Soba Dipping Sauce

Soba Dipping Sauce

A savory-sweet mentsuyu base for chilled soba, balancing dashi, soy, and mirin.

Total 45 min Makes 16 oz Calories 65/serving

Dietary

Pescatarian, Dairy free, Nut free, Kosher

Allergens

Soy, Fish, Wheat

This traditional Japanese dipping sauce combines dashi, soy sauce, and mirin for a savory, slightly sweet broth that pairs with chilled soba noodles. Served cold or at room temperature, it's a staple of summer noodle meals and comes together quickly on the stovetop. Make it ahead and keep it chilled for easy weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups dashi stock
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce
  • 1/3 cup mirin
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 tablespoon sake
  • 1 piece kombu, 2-inch piece (optional, for extra depth)

Method

  1. In a 6-quart saucepan, combine the dashi stock, soy sauce, mirin, sugar, and sake. If using, add the kombu piece.

  2. Set the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar.

  3. Reduce heat to low and simmer gently, uncovered, to let the flavors meld.

  4. Remove from heat, discard the kombu if used, and let the sauce cool to room temperature.

  5. Transfer the sauce to a jar or airtight container and refrigerate until well chilled before serving with cold soba noodles.

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Rate this recipe

★ 4.6 (1)

Soba Dipping Sauce

This traditional Japanese dipping sauce combines dashi, soy sauce, and mirin for a savory, slightly sweet broth that pairs with chilled soba noodles. Served cold or at room temperature, it's a staple of summer noodle meals and comes together quickly on the stovetop. Make it ahead and keep it chilled for easy weeknight dinners.

45 min 16 oz 65 cal

Ingredients

  • 2 cups dashi stock
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce
  • 1/3 cup mirin
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 tablespoon sake
  • 1 piece kombu, 2-inch piece (optional, for extra depth)

Method

  1. 1

    In a 6-quart saucepan, combine the dashi stock, soy sauce, mirin, sugar, and sake. If using, add the kombu piece.

  2. 2

    Set the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar.

  3. 3

    Reduce heat to low and simmer gently, uncovered, to let the flavors meld.

  4. 4

    Remove from heat, discard the kombu if used, and let the sauce cool to room temperature.

  5. 5

    Transfer the sauce to a jar or airtight container and refrigerate until well chilled before serving with cold soba noodles.