How to Eat Soba

Soba noodles are thin, spaghetti-like noodles made from buckwheat. You’ll find them served in many Japanese restaurants, particularly those that specialize in noodle dishes.

Because of the buckwheat, soba is protein-rich and full of vitamins. Never tried them? Here are a few soba-eating tips.

• Lean close to the plate when eating soba noodles, especially when eating with chopsticks.
• Condiments may include daikon radish, green onions, wasabi and red-pepper mix. This varies by restaurant, of course, but go ahead and try whatever’s in front of you. You’ll want to add them to the sauce.
• Pick up a chuck of soba, dip it into the sauce bowl and then eat away.
• You can ask for a fork and/or spoon, but that’s not the traditional Japanese way to eat soba.
• You may be offered boiling water at the end of the meal to pour into your sauce bowl to make a soup.
• It’s generally agreed that you can slurp your noodles noisily while eating.