Kake Soba
Soba noodles in a hot dashi broth with scallion.
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Join HomecookedIngredients
- 200 g Soba noodles (buckwheat)
- 150 ml Mentsuyu (noodle base)
- 2 Scallions (optional)
- 1 sheet Nori sheets (optional)
- 1 Kombu (dried kelp) (optional)
Method
- Bring a pot of water to a boil for the soba.
- Meanwhile, gently warm the mentsuyu with the kombu in a small saucepan over medium-low heat to make the hot broth, then lift out the kombu just before it simmers.
- While the broth warms, thinly slice the scallions and tear the nori into small pieces.
- Boil the soba in the pot until just tender, following the timing on the packet, then drain well.
- Divide the drained soba between deep bowls, ladle the hot broth over, then scatter the scallions and nori on top and serve straight away.
Nutrition per serving
Estimated from ingredients; varies with exact portions and brands.
About Kake Soba
Kake soba is one of the simplest and most beloved noodle dishes in Japan: buckwheat soba noodles served in a hot, clear dashi-based broth. The word kake refers to broth being poured over the noodles, and the dish sits at the humble, everyday end of the soba spectrum, the kind eaten quickly at standing noodle bars near train stations. Its appeal is restraint, with the earthy, nutty flavor of the buckwheat carried by a savory, gently sweet broth rather than buried under toppings.
This version builds the broth by warming mentsuyu with a piece of kombu, lifting the kelp out just before it simmers so it lends umami without turning bitter. The soba is boiled separately to a just-tender bite and drained well, then the hot broth is ladled over so the noodles stay distinct rather than mushy. Scallions and torn nori scattered on top add a fresh allium sharpness and a whisper of the sea. At eighteen minutes and just a handful of components, it is a quiet, warming meal for a cold day, meant to be eaten straight away while the broth is steaming.
Kake Soba: frequently asked questions
How many calories are in Kake Soba?
One serving of Kake Soba has about 406 calories, with 16g of protein, 76g of carbs, 2g of fat and 4g of fiber. These are estimates based on the ingredient amounts in this recipe and will vary with your exact portions and brands.
Is Kake Soba gluten-free?
As written, no — it contains Soba noodles (buckwheat), Mentsuyu (noodle base). You'd need a certified gluten-free swap for those ingredients to make it gluten-free.
How long does Kake Soba take to make?
About 18 minutes start to finish, but only around 9 of those are hands-on — the rest is cooking time. In the Homecooked app the timers and parallel steps are sequenced for you so the hands-on part feels even shorter.
Do I need every ingredient to make Kake Soba?
The core ingredients are essential, but you can leave out scallions, nori sheets, kombu (dried kelp) — they're optional and mainly there for extra flavor or finish.
How many servings does Kake Soba make?
This recipe makes 2 servings. In the app you can scale it up or down and the ingredient amounts adjust automatically.