This dish is inspired by a Japanese dish called ‘Kawara Soba’ (瓦そば), but I don’t fry Noodles and this is much simpler. I like to use ‘Cha Soba’, Matcha Soba Noodles, because of its green colour. You can use ordinary Soba Noodles OR Thin Udon Noodles instead. The dish can be enjoyed cold OR warm, but I definitely prefer cold one. This recipe is for 1 serving. If you cook more servings, you can simply multiply it.

Makes

1 serving

Ingredients

1 serving ‘Cha Soba’ Noodles *OR Soba Noodles, Thin Udon Noodles, etc.
1/2 teaspoon Sesame Oil *optional
Finely chopped Spring Onion
Toasted Nori *cut into thin strips
Shichimi (Japanese Chilli Spice Mix)

‘Mentsuyu’ Noodle Sauce
*Note: If you cook more servings, see ‘Mentsuyu’ recipe
50ml Water
1/8 teaspoon Dashi Powder *’Katsuo’ (Bonito) type recommended
3 teaspoons (15ml) Soy Sauce
2 teaspoons (10ml) Mirin

Thin Omelette Strips
1 Egg
1 very small pinch Salt
Oil for cooking

Beef
100g thinly sliced Beef *cut into bite-size if large
1 teaspoon Soy Sauce
1 teaspoon Mirin
1/2 teaspoon Sugar
Oil for cooking

Method
  1. Make ‘Mentsuyu’ Noodle Sauce first. Place all ‘Mentsuyu’ ingredients in a heat-proof bowl, and bring to the boil in the microwave. Allow to cool. *Note: When you are in a hurry, you don’t need to boil it.
  2. Next cook Thin Omelette Strips. Whisk Egg with Salt. Heat a frying pan over medium low heat, apply Oil very thinly, cook a very thin omelette like a crêpe, and transfer to a plate and cool. Cut in half or quarters, then cut into thin strips.
  3. Add a small amount of Oil to the pan if required, cook Beef, and season with Mirin, Soy Sauce and Sugar.
  4. Cook ‘Cha Soba’ Noodles according to the instruction on the package. Basically cook in the boiling water in a saucepan for 5 to 6 minutes. Drain, rise with cold water if you like it cold, return to the saucepan, and mix with Sesame Oil. Sesame Oil is for flavour.
  5. Place the Noodles in a serving deep plate OR bowl, arrange Omelette Strips and Beef on top, add Spring Onion, Nori and Shichimi (Japanese Chilli Spice Mix), pour Mentsuyu’ Sauce over the Noodles, and enjoy.