Cold Soy Sauce Noodles

It's finally starting to feel like summer where I'm living at the moment (why yes, it is mid-June, why d'you ask?) and so I've switched from all things soup to craving cold dishes and refreshing foods that help beat the heat. This particular dish is a lovely cold noodle dish from Korea - I mostly followed Kimchimari's great recipe, but took some inspiration from Aaron and Claire's recipe as well. It's simple, straightforward, and deliciously refreshing on a hot day. I hope it helps you chill out as much as it has me!

Cold Soy Sauce Noodles

(2 servings)

Ingredients

1 1/2 tablespoons of light soy sauce

1 tablespoon of black vinegar*

1 tablespoon of roasted sesame oil

1/2 tablespoon of roasted sesame seeds

1/2 tablespoon of sugar

1/2 teaspoon of bouillon powder**

170g / 6oz of buckwheat noodles***

1 small cucumber (julienned)

1 green onion (chopped)

2 fried eggs**** (to garnish)

Furikake (to garnish)

*Rice vinegar would work in a pinch as well.

**Obviously use a vegan bouillon if you're fasting or veggie. If it's an issue and you don't have a veggie alternative, just skip it!

***This is two bundles from the standard packs sold at East Asian supermarkets in North America and - in my experience - in mainland China.

****Obviously skip these if you're fasting or vegan (or just can't be bothered!).

Directions

1) First make your sauce by stirring together the soy sauce, black vinegar, sesame oil, sesame seeds, sugar, and bouillon powder, then set it aside. (This gives the sugar a chance to fully dissolve and for the flavors to meld.)

2) Cook the noodles to your desired tenderness (I usually follow the directions on the packaging), rinse well under cold water, and return to the pot or place in a mixing bowl.

3) Stir together the noodles and the sauce from step 1, then divide between two bowls. (Or if you're particularly hungry just throw it all in one larger bowl!)

4) Serve the noodles topped with the cucumber, green onion, furikake, and fried eggs (if desired), and enjoy! I really enjoy these noodles without the fried egg and with my soy sauce 'n sesame deviled eggs - they make a great side for this dish!