Salmon Soba Noodles with Miso Dressing

Noodle bowls don't come more tasty than this delicious salmon soba noodle bowl with fresh greens and a salty, nutty dressing that brings everything together in the most amazing way.

White miso paste is used to great effect in elevating the flavours to new heights. A salty, umami, sweet and smoky (YES, all those things) dressing that brings out all the wonderful flavour of the juicy, tender salmon and soft, nutty soba noodles.

I love this bowl for many reasons; it's quick and easy, hearty, healthy and versatile. It can be eaten hot or cold, making it the ideal choice for meal-prep lunches. It's so fresh and summery - a light and bright marriage of flavour, colour and texture.

What's Ahead?

What are soba noodles?

Soba noodles are a type of traditional Japanese noodle made from buckwheat flour or often a combination of buckwheat flour with a little wheat flour. They are typically thin, brownish-grey in colour, and have a slightly nutty flavour.

Buckwheat is a plant that is not related to wheat and is actually a seed. In their whole buckwheat variety they are gluten-free and considered a nutritious ingredient (check the package ingredients before assuming your noodles are gluten-free).

Soba noodles can be used in a variety of ways, including in soups, stir-fries, both hot and cold.

Well dressed noodles

The key to this dish is the delicious miso dressing. It's created using a simple combination of flavourful ingredients that when blended create the most complex umami-rich sauce.

Miso, a funky fermented soy paste is mixed with fresh minced ginger, rice vinegar, sake, light soy sauce (or Tamari), honey and smoky sesame oil (one of life's great aromatics!).

It plays an integral part in elevating the noodles into something very special! The essence of Japan.

Why it works?

It's healthy and hearty - when I want to feel satisfied after a meal, without feeling groaningly full, this noodle bowl is all I want.

The salmon is just perfect on its own, but I love some greenery to accompany so broccolini and edamame are a welcome addition. And I'll say it one more time... that dressing is everything!

Stuff You'll Need

Making this bowl of goodness requires easy to find ingredients. Most supermarkets these days will carry all you need. If not, all Asian food stores will.

• Salmon - I like mine with the skin on so I can crisp it up, but you can decide if you want it on or off.
• Soba noodles - pre cook them and have them waiting for the end assembly.
• White miso paste - this is mixed with fresh ginger (minced), light soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, sake and sesame oil.
• Broccolini and Edamame - for a welcome vegetable presence. I pre cook the broccolini for ease.
• Spring onion/green onion and toasted sesame seeds - for a simple fragrant garnish.

Step by Step

Making your noodle bowl at home is easy! Only a few simple cooking steps then it's assembly mode to finish everything off.

1. Step 1 - Make the dressing. Whisk everything together and set aside.
2. Step 2 - Cook the salmon in a little oil for a couple of minutes each side so that it's lightly crisp all-round but still pink and soft inside. I forgot to show the stage of blanching the broccolini, but at this stage I'll also simmer that for 2-3 minutes until lightly cooked but still with a bit of bite.
3. Step 3 - cook the noodles and cool them a little. Add some of the dressing and toss to coat.

Now all that's needed is to assemble your bowl with a bed of noodles and then break up the salmon a bit and place on top. Add a few pieces of broccoli and a spoonful of edamame and garnish with sesame and spring onion. Lastly, spoon over a little more of the dressing and you're done!

Pro Tips

You can eat this noodle bowl hot or cold, so it's great contender for meal prep. If you're serving as a meal prep, have the dressing in a separate container to pour over when you're serving. This will ensure the noodles don't become soggy.

Storage Suggestions

As a food prep bowl, this will stay fresh for 3-4 days in the fridge with the dressing stored separately. Serve cold or at room temperature and pour over the dressing just before eating.

It's not really suitable for freezing.

Ready to get cooking?

So, for a delicious summery bowl of Japanese goodness this salmon noodle bowl is just the ticket. Light, fragrant and healthy it's a great lunch or dinner. It's easy, quick and guaranteed to fill the hungriest stomach! I hope you enjoy!

More Japanese & Korean recipes

If you liked this recipe for my Salmon Soba Noodles with Miso Dressing, I'm sure you'll love some more of my tasty Japanese recipes.

• Buta Kakuni (Japanese Braised Pork)
  
• Bibim Guksu (Korean Spicy Cold Noodles)
• Chashu Don (Japanese Pork Rice Bowl)
  
• Kimchi Pork Stew
• Pork Rib Soup with Noodles
  
• Japanese Miso Mushrooms
• Japanese Soft Scrambled Tamago Rice Bowl
  
• Menchi Katsu – メンチカツ
  
• Katsu Curry
  
• Chicken Katsudon – チキンカツ丼
  
• Korean Gochujang Noodles with Pork
  
• Gochujang Chicken
  
• Korean Braised Tofu – Dubu-Jorim | 두부조림
  
• Korean Samgyetang (Ginseng Chicken Soup)
  
• Kimchi Fried Rice (볶음밥)

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