15 Japanese Somen Sauce Recipe Elevate Your Taste Buds!
Published on: Mar 26, 2024
Somen noodles are a staple in Japanese cuisine, known for their delicate texture and ability to absorb flavors. While they can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, one of the most popular and delicious methods is to pair them with a homemade somen sauce. This simple yet flavorful sauce is a key component in many Japanese dishes and can easily be made at home with just a few ingredients. In this article, we will share a traditional Japanese somen sauce recipe and guide you through the steps to create your own delicious and authentic somen sauce.
Main Ingredients: Somen, Light Soy Sauce, Sugar, Dashi, Bonito Flakes
Satisfy your cravings for a refreshing and light meal with this simple yet delicious cold somen noodle dish. Perfect for a hot summer day, these thin noodles are served chilled and paired with a flavorful dipping sauce made with soy sauce, dashi, and mirin. Top it off with thinly sliced scallions and a sprinkle of nori for an authentic Japanese touch.
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Somen (Japanese Cold Noodles)
Main Ingredients: Noodles, Ice Cubes, Dashi Stock, Soy Sauce, Mirin
If you're looking for a versatile noodle dish that can be enjoyed any time of the year, look no further than somen. These thin wheat noodles are usually served cold and can be paired with a variety of toppings and sauces. Try it with tempura or udon for a heartier meal, or keep it light with a side of edamame and a sesame dressing.
Main Ingredients: Dashi, Soy Sauce, Mirin, Somen Noodles, Persian
Beat the summer heat with this refreshing dish of hiyashi somen. These thin noodles are served cold and topped with a variety of colorful vegetables such as cucumber, carrots, and bell peppers. The dipping sauce is made with sesame oil, soy sauce, and rice vinegar, giving it a nutty and tangy flavor that perfectly complements the noodles.
Main Ingredients: Somen Noodles, Mentsuyu, Water, Green Onions, Nori
Zaru somen is a classic dish that is perfect for a hot summer day. The noodles are served on a bamboo mat, giving it a rustic and traditional touch. The dipping sauce is made with shoyu, mirin, and bonito flakes, giving it a rich and flavorful taste. Pair it with some grilled chicken or shrimp for a complete meal.
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Japanese Somen Noodles with Sweet Soy-Ginger Sauce
Main Ingredients: Somen Noodles, Minced Garlic, Grated Ginger, Japanese
Add a kick of flavor to your somen noodles with this sweet and tangy soy-ginger sauce. The sauce is made with soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and a touch of honey for sweetness. Toss it with the chilled noodles and top it off with some thinly sliced pork or beef for a satisfying meal.
If you're in the mood for something more indulgent, try this spicy duck somen dish. The noodles are tossed in a spicy chili oil and topped with tender duck breast and shiitake mushrooms. The combination of heat and umami flavors will leave your taste buds wanting more.
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Summer Cold Noodle Salad- Somen Salad
Main Ingredients: Somen, Iceberg, Ham, Eggs, Kamaboko, Green Onion, Corn
For a healthier option, try this somen salad that is packed with fresh vegetables and a light dressing. The noodles are mixed with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, and avocado, and tossed in a dressing made with rice vinegar, soy sauce, and a touch of honey. Top it off with some grilled shrimp or tofu for added protein.
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Easy Chicken Miso Ramen
Main Ingredients: Safflower Oil, Ground Chicken, Garlic, Fresh Ginger
If you're a fan of ramen, you'll love this easy chicken miso ramen recipe. The noodles are cooked in a flavorful broth made with miso, chicken broth, and soy sauce. Add in some chicken, bok choy, and a soft-boiled egg for a filling and delicious meal.
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Cold Somen
Main Ingredients: Mirin, Soy Sauce, Kombu, Somen Noodles, Fresh Ginger
Sometimes, simplicity is key. This cold somen dish is as simple as it gets, with just the chilled noodles and a tangy dipping sauce made with ponzu and rice vinegar. For an added crunch, top it off with some tempura flakes or crushed peanuts.
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Cold Noodle Salad with Cabbage
Main Ingredients: Savoy Cabbage, Radish, Shredded Carrots, Scallions
This cold noodle salad is perfect for a quick and easy meal. The somen noodles are mixed with shredded cabbage, carrots, and red bell pepper, and tossed in a dressing made with rice vinegar, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Add in some grilled chicken or tofu for added protein.
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Enoki somen (aka Enoki mushrooms with somen noodles)
Main Ingredients: Somen Noodles, Enoki Mushrooms, Dashi, Soy Sauce
For a unique twist on somen noodles, try this dish with enoki mushrooms. The noodles and mushrooms are cooked in a flavorful broth made with chicken broth, soy sauce, and sake. Garnish with some chopped green onions and shredded nori for a restaurant-quality dish.
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Nyumen: Somen Noodles in Hot Soup
Main Ingredients: Somen Noodles, Dashi, Mirin, Soy Sauce, Chopped Green
While somen noodles are typically served cold, they can also be enjoyed in a hot soup. Nyumen is a dish where the noodles are served in a dashi broth along with vegetables, meat, and tofu. This comforting dish is perfect for a chilly day or when you're feeling under the weather.
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Somen #JapaneseRecipesWorldwide
Main Ingredients: Somen Noodles, Ginger, Kamaboko, Dashi, Shoyu, Mirin
Join the worldwide trend of somen noodles by trying out this delicious recipe. The noodles are served cold and topped with a mixture of thinly sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, corn, and avocado. Drizzle with a dressing made with rice vinegar, soy sauce, and honey for a burst of flavor in every bite.
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Lobster and Mushroom Somen
Main Ingredients: Lobster Claws, Somen, Tsuyu, Water, Butter, Oyster
Elevate your somen noodles with this luxurious dish that combines lobster and mushrooms. The noodles are tossed in a savory sauce made with oyster sauce and rice vinegar, and topped with succulent pieces of lobster and meaty mushrooms. This is a dish fit for a special occasion.
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Somen And Mint Salad
Main Ingredients: Somen Noodles, Large Carrots, Cucumber, Mint Leaves
For a refreshing and unique twist on somen noodles, try this somen and mint salad. The noodles are tossed with mint leaves, shredded carrots, and crushed peanuts for a perfect balance of flavors and textures. Drizzle with a dressing made with rice vinegar, soy sauce, and a touch of honey for a sweet and tangy finish.
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Coconut Lemongrass Somen Noodle Soup
Main Ingredients: Somen Noodles, Chicken Broth, Unsweetened Coconut Milk
Transport yourself to the tropical flavors of Southeast Asia with this coconut lemongrass somen noodle soup. The noodles are cooked in a fragrant broth made with coconut milk and lemongrass, and topped with shrimp, mushrooms, and bok choy. This hearty and flavorful dish is perfect for a cozy night in.
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Somen Salad with Pork Belly Char Siu
Main Ingredients: Pork Belly, Soy Sauce, Oyster Sauce, Hoisin, Mirin
Get the best of both worlds with this dish that combines somen noodles and char siu pork. The noodles are mixed with cabbage, carrots, and red bell pepper, and topped with succulent pieces of pork belly. Drizzle with a dressing made with hoisin sauce, soy sauce, and sesame oil for a sweet and savory flavor.
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Stir Fried Somen
Main Ingredients: Somen, Bean Sprouts, Chinese Chives, Garlic, Shallots
If you prefer your noodles cooked, this stir-fried somen dish is for you. The noodles are tossed with vegetables such as bell peppers, carrots, and zucchini, and seasoned with a soy sauce-based sauce. Add in some chicken, beef, or tofu for added protein and enjoy a delicious and satisfying meal.
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Aunty Ruby’s Somen Salad
Main Ingredients: Somen Noodles, Carrots, Sliced Ham, Fishcake, Beaten
This somen salad recipe comes from Aunty Ruby, a beloved home cook and recipe developer. The noodles are mixed with cabbage, carrots, and red bell pepper, and tossed in a dressing made with rice vinegar, soy sauce, and honey. Add in some grilled shrimp or chicken for a complete and delicious meal.
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Somen Noodles – Quick and Easy Meal Idea for Summer
Main Ingredients: Base, Somen Noodles, Kamaboko, Eggs, Green Onion
Last but not least, somen noodles are the perfect quick and easy meal idea for summer. They can be cooked in just a few minutes and paired with a variety of fresh and seasonal ingredients. Whether you prefer them cold or hot, there's no denying that somen noodles are the perfect addition to your summer menu.
Ingredients for Somen Sauce
1. Soy Sauce
One of the main ingredients in somen sauce is soy sauce, which adds a salty and savory flavor to the dish. Traditionally, Japanese soy sauce is used for an authentic taste, but any type of soy sauce can be used as a substitute. Make sure to use a high-quality soy sauce for the best flavor.
2. Mirin
Mirin is a sweet rice wine that adds a subtle sweetness to the somen sauce. It also helps to balance out the saltiness of the soy sauce and adds depth to the overall flavor. If you don't have mirin on hand, you can substitute it with a mixture of sugar and water.
3. Dashi Stock
Dashi stock is a broth made from dried fish and kelp, commonly used in Japanese cooking. It is the base of many Japanese sauces and soups, including somen sauce. For a homemade version, you can make dashi stock by steeping kombu (kelp) and bonito flakes (dried fish) in hot water.
4. Optional Ingredients
While the above three ingredients are the essential components of somen sauce, there are also some optional ingredients that can be added to enhance the flavor. These include sesame oil, grated ginger, and grated daikon. Adding a dash of sesame oil can give the sauce a nutty flavor, while grated ginger and daikon add a refreshing and slightly spicy kick. Experiment with these optional ingredients to find your preferred flavor profile.
Instructions for Making Somen Sauce
1. In a saucepan, combine 1/4 cup of soy sauce, 1/4 cup of mirin, and 1 cup of dashi stock. For a larger batch, simply double or triple the ingredients.
2. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat.
3. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for about 5 minutes.
4. Optional step: If using grated ginger or daikon, add them to the sauce in the last minute of simmering for a stronger flavor.
5. Remove the sauce from heat and let it cool down to room temperature.
6. Serve the somen sauce with cooked somen noodles or use it as a dipping sauce for tempura or other dishes.
Conclusion
Making your own somen sauce at home is simple and allows you to control the ingredients and flavors. With the combination of soy sauce, mirin, and dashi stock, you can create a delicious and authentic sauce that will elevate your somen noodles and other Japanese dishes. Get creative and try different variations of this recipe to find your perfect somen sauce. Impress your friends and family with this traditional Japanese sauce that is sure to become a staple in your kitchen.