Soba, the buckwheat has a long history, and remarkably, pollen from soba flowers has been discovered in Jomon-era ruins, suggesting that soba had already made its way to Japan by then. In Yakuzen, soba is classified as a food that helps regulate the flow of Qi, making it a great choice for promoting circulation. Since it has a cooling effect on the body, I recommend enjoying it as Kake soba- a hot, comforting bowl of soba. 

One of my favorite ways to eat soba is with mushrooms and grated daikon. Since I used to get cold easily, I usually go for a hot version rather than cold oroshi soba. This time, I chose nameko mushrooms. In Japan, they’re available all year round, but if you’re living overseas, you might find them more easily in dried or canned form.

From the Yakuzen perspective, nameko is said to replenish Qi, reduce phlegm, and help prevent aging. It’s also rich in dietary fiber, making it great for preventing/relieving constipation. Grated daikon is a great digestive aid, and together, this combination is even effective for easing hangovers!

If you tend to feel overheated, try a cold soba dish. If you’re prone to feeling chilly, go for a hot one. Give it a try and see what works best for you!

Ingredients (2 Servings)

160 g dried Soba noodles *200 g for fresh soba noodles

<Soup>
700 ml Cold water
1 large-size Dried shiitake mushroom (soaked in 700ml cold water for 1 hour and drained, then sliced) 
10 cm Dried Kombu seaweed (soaked in 700ml cold water with the shiitake mushroom for 1 hour, then removed)
*Do not throw away the soaking water
200 ml Water
5 tbsp Soy sauce
2 tbsp Sugar (Cane Sugar recommended)
2 tbsp Mirin
2 tbsp Sake
1 1/2 tsp Japanese dashi stock powder
130g Chicken thigh (skin removed then cut into bite-size pieces)

<Toppings>
250 g Daikon radish (grated)
100 g Nameko mushroom (gently washed and drained) 
50-70 g Japanese mustard spinach (boiled, drained and cut into 4-5cm width)
10 cm Spring onion (chopped)

Method

Step 1 - Prepare all the ingredients and set aside.
Step 2 - Put all the soup ingredients in a pot and bring to a boil, then simmer until the chicken is cooked.
Step 3 - Boil and cook the soba noodles following the package instructions, then drain and rinse in cold water, then drain again. 
*The cooking water contains the nutrients from the soba, and you can either enjoy it on its own or mix it with the soup at the end of your meal.
Step 4 - Serve the hot soup in a bowl and add the cooked soba noodles. Garnish with the toppings. Enjoy!