Japanese noodle confections are quite famous both in and outside Japan. While people’s first thoughts on Japanese noodles are ramen, there are other amazing types like the Udon and Soba.
Sometimes, it can be hard to tell the difference between the Udon and Soba since they are both made of wheat and are used interchangeably in certain dishes. However, these two delicacies are not the same.
Just like ramen, Udon and Soba are Japanese noodles. Though not as popular around the world as ramen is, these noodles are very delicious. If you’re interested to know more about Udon and Soba, this post will tell you all you need to know about these Japanese noodles – Udon Vs. Soba.
What is Udon?
Udon is Japanese noodles made from wheat flour, salt, and water. They are chewy, thick, delicious, and are often served in a simple dashi-based broth. Udon noodles, common in Japanese anime, are used during festivals and celebrations.
In fact, they are the most suitable noodles to tell visitors about Japanese cuisine. Udon can be made kneading wheat flour, water, and salt. They have a thick texture and are sometimes difficult to knead.
A typical udon delicacy is a plate of noodle soup in a hot broth. However, you can get a cold plate of these noodles with a dipping sauce. The Udon noodles are four to five millimeters and are either rounded or flat.
It has a glossy white color that differentiates it from Soba. When prepared, the noodles are mild in taste, making their flavors pretty versatile. There are different kinds of Udon noodles you can try out when you visit Japan. These noodles are specially prepared with different flavors.
1) Curry Udon.
For most Udon lovers, the curry Udon is their go-to for an easy straw of some sweet Udon noodles. In fact, this mouth-watering noodle is a lunchtime favorite of people across Japan. The curry Udon is a noodle soup that has been a favorite item on most Japanese food menus for years.
This delicacy is a perfect combination of udon noodle soup and Japanese curry. It is pretty easy to make this confection. All you need to do is first boil your udon noodles until it comes out springy and chewy. Your curry udon should be ready between 15 and 20 minutes. You can check out how to prepare curry udon.
2) Kitsune Udon.
Another popular udon noodle soup is the kitsune udon. A plate of this dish is a combination of udon noodles and inari age dancing in a dashi broth. It is quite tasty and can be prepared at home. To make your homemade kitsune udon, click here.
3) Kake Udon.
Another interesting Udon noodle to try is the Kake udon. It features udon noodle soup with dashi seasoned with soy and mirin. It is quite an interesting dish.
4) Yaki Udon.
This udon noodle is a little different from others. It consists of cooked udon noodles stir-fried with sesame oil, soy sauce, and vegetables like bok choy or napa cabbage and scallions. The yaki udon noodles are a delicious dish you should try.
Other kinds of udon dishes include Udon suki and Miso Nikomi Udon, to mention a few.
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What is Soba?
Just like the Udon, Soba is made of wheat. However, this wheat isn’t what you’d imagine. It is buckwheat. This is why Soba noodles are lighter than Udon noodles. Soba noodles are brownish light noodles made from buckwheat flour and water. They usually have a nutty and rich flavored taste. This is due to the buckwheat flour used in making it.
In the making of Soba, buckwheat seeds are pulverized into powdered form, then mixed with water before being kneaded into a dough. After that, it is cut into long, thin slices of noodles.
In fact, Soba noodles are very common in Japan. You can find them in any Japanese restaurant you visit. They are an important constituent of Japanese cuisine. What’s more, noodles are often referred to as Soba in Japan. Apart from this, Soba noodles are sold at any season across Japan.
Soba noodles are known for their brown look. They are thin, dense, and long. There are many ways to prepare a Soba noodle dish. Here are some Soba delicacies you can try
1) Kakiage.
Kakiage soba is an excellent mix of vegetable tempura with a hot plate of delicious Soba. When preparing it, you can add seafood like scallops, shrimps, shredded vegetables, or both to add color and flavor to your soba noodles. The kakiage can be eaten with a tempura dipping sauce or tentsuyu. It is a fried dish that includes numerous kinds of seafood that are mouth-watering.
2) Kake Soba.
If you’re looking for a traditional soba experience, then Kake soba should be your go-to. To make this beautiful Kake Soba, you need a hot broth consisting of mirin, dashi, and soy sauce that you can pour into your well-boiled plate of soba noodles.
3) Tanuki Soba.
Tanuki soba noodles are another Japanese noodle dish that you can find across the country. This soba delicacy combines soba noodles served in a bowl of flavored dashi broth with soy sauce and crumbled tempura batter.
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Similarities between Udon and Soba.
Both Udon and Soba are types of Japanese noodles. They are delicious and can go well with several dishes. They can be used interchangeably and are healthy for the body. Interestingly, These beautiful, mouth-watering dishes are favorites of Japanese noodle lovers. But more than that, they are popular and serve as lunchtime dishes for Japanese people.
What differentiates the Udon from Soba
In Japan, Udon and Soba are two of the most popular Japanese noodles. Though they can be used interchangeably, they have different qualities and can be used to make different flavors. Here’s the difference between Udon and Soba
- They differ in color, texture, size, and shape.
Udon and Soba may be of the same Japanese noodle family, but they are different. These delicacies differ in texture and color. While Udon is thick and short, Soba is light and long.
For Udon noodles, you can identify its color as glossy white while Soba is brown. Udon has a chewy and springy texture, while Soba has a firm and dense texture and looks like spaghetti.
Because of the neutral nature of Udon, it goes well with pretty much every broth and flavor. However, due to its firm and dense nature, Soba doesn’t go with just any flavor. Udon takes several shapes. It can be round, flat, or square.
- These noodles are made with different ingredients.
These two Japanese noodles are made from different ingredients. While Udon is made from wheat flour, salt, and water, Soba is made from buckwheat, wheat flour, and water. They may be from the same Japanese noodle family, but they are not the same.
- They have different health benefits.
Both Udon and Soba have health benefits. When we take them, they work effectively in our bodies. However, their functions differ. Udon noodles go easy on your stomach, so you need not worry about visiting the toilet. However, they do not have many health benefits like soba noodles.
Soba noodles have nutritional value. They help improve your health. Some of these health benefits include low calories and carbohydrates. What’s more, they contain all eight amino acids. They also contain vitamin B, fiber, and iron due to the buckwheat flour used in making them. Interestingly, in Japan, it is said that Soba serves as an energy booster and a restorative.
- They are often served differently.
Soba noodles are served either hot or cold with dipping sauce and poached egg. You would hardly find them being served in noodle soup or hot broth. The Udon, on the other hand, which is more common across Japan, is usually served in noodle soup with hot broth. It can also be served cold with dipping sauce.
Popular Udon and Soba to try
The most popular Udon and soba noodles include Kitsune Udon, Curry Udon, Zara udon, Kake Udon, tempura Soba, juwari Soba, Hachiwari soba, and Eden organic buckwheat soba.
You can find most of these udon and soba dishes at Japanese supermarkets and Japanese Udon or Soba restaurants. If you’re not visiting Japan yet, you can find them in online stores. Here’s a list of the best soba spots in Japan and the best Udon restaurants in Tokyo
Conclusion.
As much as the Japanese love sushi, noodles are an important ingredient in their daily life. Noodles like Udon and Soba are delicious Japanese noodles that you can find anywhere across Japan.
These delicacies come in different forms. You can either get a plate of hot broth noodles or a cold plate with spicy dipping sauce, poached eggs, and creamy sauces.
Udon and Soba may not be popular in other countries, but they are delicious Japanese cuisines. In fact, they can never go wrong. You can find them at any Japanese restaurant or during religious festivals when you visit the country.