Singapore, March 12, 2010 - Enjoying freshly made buckwheat noodles in Singapore is a special treat considering that it's offered by two eateries only - Shimbashi Soba outlets, at Paragon and Raffles City. - Yuzu-kiri seiro, $14.80++
And rarer still is when specks of the aromatic skin of the Japanese citrus fruit - yuzu - are added to soba when it's being made and after it.
Served chilled with the slightly springy noodles dipped lightly in a soy-and-bonito-based sauce, it becomes a delectably refreshing meal, which is so appropriate in Singapore's weather.
For a limited period only, Shimbashi Soba is offering yuzu-kiri soba from March 15 to 31.
Another special feature about this soba is that only the white heart of the soba is used - hence it looks a polished creamy-white unlike the beige-coloured soba for normal consumption. This refined version is called seiro soba.
You can enjoy two versions of this yuzu-kiri soba during the promotion:
- Tempura yuzu-kiri soba, $23.80++ (which comes with assorted tempura)
The amount of yuzu used is just right - just enough to tillilate your tastebuds and yet still allow you to appreciate the natural flavour of the soba.
Your leftover sauce (called tsuyu) should not be wasted.
Nope, we're not suggesting that you gulp down this slightly salty-savoury sauce on its own. But rather, ask the wait staff for soba-yu to be added to the sauce and drink it like a soup.
Served in a small pot, the cloudy-looking soba-yu is the boiling water that's used to cook your soba earlier. It tastes good too as it has absorbed the goodness of the highly nutritious buckwheat.
When added to the tsuyu, soba-yu completes the meal for a soba connoisseur. The soup somehow warms your heart with a comfy feeling.
The two soba chefs making the noodles are like culinary treasures in Singapore's Japanese noodles landscape which continues to be dominated by ramen outlets.
If you don't overdo with the tempura, chances of staying slim with soba are higher than with the rich ramen that many Singaporeans love.
But soba - served both hot and cold - is not the only temptation there for fans - there are wide choices of Japan food available, from tasty chicken flavoured with Coke and assorted sashimi salad to value-for-money sets.
Shimbashi Soba outlets
#B1-41 Paragon
290 Orchard Road
Tel: 6735 9882
Daily: 11.30am - 10.00pm (Last Order: 9.30pm)
#B1-06/07 Raffles City
252 North Bridge Road
Singapore 179103
Tel: 6337 8852
Open daily: 11.30am - 10.00pm
(Dinner last order: 9.30pm)
