Dave's Eats

• water, for boiling

• water, for boiling

Gather all the ingredients. In a large pot, bring water to a boil (you do not need to salt the water).

• 2 Tbsp 2 Tbsp (26 g) vegetable oil
• ¹⁄₃ cup, 2 tsp ¹⁄₃ cup, 2 tsp toasted sesame oil
• 1 tsp 1 tsp crushed red pepper (optional) or chili pepper flakes (optional), optional; you can skip or adjust to your preference

• 2 Tbsp 2 Tbsp (26 g) vegetable oil
• ¹⁄₃ cup, 2 tsp ¹⁄₃ cup, 2 tsp toasted sesame oil
• 1 tsp 1 tsp crushed red pepper (optional) or chili pepper flakes (optional), optional; you can skip or adjust to your preference

Combine neutral oil, toasted sesame oil, and crushed red pepper (red pepper flakes) in a small saucepan.

Whisk it all together and infuse the oil over medium heat for 3 minutes. The oil should sizzle, but do not burn the chili flakes. Remove from the heat and let cool for 1–2 minutes. Tip: If you smell something burnt, the heat is too strong or you cooked it too long.

Whisk it all together and infuse the oil over medium heat for 3 minutes. The oil should sizzle, but do not burn the chili flakes. Remove from the heat and let cool for 1–2 minutes. Tip: If you smell something burnt, the heat is too strong or you cooked it too long.

• ¹⁄₃ cup, 2 tsp ¹⁄₃ cup, 2 tsp (120 g) honey or maple syrup, for vegan

• ¹⁄₃ cup, 2 tsp ¹⁄₃ cup, 2 tsp (120 g) honey or maple syrup, for vegan

Add honey and whisk well until it has completely dissolved. Tip: Don‘t add the soy sauce first as it will splatter in the hot oil.

• ¹⁄₃ cup, 2 tsp ¹⁄₃ cup, 2 tsp (96 g) soy sauce

• ¹⁄₃ cup, 2 tsp ¹⁄₃ cup, 2 tsp (96 g) soy sauce

Add soy sauce to the mixture and whisk it all together. Set aside.

• 14 oz 14 oz (400 g) dried soba noodles, buckwheat noodles

• 14 oz 14 oz (400 g) dried soba noodles, buckwheat noodles

Add dried soba noodles (buckwheat noodles) to the boiling water. Cook, stirring occasionally, until they are al dente. Tip: I like to boil the noodles for 30 seconds less than the package instructions. Mine says to cook for 4 minutes, so I cook for 3 minutes and 30 seconds.

• 4 4 green onions

• 4 4 green onions

Meanwhile, thinly slice green onions/scallions.

• 2 2 cilantro

• 2 2 cilantro

Discard the stems of cilantro (coriander) and chop the leafy parts into small pieces.

Drain the soba noodles into a colander and rinse them with your hand under cold running water. This important step removes the excess starch and stops the cooking.

Drain the soba noodles into a colander and rinse them with your hand under cold running water. This important step removes the excess starch and stops the cooking.

Drain well and transfer to a large bowl. Pour the cooled dressing over the noodles.

Drain well and transfer to a large bowl. Pour the cooled dressing over the noodles.

• 2 Tbsp 2 Tbsp white toasted sesame seeds, toasted

• 2 Tbsp 2 Tbsp white toasted sesame seeds, toasted

Add the green onions, cilantro leaves, and toasted white sesame seeds to the noodles. Toss everything together.

• shichimi togarashi (optional), for serving; optional

• shichimi togarashi (optional), for serving; optional

Transfer to a serving bowl or plate. Serve chilled or at room temperature. For a spicy kick, you can sprinkle shichimi togarashi (Japanese seven spice).

Soba noodle salad is the perfect blank slate to customize with your favorite vegetables like edamame, sugar snap peas, cucumber slices, carrot strips, arugula, or red cabbage. Try adding blanched or pickled veggies like kimchi, Quick Fresh Kimchi, Spicy Japanese Pickled Cucumbers, and Blanched Broccoli with Sesame Oil. For a more substantial meal, add hard-boiled eggs, Ramen Eggs, shredded leftover chicken, or grilled tofu.

Soba noodle salad is the perfect blank slate to customize with your favorite vegetables like edamame, sugar snap peas, cucumber slices, carrot strips, arugula, or red cabbage. Try adding blanched or pickled veggies like kimchi, Quick Fresh Kimchi, Spicy Japanese Pickled Cucumbers, and Blanched Broccoli with Sesame Oil. For a more substantial meal, add hard-boiled eggs, Ramen Eggs, shredded leftover chicken, or grilled tofu.