Soba is noodles made from buckwheat flour. We also call soba, the noodle of a combination of buckwheat and wheat flours. When soba is made from buckwheat only, we call it "Jyuwari soba" that means 100% of buckwheat. But the noodle of a combination of buckwheat and wheat flours is more popular than jyuwari soba. Soba is served either chilled with a dipping sauce or in hot broth. Zaru soba is cold soba served on a wickerwork platter with a dipping sauce including green onions and wasabi. In the picture, the platter is not a wickerwork platter. Because it is a home-made zaru soba. We can buy dried soba and a dipping sauce in supermarkets and the taste is good. Soba is known as a healthier noodle than other noodles, ramen and udon because soba contains rich amino acids. There are many soba menus in soba restaurants throughout Japan. Please try eating a local soba in your sightseeing place.
