Soba noodles — buckwheat noodles from Japan.

Noodles come in many varieties, both in terms of size and the mix of ingredients. One of them is soba noodles, which originate from Japan. More often than not, the country of origin and the noodles are tied to the types of crops that could be grown in the region—much like potatoes have become a staple on Danish dinner plates.

Soba noodles appear in almost as many different dishes as potatoes do. From fast food to upscale restaurants, soba is served in a variety of contexts, and you can find dishes suitable for both warm and cold days.

Soba - The Origin

The tradition of eating soba noodles dates back to the Tokugawa period, which lasted from 1603 to 1868 in Japan. At that time every neighborhood had at least one place that served soba noodles in various forms. Many of these establishments also served sake, which is somewhat similar to the restaurants and cafés we know today. Many of those neighborhoods were centered around the area then called Edo, which is now known as Japan’s capital: Tokyo. The population there was generally somewhat wealthier, and it was more common to suffer from a vitamin B deficiency, which could be alleviated by eating soba noodles, since buckwheat contains a lot of vitamin B.

Another fun fact about soba noodles is that in the 1700s there was a popular trend for bicycle couriers to ride out with bowls filled with soba, all stacked on their shoulders. However, this was legislated against in 1931, when the Tokyo police judged that it was dangerous to cycle with soba in that way. Fortunately, food delivery has been modernized today, and the bike couriers no longer ride with stacks of noodles on their shoulders.

Soba noodles - How they are eaten today

Today soba noodles are still eaten primarily in Japan, although they have crossed most of the world’s oceans and waterways, so you can also get them here. The noodles are mainly used in soups, which can be either cold or hot. The soups are usually based on soy sauce and dashi, and are topped with whatever you like. Seasonal ingredients typically dominate the dishes, and are used to balance one another for a delicious experience. Most vegetables are added with little preparation—though in some cases certain items are deep-fried before being added to the dish. Soba noodles can also be used in a cold salad, where the noodles are mixed with sesame dressing and vegetables, which is primarily served outside Japan.

Traditionally, soba noodles are typically served at New Year's in Japan, and they are also given as a gift to new neighbors to welcome them. There is a long tradition of the Japanese giving one another gifts, which are often edible. This involves a number of norms about how to receive a gift and how to give a gift in return, as well as on which occasions it is appropriate to give gifts. It's about showing respect.

Buy soba noodles at Den Kinesiske Købmand

"Hos" — "at" or "with" (typically meaning "at someone's place" or "in the home of") Den Kinesiske Købmand you'll find several different kinds of soba noodles, so there's bound to be some noodles that might tempt you. It could be