I occasionally crave colds Soba Noodles that I would eat with ‘Mentsuyu’, a Japanese noodle dipping sauce. My favourite go-to dish to enjoy with the cold Soba Noodles is Prawn, Onion & Carrot ‘Kakiage’ Tempura, but I reluctant to cook it just for my meal. This dish is quick and easy. Using already thinly sliced Beef, it takes 5 minutes to cook.

Makes

1 Serving

Ingredients

120g thinly sliced Beef *cut into bite-size pieces
1/2 teaspoon Sesame Oil *OR Oil of your choice
1 serving Soba Noodles
1 softly cooked Egg *see ‘Onsen Tamago’ recipe
Finely Chopped Spring Onion
Crispy Chilli Oil OR Shichimi (Japanese Chilli Spice Mix) *optional
‘Mentsuyu’ (Noodle Dipping Sauce) *OR Quick & Easy ‘Mentsuyu’

Sauce
1/2 tablespoon Soy Sauce
1/2 tablespoon Mirin
1/2 teaspoon Sugar
1 small clove Garlic *grated
Chilli Flakes as required

Method

1. If you make ‘Mentsuyu’ (Noodle Dipping Sauce) just for this dish, try my Quick & Easy ‘Mentsuyu’. Combine the following ingredients in a heat-proof bowl and microwave until it boils, then cool.
   • 50ml Water
   • 1/8 teaspoon Dashi Powder *’Katsuo’ (Bonito) type recommended
   • 3 teaspoons (15ml) Soy Sauce
   • 2 teaspoons (10ml) Mirin
2. Combine all the Sauce ingredients in a small bowl. Heat Oil in a small frying pan over medium high heat, cook thinly sliced Beef, add the Sauce, and cook until the sauce thickens.
3. Cook Soba Noodles according to the instruction. I cooked Dry Soba Noodles in boiling water for 4 minutes. *Note: DO NOT add Salt to the water.
4. Drain Soba Noodles, rinse under cold water, then drain well.
5. Place the Soba Noodles in a serving bowl, pour some ‘Mentsuyu’ sauce, cover with Beef, add Egg and Spring Onion, and enjoy. *Note: I added some Crispy Chilli Oil.