Toshikoshi Soba Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 4x4-inch piece kombu (dried kelp)
• 1 oz dried bonito flakes
• 8 oz dried soba noodles
• 2 Tbsp mirin
• 2 Tbsp soy sauce
• 1/4 tsp kosher salt
• Optional Toppings:
• 2 Tbsp dried wakame seaweed, reconstituted and drained
• 2 green onions, sliced thin on a bias
• Nanami Togarashi (Japanese chili spice blend)

Directions:

1. Soak the kombu in 3 cups of water overnight, if possible, or for a minimum of 20 minutes. After the soaking period, bring water and kombu to a boil in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Once water boils, discard kombu and add bonito flakes. Turn off heat and allow bonito flakes to steep for 10 minutes.
2. Bring a large pot of water to boil and cook soba noodles according to package directions. Drain and rinse noodles in cold water to stop the cooking and wash away extra starch. Divide noodles into two serving bowls.
3. Strain broth from step 1 and discard bonito flakes. Return broth to saucepan and add mirin, soy sauce, and salt. Bring to a simmer, then pour the hot broth over soba noodles. Top with wakame, green onions, and Nanami Togarashi.