Gluten Free Japanese Noodles Recipe

Hey there, noodle lovers! Get ready to embark on a flavor-packed culinary adventure with my go-to recipe for gluten-free soba noodles that’s about to hit all your taste buds with a beautiful medley of sesame, ginger, and fresh veggies. 🎋✨ Let’s dive into these vibrant bowls of yum!

Creating dishes that are both delectable and appropriate for all eaters, no matter their dietary restrictions, is something I love. My Japanese noodle recipe—made gluten-free, of course—features the nutty richness of sesame oil and the umami of gluten-free soy sauce.

Bright with the colors of carrots and bell peppers, this flavorful dish is also nutritious—something I think you’ll enjoy as much as I do.

Ingredients

• Gluten-Free Soba Noodles: Made from buckwheat, high in fiber and protein, heart-friendly.
• Sesame Oil: Adds nutty flavor, rich in healthy fats, enhances dish aroma.
• Gluten-Free Soy Sauce: Provides umami, enhances savory notes, gluten-conscious choice.
• Mirin: Sweet rice wine, adds subtle sweetness, balances salty flavors.
• Rice Vinegar: Offers mild acidity, sharpens flavors, low in calories.
• Honey/Maple Syrup: Natural sweetener, balances savory, adds depth.
• Ginger: Aromatic spice, supports digestion, enhances warmth.

Ingredient Quantities

• 200g gluten-free soba noodles
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons gluten-free soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon mirin
• 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
• 1 medium carrot, julienned
• 1 small bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 cup sugar snap peas, trimmed
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, toasted
• Optional: 1 teaspoon chili flakes

How to Make this

1. Prepare the gluten-free soba noodles according to the directions on the package. When done, drain the noodles, rinsing them under cold water, and set them aside.

2. Whisk together the sesame oil, gluten-free soy sauce, mirin, rice vinegar, and honey or maple syrup in a small mixing bowl.

3. A bit of sesame oil should be heated in a large skillet or wok, over medium-high heat.

4. Include the minced garlic and grated ginger in the skillet. Sauté for about half a minute until you can smell their beautiful fragrance.

5. Add the carrot (cut into julienne), bell pepper (cut into slices), and sugar snap peas to the skillet. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are tender-crisp.

6. Pour the sauce mix over the vegetables in the skillet, stirring to coat them evenly.

7. In the skillet, add the cooked soba noodles and toss them together with everything else until they are warmed through and well coated in the sauce.

8. When using them, stir in the chili flakes for added heat.

9. Take off the heat and move the noodles to dishes for serving.

10. Before serving, add sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds as garnish. Enjoy your Japanese noodles that are free from gluten!

Equipment Needed

1. Pot (for boiling noodles)
2. Colander (for draining noodles)
3. Small mixing bowl (for whisking sauce ingredients)
4. Whisk (for mixing sauce)
5. Large skillet or wok (for stir-frying)
6. Measuring spoons (for measuring oil, soy sauce, mirin, vinegar, honey/maple syrup)
7. Knife (for mincing garlic and slicing vegetables)
8. Cutting board (for preparing vegetables)
9. Grater (for grating the ginger)
10. Stirring spoon or spatula (for sautéing and mixing)

FAQ

• Can I make this recipe vegan?Certainly! Just replace honey with maple syrup to make it a vegan-friendly dish.
• How do I toast sesame seeds?If you want to toast sesame seeds, start by putting them in a skillet that isn’t wet. Then, heat that skillet over a medium flame. While the seeds are in the skillet, you should make sure to stir them almost constantly. After about 2-3 minutes, you should remove the seeds from the heat. They should now be a golden brown color, and they should smell very nutty.
• Can I add protein to this dish?Definitely! You can amp up the protein by adding tofu, chicken, or shrimp. Cook them separately and stir them in at the very end.
• Is there an alternative to gluten-free soy sauce?Sure, you can use tamari as a gluten-free alternative to soy sauce.
• How do I prevent gluten-free noodles from becoming sticky?Immediately after boiling, rinse the noodles that have been cooked in cold water so as to be certain that the cooking process has stopped and to prevent any sticking of the noodles.
• Can I make this dish spicier?Certainly, feel free to include the optional chili flakes to reach your personally desired degree of spiciness.

Gluten Free Japanese Noodles Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Soba Noodles That Are Gluten-Free: You may use gluten-free rice noodles or certified gluten-free buckwheat noodles as substitutes.
Sesame oil: More flavor comes from toasted sesame oil, which is what you want in this dish. But if you only have sesame oil, it will still be delicious. And if you don’t have either, light olive oil is a perfectly acceptable substitute—with not nearly as much flavor, of course. But that’s okay.
Mirin: If mirin is not available, combine rice vinegar with a little excess honey or maple syrup.
Honey or maple syrup: Agave nectar or brown rice syrup can be used instead for sweetness.
Sugar snap peas: Substitute green beans or snow peas for a comparable crunch.

Pro Tips

1. To enhance the texture of the vegetables, cut them uniformly. This ensures they cook evenly and maintain a pleasant crunch.

2. For an extra depth of flavor, consider marinating the vegetables in the sauce mixture for about 10 minutes before stir-frying them.

3. To prevent the soba noodles from clumping after rinsing, toss them with a small amount of sesame oil before setting them aside.

4. For an added layer of flavor, toast the sesame seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat until they are golden brown and fragrant, ensuring to stir frequently to avoid burning.

5. If you like a smoky, umami punch, consider adding a few drops of toasted sesame oil as a finishing touch right before serving.