Do you believe in the healing power of noodle soup? If so, I have this Somen Noodle Soup just for you. Restorative, warming, and flavorful, it’s a perfect soup for a cold rainy day or a sick day. The recipe is also incredibly flexible, making it a lifesaver when you’re craving something healthy, simple, and nourishing. What’s not to love!
Somen Noodle Soup: the Regional Food of Nara
Somen noodle soup is called Nyumen (にゅうめん, also written as 煮麺, which literary means “boiled noodles” in kanji characters) in Japan, and it’s a regional dish of Nara prefecture. The Yamato region in Nara prefecture is said to be the birthplace of the famous Tenobe somen (手延素麺). Their somen noodles are known for their finest strands and superior springy texture.
What Are Somen Noodles?
In case you have never heard of somen noodles, they are made of wheat flour, salt, and water. Simple yet delicious, the noodles are super thin and take almost no time to cook. On their own, somen noodles are mild, but they have the ability to absorb flavor from whatever they’re served with. While cold somen is common throughout Japan, hot somen noodle soup or nyumen is enjoyed especially in the fall and winter months in the Nara region. Nyumen consists of a light dashi-based soup and separately-boiled somen noodles. It’s often served with shiitake mushrooms, eggplants, dried shrimp, yuba (tofu skin), and green vegetables. I love that they are light so they don’t weigh me down, while still bringing plenty of flavor and character to the table.
Ingredients for Somen Noodle Soup
Dried somen noodles: If you can’t find Japanese brand somen noodles, you can buy Korean somyeon noodles that is typically used for janchi guksu. Bok choy Carrot Shiitake mushrooms Kamaboko (fish cakes) Eggs Somen broth—dashi (Japanese soup stock), soy sauce, mirin, sugar, and salt Toppings—green onion, mitsuba, and sesame seeds
How to Cook Somen Noodle Soup
Cooking Tips
Broth
I included two ways to make the broth in the recipe. The first method involves making the broth from scratch, using dashi and seasonings. The second one is a short-cut method by using mentsuyu (tsuyu)—noodle soup base. Double up the broth if you plan to eat it again in the same week. Wish to make vegan broth? Use Vegan Dashi!
Somen Noodles
Always use a big pot of water to cook the noodles. Remove all the wrapping of the noodles. Somen noodles cook fast, only 1.5 to 2 minutes! Therefore, you need to act fast. All the noodles should be added to the boiling water at the same time. After draining the water, wash the noodles as if you are washing clothes by kneading or gently massaging. This is the proper way! Somen noodles use oil to achieve their thinness, so we need to make sure to remove the oil.
Toppings
Always start cooking from hard vegetables or dense parts of the vegetable(s)—like the bottom part of bok choy or napa cabbage. If you like to add meat or seafood, don’t forget to skim the broth with a fine-mesh skimmer so the broth will stay clean and clear. When you add beaten eggs, make sure the broth is simmering so the eggs will become fluffy.
Toppings and Seasoning Ideas
This recipe makes an excellent base soup that can be spruced up with any combination of protein, vegetables, or seasonings! Protein Toppings
diced cooked chicken seasoned group pork (niku miso) thinly sliced pork/beef cooked shrimp soft/hard boiled egg fried tofu
Vegetable & Mushroom Toppings
sautéed sliced shiitake mushrooms cooked whole kernel corn cooked baby bok choy blanched green beans, broccoli, or spinach
Seasonings
miso kimchi shichimi togarashi la-yu (hot chili oil)
As you can see, the options are endless when comes to making somen noodle soup. This is exactly why I love using this soup as a comforting, healthy meal to keep my family nourished. Feel free to make a big batch of the broth so you can enjoy it throughout the week!
Cold Somen Recipes
Japanese Cold Somen Noodles Pork Shabu Shabu and Cold Somen with Sesame Miso Sauce Cold Tuna and Tomato Somen
More Delicious Japanese Noodle Soup
Beef Udon Miso Nikomi Udon Nabeyaki Udon Soba Noodle Soup
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