Soba Noodle, Healthy Choice

Soba Noodles, healthy choice

Soba (buckwheat) noodles are popular Japanese food. These noodles, used in both hot and cold dishes, look like spaghetti.

When you do not have a big appetite, or you prefer a rather light meal, Soba could be a perfect choice for you.

There are many Soba noodle shops all over Japan. It has a lot of health benefits.

Soba noodles are a good source of fiber. Soba noodles contain a higher-quality protein.

Soba noodles provide iron, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc and potassium.

Photo: Cold soba noodles on bamboo basket and dipping sauc

The noodles are especially high in phosphorus. Phosphorus is found in every cell in your body, but its primary role is to assist with the formation of bones and teeth. They are also a source of B vitamins. B vitamins help process food into energy. They are also necessary for the formation of red blood cells.

Besides the above, Soba noodle is tasty and go well with Tempura, or fish simmered with soy sauce and sugar, or egg drop soup.

It is Japanese tradition to eat soba at the year-end, which is called "year-passing soba", wishing a happy new year.

Soba Gozen -  JPY2,300 (probably) with Tenpura

at "SHIMIZU" New Takanawa Prince Hotel 

3-13-1 Takanawa, Minato-ku, Tokyo

http://www.princehotels.com/en/newtakanawa/

********

“UMAYA” , Akasaka, Tokyo

We went to the restaurant in Akasaka at lunch time almost at the end of the year. It was crowded with business people working in the area. 

This restaurant is produced by Ennosuke Ichikawa, a famous Kabuki actor. It is located just off from a busy street of Akasaka, but you can find a Japanese traditional entrance, interior and other objects. We took our shoes off at the entrance and went upstairs.

We ordered lunch box, which is inspired and arranged from “lunch box for Kabuki actors”.  A variety of dishes on small plates are arranged in the box. Price is reasonable around JPN1,000.