4 types of somen noodle soup + sesame sauce

Which soup will you choose for your somen noodles this year?

Somen noodles are an essential part of the summer diet. That's why it can be difficult to decide which dipping sauce to use this year. I myself feel like trying out different dipping sauces around this time of year. For those of you who feel like that, we have prepared the "4 Types of Somen Dipping Sauce + Sesame Sauce" set, which adds sesame sauce to the "4 Types of Somen Dipping Sauce Tasting Set."

Shokunin Shoyu No.

First, compare the taste of four types of dashi soy sauce

We compared four types of dashi soy sauce from Shokunin Shoyu that are easy to use as soup stock! The ratio of soy sauce to water is recommended by each brewery. (It is written on each bottle.)

And speaking of somen noodles, condiments are essential, right? We looked into the compatibility of some basic condiments with somen soup.

There will be different preferences for each feature.

The basic types of somen noodle soup are "tsuyu" and "dashi soy sauce." "Tsuyu" and "dashi soy sauce" are based on dark soy sauce, making them easy for children to eat. On the other hand, "Happo Dashi" and "Jet Black" are a little more unique, and are a matter of personal preference.

Simple with traditional broth

First of all, there's the classic "tsuyu" (soup base). This is a simple yet timeless flavor that allows you to enjoy the deliciousness of somen noodles in the most honest way. It's a soup base that could be called the "standard." First, the rich aroma of bonito stock and the richness of soy sauce spread softly, followed by a gentle sweetness. It's perfect for chilled somen noodles on a hot day, and it brings out the flavor of the noodles themselves.

The standard condiments, chopped green onions and sesame, go well with the soup, leaving a clean aftertaste. It also pairs perfectly with homemade tempura or deep-fried vegetables. If you're not sure what to choose, we can confidently recommend this soup.

A mellow, flavorful soup

Next is the "Dashi Soy Sauce Made with Domestic Organic Soy Sauce," which has a mellow aroma and a strong soy sauce flavor, with the flavor and umami of dashi remaining in the aftertaste. When used as a soup base, the sweetness is surprisingly strong. It's delicious not only with chilled somen noodles, but also with salad somen noodles and boiled harusame noodles.

We especially recommend the shiso leaf condiment. Its refreshing summer aroma complements the sweet broth perfectly, making it easy to eat. The mellow and gentle flavor that can be enjoyed by the whole family, from children to seniors, is the main attraction of this broth.

Rich soup with a crisp wasabi

"Jet Black" is a dashi soy sauce based on rich, umami-packed tamari soy sauce. It has a stronger soy sauce flavor and sweetness than any other dipping sauce. It is not only good for somen noodles, but it may also be good as a dipping sauce for udon or soba noodles. It clings well to the noodles, making it perfect for those looking for a satisfying meal. The dipping sauce does not become diluted even if you continue to eat it for a long time, and the flavor will be satisfying until the last bite.

For adults, we recommend adding a little wasabi to enjoy a spicy accent. It may be unorthodox, but I also like to add chili oil to create a different flavor. When you want to eat something hearty or enjoy a more punchy flavor, be sure to give it a try.

The refreshing Happo Dashi is packed with condiments!

The main ingredient of "Happo Dashi" is the dashi! The flavor of the dashi is felt first and foremost, and the soy sauce and mirin gently envelop the whole dish. It has a refreshing yet deep and sharp taste. While reasonably priced somen noodles from the supermarket are of course good, you'll want to try some of the better quality somen noodles in a paulownia wood box. The sweetness is moderate, so some people may wish it was a little sweeter.

If you add lots of condiments such as ginger, myoga, and shiso leaves, the aroma will spread all at once and you will feel refreshed. My favorite way to eat it is to eat it as "medicinal somen" in a slightly luxurious large bowl with plenty of condiments.

My favorite sesame sauce

Each bottle of this sesame sauce contains approximately 30,000 sesame seeds, making it incredibly rich! The main ingredients are sesame paste, sugar, and Taihei whole soy soy sauce. Instead of brewed vinegar or thickeners, apple cider vinegar and agar are used to create a rich, slightly sour finish. Garlic and sesame oil are also added, giving the sauce a deep flavor.

When used with somen noodles, the rich flavor and sweetness of the sesame match perfectly with the smooth texture of the noodles. It is quite rich when used as is with the dipping sauce, so I often mix it with a little tsuyu soup.

My summer somen situation

Somen noodles are a summer staple in my household. Somen noodles alone aren't enough, so I pick out condiments, meat, vegetables, and other things I have at home that go well with the noodles, and try to make it look as fancy as possible. This is quite important, as the taste is completely different if you eat it with the feeling of "Oh, somen noodles again" or "Just somen noodles?" versus "Yay! Today's somen noodles have XX in them!"

And of course, the most important thing is the tsuyu (soup base). Trying and comparing a few of your favorites makes for a really fun meal. However, if you only use regular noodle tsuyu, you inevitably get bored of it halfway through. That's when our family turns to sesame sauce. By alternating between sesame sauce and the tsuyu, you can enjoy the dish until the very end, so we can't live without it!

What's more, sesame sauce can be arranged in a variety of ways. Considering the compatibility with the side dishes, I add sesame oil, chili oil, or sometimes a little mayonnaise, and enjoy a slightly different flavor each time. My husband and I now agree that "we can't imagine somen without sesame sauce." However, I get bored of just sesame sauce, so our summer somen style in our house is to prepare at least two different types and eat them depending on our mood that day.

Summer family time filled with lively conversation

This sophisticated set of four somen noodle dipping sauces plus sesame sauce will instantly make your dinner table more enjoyable, from classic flavors to a little more adventurous. We hope you'll enjoy comparing the flavors with this set, searching for your "favorite" and experimenting with different combinations. It'll liven up your summer dinner table and get everyone talking!

"No, no, I want to make somen soup!"
"I also use dashi soy sauce, but I'd like to make it when I have time."
"I want to compare the taste of our homemade soup and dashi soy sauce."

We also have a recommended set for you! Please take a look at this too.

Text: Miho Matano (Shokunin Soy Sauce)