Last night I really wanted to have something soupy but still with some consistency…something “asiany” with some miso flavoring…I had recently bought some soba noodles, so why not make a noodle soup with miso and gomasio?

When I visited Japan, about 4 years ago, one of the memories that will always come back to me was the noodle soup slurping. Japanese people make sooo many noises eating their noodles, it’s almost embarrassing, but for them it’s considered good manners, so heck, why not try too? especially when the noodles are in a soup, it makes that great slimy slurping sound. It’s quite far from western table manners but was so fun to watch (and hear!).

One of the vegetables in the dish is similar to bok choy but bigger, in Italy we call it “coste di bietole” (literally means beet stalks) but they are more of a swiss chard but without the yellow or pink color.. use whatever leafy green seasonal healthy veggie you find 🙂
I added gomasio at the end, which is toasted sesame seeds and salt mixed together, you can either buy it or make it yourself.
Also I was out of tamari (soy sauce) that would have been delicious in here. if you have on hand, just add a splash at the end.

Ingredients: (for 1-2 servings)
-100g soba noodles (buckwheat noodles)
-1 carrot, peeled and chopped side ways
-1 small shallot
-1 clove garlic
-3/4 chard leaves plus stalk (or use bok choy), chopped small
-1 tbls miso paste
-1 inch ginger, chopped small
-2-3 cups boiled water
-olive oil and gomasio for dressings

Start by bringing a small pot of water to boil, add some salt and cook your noodles according to the package (usually around 5 min), then drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking.
In another pot sauté the shallot and garlic, chopped and minced. Add some salt and the chopped ginger and cook for further 2 minutes. Then add the carrot and chard and the boiling water. In the meantime in a small glass mix the miso paste with a couple spoons of the cooking water to thin it out.
After 5 minutes turn heat off and combine the vegetables with the noodles and miso. Serve in a bowl and add a drizzle of olive oil and gomasio.
Try eating it with noodles!