Soba noodle recipe for New Year's Eve - Chopstick Chronicles (2024)

Published December 28, 2019 / Last modified September 10, 2020 By Shihoko | Chopstick Chronicles / 10 Comments

This Japanese soba noodle recipe is the soba noodle soup that Japanese slurp on New year’s eve. They call this traditional soba noodle recipe “Toshikoshi Soba”. It can be cooked in 15 minutes and is so perfect for the busy new year’s eve.

What is soba noodle?

Soba is the word for buckwheat in Japanese. Therefore soba noodles are made from buckwheat. Buckwheat is gluten-free. Though, unless it is stated, most soba noodles are made from buckwheat and wheat flours. 100% buckwheat does not contain any gluten so it tends to break apart easily. In order to improve its elasticity and texture, wheat is added. It has a delicious nutty flavour.

Where can you buy Soba noodles

Soba noodles come in three forms in Japan; fresh, cooked, frozen and dry. Nowadays people who live outside of Japan can find them easily and not just from Japanese or Asian grocery stores but also from supermarkets. You can definitely find dry Soba noodles online.

How to cook dry soba noodles?

The most common type of soba noodle available outside of Japan is dry soba noodles. So I am going to teach you how to cook the soba noodles. You need about 70-90g (2.5-3oz) for one serve. Boil 1-1.3L (0.26-0.34gal) of water in a large pot, and the cook soba noodles for about 4 min. This cooking time may vary so check the packet instruction.

How to make noodle soup

Soba noodles are often used for making soba noodle salad because of its health benefits and popularity. They don’t require soup, but this is a soba noodle soup recipe. And the soup is super easy to make and only three ingredients are required! You need Dashi stock, soy sauce and mirin.

Japanese tradition

Soba has been eaten over the years as a lucky charm. Although the origin of traditional eating is often unclear and “Toshikoshi (meaning crossing over year) Soba” is no exception. Here are 5 theories:

1. The most famous theory is buckwheat signifying longevity and good luck.
2. Buckwheat is easy to cut, so it eats the hardships and evils of the year to cut it off.
3. Starting the year with a clean slate by eating soba noodle which is good for your gut health.
4. Collect Gold (money): In the past, Goldsmiths used to use buckwheat flour to make gold leaf.
5. It has become a custom to eat soba on New year’s eve when people, who could not reach the end of the year were served soba noodle, their luck had begun in the following year in Kamakura period.

Topping suggestions for soba noodles

Toppings vary from region to region. Some just simply eat soba noodle soup with green onion. My mother often adds prawn tempura. Tempura byproduct Tenkasu is good too. Also, you could add kamaboko fish cake, eggs and scatter scallions and sprinkle shichimi chili powder if you like a little bit spiciness.

Stay connected

If you like the recipe please rate the recipe and leave comments below. Also don’t forget to follow me on Youtube, Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. This way you keep up to date with all the latest happenings on Chopstick Chronicles. Don’t forget to Sign up for a weekly newsletter so you never miss out on new authentic delicious Japanese recipes! Sign up form is on the right-hand sidebar.

Affiliate disclaimer

The site and our mobile application may contain links to affiliate websites. We receive a small affiliate commission for any purchases made by you on the affiliate website using such links.

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. This is affiliate advertising designed to provide a means for us to earn a small advertising fee by linking to Amazon. com and affiliated websites.