Soba noodles are extremely popular in Japan and feature in a variety of dishes. They have a smooth texture that works perfectly in soups, sauces, and complements many vegetables as they make up hearty dishes that please your eyes as well as your stomach.
As soba noodles are an integral part of Japanese cuisine, you might be wondering, can vegans eat soba noodles?
Noodles cause a lot of trouble for vegans as lots of noodles are made with eggs, which is unsuitable for vegan consumption. However, there are lots of vegan noodles available for vegans to eat, but are soba noodles one of the noodle varieties that are vegan friendly?
If you are in any doubt about whether or not soba noodles are vegan friendly, we have got you covered. We have all of the information that you need to know before you sit down to enjoy a hearty bowl of noodles without worrying about whether they are vegan or not.
What Are Soba Noodles?
Soba noodles are traditionally known as buckwheat noodles as they are made entirely from buckwheat flour.
They are found in a wide range of Japanese dishes as they are extremely versatile and light, so they are the perfect addition to any ramen (see also, ‘What is Shio Ramen?‘) or noodle soup as they offer a lighter texture compared to udon noodles.
They can also be used in stir-frys, salads, or simply added to a dish with a tasty sauce coated over the top of them. With soba noodles, the possibilities are endless. They are incredibly popular in Japanese dishes, meaning that they can be added to almost any dish you want!
Are Soba Noodles Vegan?
As soba noodles are made from buckwheat flour, water, and salt, they are suitable for vegans. If you are looking for a vegan noodle substitute for a Japanese dish in a restaurant, just be sure to ask them to swap the egg noodles for soba to make sure that your dish is completely vegan.
How Are Soba Noodles Cooked?
You don’t need to treat soba noodles any differently from normal noodles or pasta. They are cooked for 7-10 minutes in normal boiling water.
If you are using noodles from a packet, it is always best to follow the cooking instructions included to make sure that you can enjoy them the exact way that they are meant to be cooked.
Vegan Soba Noodles Recipes
If you want to incorporate soba noodles into your diet, here are some vegan soba noodles recipes that you can make at home. These recipes are healthy, delicious, and packed full of flavor. The versatility of the soba noodles means that there is so much that you can do with them!
Sesame Noodles
This recipe for sesame soba noodles will become a favorite if you are looking for a quick and easy meal to put together that is full of flavor.
Firstly, combine tahini, agave, soy sauce, and lime in a bowl and set aside until later.
Cook your soba noodles according to their cooking instructions.
Next, you need to chop up your vegetables. Chop cabbage, kale, scallions, and bell pepper, and then rinse them in a colander to make sure that they are clean.
Once you have chopped and cleaned your vegetables, heat some sesame oil in your pan. Once the oil is heated, add your kale to the pan and cover until it has slightly wilted. Once the kale has wilted, add the rest of your vegetables to the pan and stir until they become crispy.
Remove the pan from the heat. Once your noodles have cooked, add them to the pan that contains the vegetables and mix them through until the noodles and the vegetables are combined.
Pour the sauce into the pan and evenly coat it over the noodles and the vegetables. Add sesame seeds, and then add sriracha or soy sauce depending on your flavor preferences. You can also garnish with cilantro.
Stir Fry
This stir fry that contains soba noodles is healthy, fresh, and completely vegan! It is quick and easy to make so it is perfect for a busy schedule.
Firstly, prepare your sauce. To do this, combine ginger, garlic powder, maple syrup, tamari, peanut butter, and rice vinegar. Set this aside until later.
Next, chop your chosen vegetables. We recommend that you use bell pepper, cabbage, scallions, and snow peas.
Once you have chopped your vegetables, boil your soba noodles. Follow the instructions on the packet to make sure that they don’t become too soft.
Once the noodles are boiling, heat a couple of tablespoons of water in a pan and fry your vegetables until they are soft.
As soon as the noodles are cooked, drain them, add them into the pan with the vegetables, and combine them both.
Finally, after the noodles and the vegetables are combined, pour your sauce into the pan and evenly coat the noodles with the sauce. Serve your stir fry garnished with peanuts to add an extra crunch!
Final Thoughts
To conclude, soba noodles are entirely vegan and can be used as a substitute in lots of Japanese noodle dishes that usually contain egg noodles. Soba noodles are only made from buckwheat flour, water, and salt so they are available for vegans to eat without having to worry.
Soba noodles are lighter than udon noodles but heavier than rice noodles, making them the perfect noodle substitute for vegans. They can be used in a range of different recipes that you can make at home, and the recipes are quick, easy, and delicious.
Soba noodles are cooked in the same way as egg noodles and pasta, you just need to follow the packet instructions.
Finally, soba noodles (see also ‘Are Soba Noodles Good For You?‘) are not only popular with vegans but soba noodles are incorporated into a lot of Japanese dishes that aren’t vegan or vegetarian as they are too tasty to leave out.
You can enjoy all of the great tastes of Japanese cuisine while remaining cruelty-free and 100% vegan!
So, if you’re planning a trip to Japan anytime soon, do exactly that - plan! Read up on all of the amazing things to do here to make the most of your time. I can bet that you’ll still return home feeling like you could’ve explored much more.
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