Soba Noodle Salad

Instructions

1. Gather all the ingredients. In a large pot, bring water to a boil (you don't need to salt the water).
2. Combine 1 Tbsp neutral oil, 3 Tbsp toasted sesame oil, and ½ tsp crushed red pepper (red pepper flakes) in a small saucepan.
3. Whisk it all together and infuse the oil over medium heat for 3 minutes. The oil should sizzle, but don't burn the chili flakes. Remove from the heat and let cool for 1–2 minutes. Tip: If you smell something burnt, the heat is too strong or you cooked it too long.
4. Add 3 Tbsp honey and whisk well until it has completely dissolved. Tip: Don't add the soy sauce first as it will splatter in the hot oil.
5. Add 3 Tbsp soy sauce to the mixture and whisk it all together. Set aside.
6. Add 7 oz dried soba noodles (buckwheat noodles) to the boiling water. Cook, stirring occasionally, until they are al dente. Tip: I like to boil the noodles for 30 seconds less than the package instructions. Mine says to cook for 4 minutes, so I cooked for 3 minutes and 30 seconds.
7. Meanwhile, thinly slice 2 green onions/scallions.
8. Discard the stems of 1 handful of cilantro (coriander) and chop the leafy parts into small pieces.
9. Drain the soba noodles into a colander and rinse them with your hands under cold running water. This important step removes the excess starch and stops the cooking.
10. Drain well and transfer to a large bowl. Pour the cooled dressing over the noodles.
11. Add the green onions, cilantro leaves, and 1 Tbsp toasted white sesame seeds to the noodles. Toss everyone together.
12. Transfer to a serving bowl or plate. Serve chilled or at room temperature. For a spicy kick, you can sprinkle shichimi togarashi (Japanese seven spice).
13. Soba noodle salad is the perfect blank slate to customize with your favorite vegetables like edamame, sugar snap peas, cucumber slices, carrot strips, arugula, or red cabbage. Try adding blanched or pickled vegetables like kimchi, Quick Fresh Kimchi, Spicy Japanese Pickled Cucumbers, and Blanched Broccoli with Sesame Oil. For a more substantial meal, add hard-boiled eggs, Ramen Eggs, shredded leftover chicken, or grilled tofu.
14. You can keep the leftovers in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and in the freezer for 2 weeks.