Oroshi Soba Recipe
When the weather is warm and you’re craving something light yet satisfying, Oroshi Soba is the perfect meal. This refreshing Japanese noodle dish combines chilled buckwheat noodles with grated daikon radish, savory mentsuyu dipping sauce, and tenkasu (crispy tempura bits) for a delicious balance of flavors and textures. It’s quick to prepare, incredibly refreshing, and ideal for hot summer days when you want a meal that feels light but still satisfying.
What is Oroshi Soba?
Oroshi Soba is a classic Japanese cold noodle dish made with chilled soba (buckwheat) noodles, daikon oroshi (grated daikon radish), mentsuyu sauce, and tenkasu (crispy tempura bits). The word oroshi means “grated” in Japanese, referring to the freshly grated daikon radish that gives this dish its signature refreshing flavor.
Soba noodles are one of Japan’s most beloved noodle varieties and can be enjoyed either hot in a flavorful broth or cold with a dipping sauce. During Japan’s hot and humid summers, cold soba dishes become especially popular because they are light, cooling, and easy to eat even when the heat affects your appetite.
Oroshi Soba is a staple at soba restaurants throughout Japan during the summer months. The mild peppery flavor and natural juiciness of grated daikon pair beautifully with chilled noodles, while the savory mentsuyu and crunchy tenkasu add richness and texture. Together, they create a simple yet incredibly satisfying meal that comes together in just minutes.
This recipe is especially easy if you keep a bottle of mentsuyu in your refrigerator. It’s a wonderful dish for busy weeknights, quick lunches, or anytime you’re looking for a refreshing Japanese meal.
Ingredients and Substitutions
Soba Noodles
Dried soba noodles are an excellent pantry staple and cook in just a few minutes. Simply boil them according to the package directions, then rinse thoroughly under cold running water to remove excess starch and chill the noodles. If you don’t have soba, you can substitute chilled udon or somen noodles for a different but equally delicious variation.
Mentsuyu
Mentsuyu is a versatile Japanese savory sauce made from soy sauce, mirin, sake, and Katsuobushi bonito flakes. Our homemade mentsuyu as well as most bottled versions are concentrated, so simply dilute them with water according to the package instructions before serving. Homemade mentsuyu is easy to prepare, but bottled mentsuyu is widely available at Japanese and many Asian grocery stores, making this recipe even more convenient.
Daikon Oroshi
Daikon oroshi is freshly grated Japanese daikon radish. It has a mild peppery flavor with a subtle sweetness and high water content that makes this dish especially refreshing. If you can’t find daikon, thinly sliced cucumber makes a light and crisp substitute, although the flavor will be milder.
Tenkasu (Tempura Bits)
Tenkasu are small, crispy pieces of fried tempura batter that add a delicious crunch and rich, savory flavor to the noodles. They are commonly sold in bags at Japanese grocery stores and are an easy way to add authentic texture to the dish. While you can make tenkasu at home, store-bought versions are convenient and work perfectly for this recipe.
More Japanese Cold Noodles Recipes
Video
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cook dried Soba according to the package. Wash in running cold water and set aside while it cools.
- Grate Daikon, cut green onions thinly, and grate ginger root.
- Mix Mentsuyu and water in a bowl and set aside.
- Place cooked noodles in a serving bowl, top with Daikon, Tenkasu, green onions, ginger, and Nori, and pour Mentsuyu over.
The recipe was originally published on July 28, 2014. The post was fully updated on August 3, 2026 with revised text and new photos.
Had this for lunch yesterday….loved it! Thanks.
Lisa,
thanks for trying our oroshi soba recipe! Try our cold Somen recipes too!