Soba Noodles with Dashi, Poached Egg and Scallions

(18)

Chef Douglas Keane of Cyrus restaurant in Healdsburg, California, and an F&W Best New Chef 2006 creates a quick but flavorful broth using kombu (a type of seaweed) and dashi powder (an instant Japanese stock made from shaved bonito—tuna flakes). He poaches eggs in the broth and serves them for a protein-rich lunch or even breakfast. More Delicious Asian Noodles

Soba Noodles with Dashi, Poached Egg and Scallions
Photo: © Lucy Schaeffer
Active Time:
15 mins
Total Time:
40 mins
Yield:
2
Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

  • One 1-ounce piece of kombu

  • 4 cups water

  • 2 tablespoons dashi powder (see Note)

  • 4 ounces dried soba noodles

  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil

  • 2 heads of baby bok choy, halved lengthwise

  • 2 large eggs

  • 2 tablespoons thinly sliced scallions

  • 2 teaspoons soy sauce

  • 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice

  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper

Directions

  1. In a medium saucepan, cover the kombu with the water and simmer gently until the kombu rises to the surface, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat. Add the dashi powder and let steep for 20 minutes. Strain the broth through a fine mesh strainer.

  2. Return the broth to the saucepan and bring to a simmer over moderate heat. Add the soba noodles and the sesame oil and cook for 3 minutes. Add the bok choy and submerge them in the broth with a spoon. Crack one of the eggs at a time into a small bowl and gently tip it into the warm broth. Poach the eggs until the whites are just set and the yolk are still runny, about 4 minutes. Remove from the heat.

  3. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the eggs to bowls. Stir the scallions, soy sauce, lime juice and crushed red pepper into the broth. Transfer the soba noodles and bok choy to the bowls, pour the broth on top and serve immediately.

Notes

Dashi powder is available at many health food stores and at Asian markets.

Originally appeared: March 2011

Related Articles