Chilled Noodles With Cucumbers And Mushrooms
A refreshing chilled noodle dish featuring savory soy and beef broth flavors, complemented by crisp cucumbers and earthy shiitake mushrooms, perfect for hot days or light meals.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup rice vinegar ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon cooking oil ⓘ
- 1/2 cup soy sauce ⓘ
- 1/4 cup beef broth (dashi) ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons sugar ⓘ
- 4 large shiitake mushrooms, sliced into matchstick-sized juliennes
- 1/2 pound soba or somen noodles, cooked, drained, rinsed, and chilled ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. soy sauce ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. sugar ⓘ
- 1/2 lb. soba or somen, cooked, drained, rinsed and chilled ⓘ
Instructions
- Make salad dressing by combining rice vinegar, cooking oil, soy sauce, beef broth, and sugar in a saucepan.
- Simmer the mixture for 5 minutes, then cool and chill.
- Cook the soba or somen noodles, drain, rinse, and chill.
- Slice shiitake mushrooms into matchstick-sized juliennes.
- Combine chilled noodles with sliced mushrooms and fresh cucumbers.
- Pour the prepared dressing over the noodles and toss to combine before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a twist, consider adding sesame oil for extra flavor or experiment with different vegetables like bell peppers or carrots. If you can't find shiitake mushrooms, button mushrooms can be a good substitute. Make sure to rinse the noodles thoroughly to prevent them from sticking together. Adjust the sweetness by varying the amount of sugar based on your preference.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the chilled noodles as a refreshing main dish or as a side to grilled meats or fish. It pairs beautifully with Beef recipes for a complete meal. Garnish with sesame seeds or sliced green onions for added crunch. This dish is perfect for summer gatherings or picnics, making it a versatile addition to your recipe repertoire.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, add a splash of water to prevent the noodles from drying out, and heat gently in a pan over low heat. Alternatively, you can enjoy the dish cold, as the flavors develop beautifully after a day in the fridge.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Chilled Noodles With Cucumbers And Mushrooms contains roughly 156 calories, with 3g protein, 18g carbohydrates, and 9g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (20% of the Daily Value), and a good source of dietary fiber. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2142mg per serving (93% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of noodle?
Yes, you can substitute soba or somen noodles with other types like udon or even rice noodles. Just ensure they are cooked, drained, and chilled according to the package instructions for best results.
How can I make this dish vegetarian?
To make this dish vegetarian, simply omit the beef broth and use vegetable broth instead. You can also add extra vegetables or tofu for additional protein while keeping the flavors intact.
Can I prepare this dish in advance?
Absolutely! This dish is ideal for meal prep. You can make the dressing and cook the noodles a day in advance. Just combine everything right before serving to keep the noodles fresh and crisp.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).