Cold Soba buckwheat noodles are the best food in summer when it’s too hot and you have no appetite. They are cold, delicious, and nutritious. In this recipe, we add green vegetables, so it’s even healthier! Fried Tofu croutons are crunchy, packed with protein, and a good alternative to bready croutons. This also uses all plant-based ingredients, so safe to eat for vegetarians. If you want to make it ahead, prepare greens and soba separately, and don’t mix with the dressing until just before you eat. That way the dish stays fresh, not soggy. Hope you like it!
Kitsune Udon (きつねうどん) is Udon noodles in hot Dashi soup topped with Aburaage that has been cooked in a sweet and salty sauce. Although you don’t often see Kitsune Udon in Japanese restaurants in the US, it is one of the most popular dishes and a staple menu item at Udon restaurants in Japan.
Kitsune is “fox” in Japanese, but don’t worry, we don’t use fox meat in the dish. Some people think the dish may have been named because of a folk tale that Aburaage is a fox’s favorite food. Others think it is called Kitsune because of the brown color that is similar to a fox. In fact, we often use “Kitsune Iro” (fox color) to describe a brown color in cooking.
Inarizushi (いなり寿司) is a kind of sushi or rice ball. Sushi rice is stuffed in seasoned Aburaage tofu pouches. Inarizushi is technically sushi, but it is not something you order at nice sushi restaurants. It is easily found at supermarket delis, but, as you know, home made is the best. Inarizushi is a very casual food and a perfect lunch for picnics because it’s best eaten right from your hands.