Chilled Soba Noodles with Avocado Japan Food

Soba noodles are made from buckwheat, they provide vitamin B1 and B2, and are rich in protein, minerals and fibers. This chilled soba noodle dish is very refreshing, and very good for your health. Served with traditional Japanese noodle sauce.

Ingredients

• 160g soba noodles
• 1 avocado
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 150g mooli, grated
• 2 tablespoons chopped spring onion
• 1/2 tablespoon sesame seeds
• Some wasabi paste (optional)

— for the sauce —

• 2 tablespoons mirin* (*sweet cooking alcohol; available in oriental grocery shops)
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 100ml water
• 1/4 teaspoon dashi powder (available in oriental grocery shops)

Methods/steps

1. To make the sauce: place the mirin in a saucepan and bring to the boil over medium-high heat. Add the soy sauce, 100ml of water and dashi powder to the mirin and then bring back to the boil. Remove from the heat, leave to cool.
2. Roast the sesame seeds in a dry frying-pan over medium-low heat until golden.
3. Cook the soba noodles in large pot of boiling water until cooked (follow the package directions). Drain and rinse well under cold water and drain again.
4. Cut the avocado into small pieces, toss with the lemon juice.
5. Transfer the soba noodles to large bowl. Arrange the grated mooli and avocado. Sprinkle with the chopped spring onion and toasted sesame seeds.
6. Mix a little bit of wasabi paste into the sauce if you want. Drizzle the sauce over the noodles just before you eat.