We'll introduce classic and unique condiments for somen noodles! We'll also explain the role of each condiment

We'll introduce a variety of condiments for somen noodles, from classic to unusual! We'll also explain the role of each condiment.

[Classic] Condiments for somen noodles

Types of condiments for somen noodles [Unusual varieties]

[By type of broth] Recommended condiments

What exactly is the role of condiments in somen noodles?

Here are some recommended somen noodle recipes!

Let's try arranging somen noodles using condiments!

[Classic] Condiments for somen noodles

First, let's take a look at the types and characteristics of the standard condiments used with somen noodles.

These are all condiments that add a rich flavor to somen noodles. Many of them offer a refreshing and invigorating taste, and they pair perfectly with cold somen noodles, making them ideal for the hot summer! By paying attention to a few key points, you can enhance the flavor, so please give them a try.

While the classic condiments for somen noodles are undeniably delicious, why not try some unusual condiments to enjoy a new flavor? Below, we introduce some unique condiments for somen noodles.

celery

Celery, with its distinctive strong aroma, pairs well with somen noodles. While it's delicious chopped and used as a garnish, it's also recommended as an ingredient. Try enjoying Western-style variations by combining it with tomatoes, seafood, and other ingredients.

Cilantro

Coriander, known as "coriander" in English and "xiangcai" in Chinese, has a distinctive flavor that instantly gives somen noodles an ethnic twist. It's recommended to make the noodle dipping sauce ethnic by using fish sauce and lemon juice. The stems and roots have a stronger aroma than the leaves, so it's best to use them as an ingredient rather than a condiment.

onion

Onions, with their delicious balance of spiciness and sweetness, are another ingredient you should try as a condiment for somen noodles. They pair well with bonito broth, giving the soup a deep and rich flavor. Try using them finely chopped or thinly sliced. Slicing them thinly against the grain and soaking them in water will reduce the spiciness.

garlic

Grated or finely chopped garlic is also a great condiment for somen noodles. Its distinctive, strong aroma will whet your appetite, making you want to keep eating! It's a versatile condiment that goes well with various somen noodle dishes, including Japanese, Western, Chinese, and ethnic cuisines.

Dried bonito flakes

Adding shaved bonito flakes as a condiment greatly enhances the flavor of the broth. While bonito flakes are commonly used, there are also flakes made from other fish such as tuna, mackerel, and sardines. There are also various ways of shaving the flakes, from thinly shaved flakes like hana katsuobushi to thick shavings, finely crushed flakes, and powdered types. The taste varies depending on the type of fish and how it is shaved, so please try them out!

Chili peppers and shichimi (Japanese seven-spice blend)

Adding chili peppers as a condiment provides a spicy accent that enhances the deliciousness of the somen noodles. Also, shichimi togarashi, made from seven ingredients including chili peppers, sesame seeds, sansho pepper, and shiso leaves, is a perfect match for somen noodles! Just a little bit adds richness to the flavor, giving simple somen noodles a more complex taste.

Yuzu

Yuzu, which adds an elegant and refreshing aroma, is a condiment frequently used in Japanese cuisine. When using it as a condiment for somen noodles, try grating the peel or finely chopping it. The aroma of yuzu will waft through the air, allowing you to enjoy a higher level of flavor. For those who want to enjoy the flavor of yuzu even more, we also recommend squeezing yuzu juice and adding it to the dipping sauce.

Kabosu

Kabosu, like yuzu, is a Japanese citrus fruit. It is characterized by its larger size than yuzu, and has a fruity aroma and tartness that makes it a perfect match for somen noodles! We recommend cutting it into wedges and serving it with somen, then squeezing the juice over it halfway through to change the flavor.

[By type of broth] Recommended condiments

In our explanation of unusual condiments, we also introduced some recommended dipping sauces, but here we've created a table showing which condiments pair well with different types of dipping sauces, so please use it as a reference.

We've introduced some dipping sauces and condiments that pair well together, but of course, feel free to mix and match! Try adding yuzu peel to a spicy Korean-style gochujang dipping sauce, or enjoy experimenting with combinations you've never tried before.

We've introduced the characteristics of various condiments that are essential for somen noodles, but here let's take a look at what condiments actually are and what role they play.

What are condiments?

Condiments are a general term for vegetables and fruits with strong aromas or flavors, such as wasabi, ginger, and green onions. Adding just a small amount to a dish adds a unique flavor profile, including aroma, spiciness, and sourness, giving the dish more depth of flavor.

In addition to being used with somen noodles, incorporating these ingredients into your daily cooking will significantly enhance the flavor of your dishes. They also serve as a great way to add color and accent to your meals, such as using green onions, perilla leaves, and Japanese ginger.

It was originally used as a medical term.

As the name "medicinal taste" suggests, the term "medicinal taste" was originally used as a medical term. Since ancient times in China, it has been believed that herbal medicines possess one or more of the five tastes—sour, bitter, sweet, spicy, and salty—and that each of these has medicinal properties.

Ginger, with its strong aroma and flavor, was added in small amounts as an auxiliary ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine and was called "kayakumi" (added condiments). It is said that this is how strong-flavored ingredients added to dishes came to be called "yakumi" (condiments).

Here are some recommended somen noodle recipes!

Now, let's introduce some recommended somen noodle recipes. We've picked out a variety of recipes, from hearty meat miso somen to refreshing somen with lemon and perilla leaves. Be sure to check them out!

Refreshing salted somen noodles

While somen noodles are typically eaten with a soy sauce-based dipping sauce, you should definitely try this salt-based sauce as well. The refreshing taste, enhanced by the flavor of garlic, will have you reaching for more!

Addictive eggplant and meat miso somen noodles

Let me introduce you to eggplant and meat miso somen noodles, a dish so delicious you'll be hooked! The rich meat miso with a hint of spiciness is exquisite! Be sure to add it to your repertoire.

Lemon-scented tuna and perilla leaf somen noodles for a refreshing taste.

Let's make a refreshing somen noodle dish with tuna and perilla leaves. While the dish is delicious on its own with flavorful tuna, adding lemon and perilla leaves as toppings adds a refreshing aroma, making it an appetizing dish! This recipe is perfect for hot days.

Plum somen noodles with plenty of condiments

How about some plum somen noodles with plenty of condiments? The rich flavor comes from using lots of condiments like myoga ginger, regular ginger, green onions, and perilla leaves, and the sourness of the plums is a perfect match! In this recipe, we mashed the pickled plums into a paste, but you can make it even easier by using plum paste from a tube.

Addictive green onion miso sauce, endless somen noodles

Here's a quick and easy recipe for endless somen noodles with green onion miso sauce. The rich miso sauce, infused with the flavor of green onions and the spiciness of chili oil, coats the noodles perfectly, making it irresistibly delicious! It's quick and easy to make, so it's a great recipe for busy days.

Let's try arranging somen noodles using condiments!

This time, we introduced some classic and unique condiments for somen noodles. By adding aromas and spiciness with condiments, your usual somen will become a much more flavorful dish! Please refer to the recipes introduced in the latter half of the article and try using condiments to enjoy somen variations at home.