Kitsune Soba
Recipe of Savory Kitsune Soba for Your Lunch
Kitsune Soba is a comforting bowl of buckwheat noodles topped with sweet and savory simmered Abura-age (fried tofu pockets). While you might recognize Abura-age from Inari Sushi, it’s equally delightful paired with a warm bowl of noodles. The sweet soy-based sauce infuses the Abura-age, creating a juicy topping that pairs perfectly with the umami-rich dashi soup and chewy soba noodles.
This recipe became my go-to when I needed to whip up a quick yet satisfying lunch. It’s simple, delicious, and perfect for when you’re short on time but still craving something homemade.
RECIPE
Servings: 2
Time: 30 min
Ingredients:
Soba noodles (enough for 2 servings)
1/4 cup Mentsuyu (Japanese noodle soup base)
2 cups Water
Chopped scallions (for garnish)
For the Simmered Abura-age topping:
3-4 pieces of Aburaage (Fried Tofu Pouches)
1 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp soy sauce
1/2 tbsp Mentsuyu (Japanese soup base)
1/2 tbsp Mirin
1 cup water
My Kitchen Tools:
Instructions:
Prepare the Simmered Aburaage
In a pot, combine sugar, soy sauce, Mentsuyu, mirin, and water.
Add the Aburaage and add Otoshi-buta (drop lid), simmer over low heat for 20–30 minutes, allowing the Abura-age Tofu poucehs to soak up the flavors. Set aside once done.
Cook the Soba Noodles
Boil water in a pot and cook the soba noodles according to the package instructions.
Prepare the Soup Base
In a separate pot, boil 2 cups of water.
In each serving bowl, add Mentsuyu. Dilute it with the hot water.
Assemble the Kitsune Soba
Add the cooked soba noodles to the prepared soup base.
Top with the simmered Aburaage and garnish with chopped scallions.
"Kitsune Soba" translates to "Fox Soba." It features soba noodles (made from buckwheat flour) served in a warm, savory broth made from dashi, soy sauce, and mirin. The highlight of the dish is the Aburaage, thin slices of fried tofu simmered in a sweet soy-based sauce until juicy and flavorful.
Soba noodles have been a part of Japanese cuisine for centuries, valued for their earthy flavor and health benefits. Kitsune Soba builds on this tradition, offering a dish that’s simple yet deeply satisfying, perfect for any season.
Why Is It Called "Kitsune"?
The name "Kitsune," meaning "fox," is rooted in Japanese folklore and cultural symbolism. Here’s why this dish is associated with foxes:
1. Foxes and Aburaage
Legend has it that foxes love Aburaage. In Japanese mythology, foxes (kitsune) are often depicted as intelligent and mystical creatures, sometimes serving as messengers for the deity Inari, who is associated with rice and agriculture. Offerings of Aburaage were commonly made at Inari shrines, as it was believed to be a favorite food of these divine foxes. Over time, dishes featuring Aburaage came to be associated with the word "kitsune."
2. Folklore Connections
Foxes are also seen as shape-shifters in Japanese folklore, able to disguise themselves as humans. The dish’s name could symbolize the playful and mysterious nature of foxes, with the Aburaage serving as a humble yet transformative ingredient that elevates the simple soba noodles into something magical.
3. Color Symbolism
The golden-brown hue of fried Abura-age resembles the color of a fox’s fur, making the connection even more visually apparent.
