Sesame-Ginger Soba Bowls with Edamame and Broccoli
Whip up this quick and satisfying Japanese-inspired meal, perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner. Nutty soba noodles, crisp broccoli, and tender edamame are tossed in a vibrant sesame-ginger dressing for a bowl bursting with flavor.
Servings 3
Calories 555kcal
Equipment
- Saucepan with lid
- Colander or sieve
- cutting board
- Knife
- mixing bowl
- Whisk or fork
- measuring cups and spoons
- kitchen scale
Ingredients
- 225 g soba noodles
- 300 g frozen edamame shelled
- 225 g broccoli florets about one medium head
- 3 spring onions thinly sliced on the diagonal
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 3 cm fresh ginger peeled and grated
- 15 ml toasted sesame oil
- 45 g tahini
- 45 ml soy sauce
- 45 ml freshly squeezed lemon juice about 1 large lemon
- Optional garnish: nori strips or extra spring onions
Instructions
- Bring a saucepan of salted water to a gentle boil.
- Add soba noodles and cook according to package directions (usually 4–5 min).
- During the last 3 min, add broccoli florets and frozen edamame to the boiling water.
- Drain noodles, broccoli, and edamame together in a colander; rinse briefly under cool water to stop cooking and preserve color.
- Meanwhile, in a mixing bowl whisk together sesame oil, tahini, soy sauce, lemon juice, grated ginger, and minced garlic until smooth and creamy.
- Transfer drained noodles, broccoli, and edamame back to the saucepan or a large bowl. Pour the dressing over and toss gently to coat.
- Fold in sliced spring onions and adjust seasoning (add a splash more soy or lemon if needed).
- Divide into three bowls and top with optional nori strips.
Notes
Serving suggestions:
Serve warm or at room temperature. Pair with a simple cucumber salad dressed in rice vinegar or miso soup on the side for a full meal.
To complement the savory, nutty, and zesty flavors of the sesame-ginger soba bowl, simple and refreshing beverages are the best choice. For an alcoholic option, a crisp Japanese rice lager or a dry sake would be ideal. The clean finish and light carbonation of the beer cut through the richness of the tahini dressing, while a chilled sake enhances the umami notes of the soy and edamame. For an alcohol-free pairing, try genmaicha, a Japanese green tea with toasted brown rice. Its nutty, roasted aroma beautifully echoes the sesame and soba in the dish, creating a harmonious and comforting match that can be enjoyed either hot or iced.
Allergens:
- Gluten: Soba noodles often contain wheat flour in addition to buckwheat. Soy sauce also typically contains wheat.
- Soy: The recipe includes edamame (soybeans) and soy sauce.
- Sesame: Tahini and toasted sesame oil are both derived from sesame seeds.
Emission Hotspots:
- Shop to home transportation, if a combustion car is used
Sustainability tips:
- Don't discard the broccoli stems. Peel their tough outer layer, slice them thinly or dice them, and cook them along with the florets. They are nutritious and delicious.
- Similarly, the dark green parts of the spring onions, often discarded, are perfect for slicing and using as a garnish.
- Opt for 100% buckwheat soba noodles if available. Buckwheat is a hardy crop that often requires fewer resources to grow than wheat.
- Walk or bike to the supermarket and farmer’s market
- The peels from your fresh ginger can be saved to brew a fragrant tea or added to a future vegetable stock for extra flavor.
- After juicing the lemon, you can use the zest in the dressing for a more intense citrus flavor, or use the leftover peels to make infused water.
- In traditional Japanese dining, the starchy water left after boiling soba noodles (sobayu) is often enjoyed as a soothing, nutritious drink after the meal. You can mix it with a little of the leftover dressing or a splash of soy sauce.
- Prioritize vegetables grown locally and in-season to cut transport emissions.
- Broccoli is a good source of Vitamin C for your guinea pigs 🐹
- Compost food scraps to reduce methane emissions from landfills and create nutrient-rich soil for gardening