By Robin AsbellView →
10-MIN CHILL
The 2-Ingredient Cold Noodles I Make When It's Too Hot To Cook
★★★★★
5.0 (260)|(2 Reviews)Chilled Japanese buckwheat soba noodles served with savory tsuyu dipping sauce, scallions, and nori.
K
By Kat Thompson (Recipe Developer)•Published May 19, 2026
⏱ 10 mins (incl. ice chill)
Simply Recipes / Kat Thompson🔥 280 kcal
WHY MAKE THIS
- Incredibly refreshing and cooling on scorching summer afternoons.
- Just 2 pantry staples: soba noodles and bottled tsuyu dipping sauce.
10-MIN CHILL
The 2-Ingredient Cold Noodles I Make When It's Too Hot To Cook
Zaru Soba is Japan's ultimate summer lifesaver. Nutty buckwheat noodles boiled for 4 minutes, plunged into ice-cold water to snap into a firm, chewy texture, then dipped into umami-rich mentsuyu broth. Difficulty: Super Easy.
Prep Time3 mins
Cook Time5 mins
Total Time10 mins (incl. ice chill)
Servings2 servings
Scale Recipe:
📱Keep Screen Awake While Cooking
Ingredients
- 6 oz dry buckwheat soba noodles
- 1/2 cup concentrated Japanese noodle dipping sauce (mentsuyu), diluted with cold water per bottle instructions
- 1 green onion, thinly sliced
- 1 tsp wasabi paste & shredded nori seaweed for garnish (optional)
Directions
1
Boil soba noodles
Bring pot of water to a boil. Add soba noodles and cook 4–5 minutes until al dente.
2
Ice water rinse
Drain and immediately transfer to a bowl of ice water. Vigorously rub noodles with hands to remove surface starch, then drain well.
3
Dip and enjoy
Serve noodles cold. Dip each bite into tsuyu broth seasoned with scallions and wasabi.
💡 CHEF'S PRO TIPS
- Washing the cooked noodles vigorously under cold running water is essential to remove starch and achieve that bouncy, chewy bite.
Nutrition Facts
Per ServingCalories280 kcal
Protein11g
Carbs58g
Total Fat1g
Sodium: 680mg
Fiber: 4g
Sugar: 2g
Community Reviews & Ratings
2 cooks have shared their thoughts on this recipe
S
Sarah M.★★★★★
This has completely replaced my normal avocado toast! The beans blend so well you cannot even tell, and I stay full until lunchtime!
D
David K.★★★★★
Great trick for adding protein without cooking eggs on busy mornings. Added a pinch of red pepper flakes and lemon zest—delicious.
