Refreshing Tomato Soba Noodles with Sweet & Savory Tomato Compote
A Simple and Delicious Cold Soba Noodle Dish featuring a Sweet and Savory Tomato Compote made with Dashi Broth and Tentsuyu
When the weather heats up and your appetite dwindles, whip up this simple yet delightful Tomato Soba! The star of this dish is a wonderfully sweet and savory compote made from cherry tomatoes, simmered in a delicate sauce. Paired with refreshing soba noodles in a light tentsuyu broth, this meal is guaranteed to awaken your taste buds. It’s an easy and satisfying way to beat the heat and enjoy a burst of flavor. (From All Recipes Korea, Man-Gye Recipes)
Main Ingredients- Soba noodles: 150g
- Scallions: 1 stalk
- Shredded nori (seaweed): a pinch
Refreshing Tentsuyu Broth- Tentsuyu (noodle dipping sauce): 1 Tbsp
- Dashi broth: 2 paper cups (approx. 400ml)
- Tentsuyu (noodle dipping sauce): 1 Tbsp
- Dashi broth: 2 paper cups (approx. 400ml)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Start by preparing the cherry tomatoes for the compote. Make a small cross-shaped incision at the stem end of each cherry tomato. Blanch them in boiling water for about 30 seconds, then immediately transfer to an ice bath. This makes peeling the skins much easier.
Step 2
Place the peeled cherry tomatoes in a saucepan. Add 1 paper cup of dashi broth, 1 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp sugar, and a splash of lemon juice for brightness. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook for 3 minutes, allowing the tomatoes to soften slightly and absorb the flavors.
Step 3
Once the compote is cooked, let it cool slightly. Then, cover it with plastic wrap and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled. Serving this compote cold is key to its refreshing taste when combined with the noodles.
Step 4
Wash the scallions and trim the root ends. Finely chop them into small pieces. These will be used as a garnish, adding both visual appeal and a fresh, aromatic touch to the dish.
Step 5
Prepare the chilled tentsuyu broth for serving. In a bowl or pitcher, combine 2 paper cups of dashi broth with 1 Tbsp of tentsuyu. Stir well. Taste and adjust the amount of tentsuyu if needed, according to your preference. Keep this broth chilled in the refrigerator.
Step 6
Now, it’s time to cook the soba noodles. Bring a pot of water to a boil and add the 150g of soba noodles. Cook according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain the noodles and immediately rinse them thoroughly under cold running water to remove excess starch, which makes them firm and prevents clumping. Drain them well, ensuring all excess water is removed. Rinsing in an ice bath will make the noodles extra springy.
Step 7
All the components are ready! In a serving bowl, arrange the cooked soba noodles neatly. Spoon a generous amount of the chilled sweet and savory tomato compote over the noodles. Garnish with the chopped scallions and a sprinkle of shredded nori for extra flavor and texture. Finally, pour the cold tentsuyu broth over everything. Your beautiful and delicious Tomato Soba is complete! Enjoy this refreshing and flavorful dish.
