Soba – how and how much to cook?

Soba is a noodle made from a mixture of buckwheat and wheat flour, which has a dark color and a characteristic nutty taste. These noodles expand in size when cooked and are widely appreciated in dietary nutrition for their ability to provide quick and long-lasting satiety. They pair exceptionally well with fresh vegetables or vegetable broth. With that said, the question of “How to cook soba?” is highly relevant, and we would be delighted to provide you with an answer!

How long does it take to cook soba noodles?

The easiest way to determine the cooking time for buckwheat pasta is to refer to the instructions on the package, as it may slightly vary depending on the noodle’s specific characteristics. On average, cooking takes about 5 minutes.

How to properly cook buckwheat noodles?

You can cook soba in several ways, but most often it is cooked using a saucepan, microwave or slow cooker. It should be taken into account that the weight of the finished noodles increases three times, and it is necessary to cook them in a large amount of water – about 10 times more than the soba itself. An important clarification from our experience on how to properly cook buckwheat noodles: you should not salt the water so that the strips of dough do not spread. It is better to season it already after cooking.

1. Cooking soba noodles using a saucepan:

• Boil a large amount of water (1.5 liters per 150 g of noodles).
• Add the dry noodles and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Drain the cooked soba using a sieve or colander, and rinse thoroughly with cold water.

2. Cooking soba noodles using a slow cooker:

• Bring the water to a boil using the “Soup” or “Pasta” mode.
• Add the noodles, mix well, and wait for it to boil again.
• Boil for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Remove and rinse with cold water.

3. Cooking soba noodles in the microwave:

• Boil water in a wide container for 3–4 minutes on medium power.
• Add the noodles to the hot water and boil for 30 seconds. Remove, stir, and boil for another 30 seconds. If the noodles are still firm, continue boiling until fully cooked, removing and stirring every 20 seconds.
• Once cooked, remove the noodles and rinse them with cold water.

Now you know how to cook buckwheat noodles from Katana and you can use it as a side dish or in other recipes for cooking Asian dishes! Moreover, soba noodles offer substantial health benefits as they are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, contributing to improved hair, nails, and skin health.