho, there is a dipping sauce for every palate. Whether you prefer a light and refreshing sauce or a rich and flavorful one, this article will guide you through the best cold somen dipping sauce recipes, ensuring an unforgettable culinary experience.
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JAPANESE COLD SOMEN NOODLES
Cold somen noodles served with grated ginger, scallion, and a delicious dipping sauce called Tsuyu. This is a perfect Japanese noodle recipe for hot summer days.
Provided by Namiko Chen
Categories Main Course
Time 15m
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- [Optional] Traditional Japanese restaurants tie up the noodles to enhance the appearance of the somen and this is how you do it. Tie the edge of somen noodles with cooking twine. This way noodles will stay in one direction while cooking. I normally skip this step for home use.
- In a large pot, bring water to a boil. When boiling, remove the wrapper.
- Add the somen noodles in the boiling water (do not add salt!). Stir noodles with chopsticks so they don't stick to each other. Cook according to the package instructions. If necessary, add a little bit of cold water in the pot to prevent overflowing.
- Drain somen in a colander and wash the noodles with hands under running water.
- Once the noodles are cold, find the knotted parts of somen noodles and pick them up. Cut off the edge and discard. Hold each bundle gently and arrange it nicely on a serving plate. Somen can be served with ice to keep cool.
- Cut the scallion finely and grate the ginger. Put them in small dishes.
- Pour mentsuyu in individual dipping sauce bowls and add iced water to dilute. I recommend making homemade mentsuyu but if you're too busy, get a bottle of mentsuyu like this. See the instructions. You can check the ratio of mentsuyu to water on this page. This brand recommends 1:3.
- Put a small portion of scallion and ginger in the dipping sauce and dip the somen noodles to enjoy! To make it more filling, you can bulk up the noodles by tossing in other ingredients such as shredded egg crepes (see How to Make Kinshi Tamago), julienned cucumbers, boiled okra, and ham.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 361 kcal, Carbohydrate 69 g, Protein 16 g, Fat 3 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, Sodium 672 mg, Fiber 6 g, Sugar 11 g, UnsaturatedFat 2 g, ServingSize 1 serving
EASIEST DIPPING SAUCE
With only two ingredients, this is the easiest recipe ever! It is also so versatile--use it to dip breadsticks, mozzarella sticks, calamari, or as a substitution for pizza sauce. Serve cold or warm.
Provided by JULIE0330
Categories Side Dish Sauces and Condiments Recipes Sauce Recipes
Time 5m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 2
Steps:
- Mix tomato sauce and ranch dressing together in a bowl until combined.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 44.3 calories, Carbohydrate 2 g, Cholesterol 2 mg, Fat 3.9 g, Fiber 0.5 g, Protein 0.5 g, SaturatedFat 0.6 g, Sodium 232.3 mg, Sugar 1.5 g
COLD SOBA NOODLES WITH DIPPING SAUCE
In Japan, where it gets plenty hot in the summer, cold soba noodles, served with a dipping sauce, are a common snack or light meal. Soba are brown noodles, made from wheat and buckwheat, and the sauce is based on dashi, the omnipresent Japanese stock. You would recognize the smell of dashi in an instant, even if you have never knowingly eaten it. It's a brilliant concoction based on kelp, a seaweed and dried bonito flakes. It is also among the fastest and easiest stocks you can make, and its two main ingredients - which you can buy in any store specializing in Asian foods - keep indefinitely in your pantry. I would encourage you to try making it, though you can also use chicken stock (or instant dashi, which is sold in the same stores).
Provided by Mark Bittman
Categories dinner, easy, lunch, quick, noodles, main course, side dish
Time 30m
Yield 2 to 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil, and salt it. Cook noodles until tender but not mushy. Drain, and quickly rinse under cold running water until cold. Drain well.
- Combine dashi or stock, soy sauce and mirin. Taste, and add a little more soy if the flavor is not strong enough. Serve noodles with garnishes, with sauce on side for dipping (or spooning over).
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 233, UnsaturatedFat 1 gram, Carbohydrate 46 grams, Fat 1 gram, Fiber 0 grams, Protein 11 grams, SaturatedFat 0 grams, Sodium 1411 milligrams, Sugar 1 gram
DIPPING SAUCE
Dipping sauce for a fried onion.
Provided by jodi
Categories Side Dish Sauces and Condiments Recipes Sauce Recipes
Time 5m
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- In a small bowl combine mayonnaise, ketchup, horseradish, paprika, salt, oregano, black pepper and cayenne pepper. Store, covered, in the refrigerator.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 68.2 calories, Carbohydrate 0.9 g, Cholesterol 3.5 mg, Fat 7.3 g, Fiber 0.1 g, Protein 0.1 g, SaturatedFat 1.1 g, Sodium 117.7 mg, Sugar 0.5 g
HIYASHI SOMEN - COLD NOODLES WITH DIPPING SAUCE MARK BITTMAN
Simple, quick and cold. This seems like the perfect hot summer lunch or light dinner! This is so easy to "jazz up" with toppings on the side. Poached and chilled shrimp, cilantro, thinly sliced cucumbers, ginger; just serve on the side and let guests add what they like! From Mark Bittman's The Best Recipes in the World. Mark's note: If you want to significantly speed up an already fast dish, skip the dried shrimp and sugar.
Provided by Mrs Goodall
Categories Japanese
Time 20m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Combine the dashi with the soy sauce, mirin, sugar, and dried shrimp if you're using them in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring, just until the sugar is dissolved, then strain the dipping sauce into another container sitting on a bowl of ice to cool (you want it to be between ice cold and room temperature).
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add salt. Drop in the somen and cook for 2 to 4 minutes, until tender, then rinse them in a colander under cold running water.
- Serve each guest a small bowl of noodles, twisted into a little nest on top of a couple of ice cubes, and a small bowl with 1/2 cup of the dipping sauce scattered with the minced scallion on the side. Pass a little dish of wasabi, if desired, stir into the dipping sauce.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 212.7, Fat 0.4, SaturatedFat 0.1, Sodium 2318, Carbohydrate 43.3, Fiber 2.5, Sugar 4.8, Protein 8.3
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients: The flavor of your dipping sauce will depend on the quality of the ingredients you use. Make sure to use fresh, flavorful ingredients that are in season.
- Balance the flavors: A good dipping should have a balance of flavors, including sweet, sour, salty, and umami. Experiment with different combinations of ingredients until you find a sauce that you like.
- Adjust the consistency: The consistency of your dipping sauce should be thick enough to coat the noodles, but not so thick that it's difficult to eat. You can adjust the consistency by adding more or less liquid.
- Serve the sauce chilled: Most dipping sauces are best served chilled. This helps to keep the noodles cool and refreshing, and it also allows the flavors of the sauce to meld together.
- Garnish the sauce: A simple garnish can add a touch of elegance to your dipping sauce. Try sprinkling it with chopped green onions, sesame seeds, or crumbled nori.
Conclusion:
Cold somen noodles are a delicious and refreshing summer dish. With a variety of dipping sauces to choose from, there's sure to be a sauce that everyone will enjoy. Whether you prefer a light and flavorful sauce or a rich and savory sauce, there's a recipe in this article that's perfect for you. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy summer meal, give cold somen noodles a try. You won't be disappointed!
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