If you’re craving a bowl of comforting, flavorful noodles, Negi Tori Soba is the perfect dish to try. This Japanese classic combines soba noodles with tender chicken and aromatic green onions (negi), creating a delicious and satisfying meal that is both hearty and light. The dish is a wonderful balance of textures and flavors, making it a go-to comfort food for cooler weather or when you need something filling yet refreshing.
The foundation of Negi Tori Soba is the soba noodles, made from buckwheat flour, they have a unique earthy flavor and chewy texture that pairs perfectly with brothy soups. In this dish, the soba is served in a savory broth, typically made with soy sauce, mirin, and dashi stock, which gives it a rich, umami base. The simplicity of the broth allows the natural flavors of the chicken and green onions to shine through.
The star ingredient in this dish is the tori (chicken), usually cooked until tender and sliced thin. The chicken is often simmered in the broth, allowing it to absorb the flavors and become juicy and flavorful. The addition of negi (green onions) provides a fresh, slightly sweet contrast to the savory chicken, with a mild yet aromatic flavor that brightens up the dish.
Negi Tori Soba is typically garnished with a few other simple additions, such as a boiled egg, a dash of sesame seeds, or a sprinkle of nori (seaweed). These toppings add texture and extra depth to the dish, enhancing the overall experience.
Whether you’re enjoying it for lunch, dinner, or as a soothing late-night meal, Negi Tori Soba is an easy-to-make, flavorful dish that embodies the essence of Japanese comfort food. It’s a perfect combination of hearty protein, tender noodles, and savory broth that will leave you feeling both satisfied and nourished.
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts boneless, skinless
- 4 Green onions sliced diagonally
- 200 g soba noodles
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp mirin
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1/2 tsp ginger grated
- 1/2 tsp garlic minced
- 1/4 tsp chili flakes
- Salt and pepper to taste
- sesame seeds toasted, for garnish
- Nori seaweed for garnish
Instructions
- In a pot, bring water to a boil and cook the soba noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat the sesame oil over medium heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes per side. Remove from the skillet and let rest for a few minutes. Slice the chicken into thin strips.
- In the same skillet, add the sliced green onions and sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened.
- Add the chicken broth, soy sauce, mirin, grated ginger, minced garlic, and chili flakes to the skillet. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes.
- Add the cooked soba noodles and sliced chicken to the skillet. Stir to combine and cook for another 2-3 minutes until heated through.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve the Negi Tori Soba in bowls, garnished with toasted sesame seeds and nori (seaweed). Enjoy!