Japanese cuisine is synonymous with simplicity, health, and art—Green tea soba is no exception.
This distinctive noodle dish combines the earthy flavor of traditional soba with the subtle notes of matcha, which results in an appealing green-hued meal that’s as refreshing as it is nutritious.
While soba noodles have been around in Japan since the Edo period (1603-1867), green tea soba is a relatively modern invention (likely dating back to the late 20th century). The rise in popularity of green tea soba coincides with the current global interest in Japanese cuisine as well as green tea’s health benefits.
In this article, we will explore what makes green tea soba so special, its benefits, and how you can enjoy this unique Japanese delicacy.
What is Green Tea Soba?
Green tea soba (also known as cha soba) is a Japanese noodle made by combining buckwheat flour with matcha, a finely ground powder of specially grown green tea leaves—This results in a smooth, firm noodle with a striking green color and a subtle hint of green tea flavor.
Traditional soba noodles are well-known in Japan for their health benefits, and adding matcha enhances both the taste and nutritional value—Buckwheat is a gluten-free grain, high in fiber and protein, and contains important vitamins. The addition of green tea powder to these soba buckwheat noodles gives a boost in antioxidants and the fiber content also promotes healthy digestion and helps keep you full for longer.
While this could be unusual in Western countries, these noodles are often enjoyed cold, particularly during the hot summer months, when they are served as zaru soba noodles accompanied by tsuyu sauce (a dipping sauce). In colder months, they can be served in hot soups.
The green color of the noodles is not just visually appealing but also symbolic in Japanese culture—Green is associated with nature, freshness, and health, which aligns with the benefits of both soba and green tea.
Eat Your Tea: Making Green Tea Soba at Home
Making green tea soba at home is surprisingly easy and requires only a few ingredients. Hence, we would like to share a quick guide with you to help you prepare this refreshing dish:
Ingredients:
- 200g of buckwheat flour (soba).
- 10g of matcha (green tea powder).
- Water (for mixing).
- Ice-cold water (for chilling the noodles after boiling).
Instructions:
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add the green tea soba noodles, and cook them according to the package instructions (usually for about 3 or 4 minutes). Stir gently to prevent the noodles from sticking together.
- Once cooked, drain the noodles and immediately rinse them under cold water. You can also submerge them in ice water for an extra-chilled effect (especially if you’re planning to serve them cold).
- Serve the noodles with a dipping sauce (tsuyu) and garnishes (such as shredded nori, green onions, and wasabi). Alternatively, you can add them to a hot broth.
Tip: You do not need to make your own noodles from scratch—You can find pre-made green tea soba noodles at most Japanese or Asian grocery stores. They are also widely available online.
How to Serve Green Tea Soba
Since green tea soba is incredibly versatile, it can be served in various ways:
- Zaru Soba (Chilled): This is the most popular way to enjoy green tea soba (especially in warmer months, as we mentioned before). The chilled noodles are served on a bamboo mat (zaru) with a side of dipping sauce (tsuyu), a savory blend of soy sauce, mirin, and dashi broth.
- Hot Soba: In colder months, green noodles can be served in a hot broth. The noodles are placed in a flavorful broth made from dashi, soy sauce, and mirin, and often topped with ingredients like tempura shrimp, soft-boiled eggs, or fish cake kamaboko.
- Creative Toppings: Beyond traditional garnishes, you can add sesame seeds, tempura vegetables, or a sprinkle of chili flakes for a bit of heat.
How to Pair Green Tea Soba
- Seafood:
- Delicate white fish like sea bream or flounder complement the subtle bitterness of soba wonderfully.
- Light shellfish such as scallops or boiled shrimp are also popular pairings, as their sweetness contrasts fantastically with the noodles.
- Some chefs pair green soba with uni (sea urchin) for a luxurious dish.
- Vegetable:
- Crisp vegetables (for instance, cucumber, daikon radish, spring onions) are served alongside cold green tea soba to add texture and freshness.
- Tempura vegetables (especially sweet ones like kabocha squash or sweet potato) offer a fantastic contrast in flavor and texture.
- Sauce:
- Traditional tsuyu is often modified for green tea soba with a touch of matcha to the sauce, in order to enhance the tea flavors.
- Sesame-based sauces are sometimes used, as the nutty flavor complements the earthiness of the soba beautifully.
- Beverage:
- Perhaps counterintuitively, green tea is not always the best pairing for this dish. We recommend a light, crisp sake or a beer to cleanse the palate.
- For non-alcoholic options, a cold barley tea (mugicha) is a good option.
- Dessert Applications:
- There are pastry chefs who have incorporated green tea soba into desserts, using the noodles as a base for sweet dishes alongside ingredients like red bean paste or kinako (roasted soybean flour).
Enjoy Japan’s Green Threads of Flavor
Clearly, Japanese green tea soba’s delicate taste, combined with the nutritional powerhouses of buckwheat and matcha, makes it a versatile dish that can be enjoyed year-round.
We hope that you can give green tea soba a try at home or at Tomo Japanese Restaurant, where we will be waiting to offer you a delectable version—You will relish our green tea soba alongside exquisite vegetables and tempura shrimp.
