Soba vs Udon - A Complete Guide to Popular Japanese Noodles

Japanese noodles are more than ramen! Soba and udon are also popular with their unique flavors, making them one of the reasons to visit Japan for many travelers.

If you haven't tried soba and udon yet, you can add them to your list of "must-eats and drinks in Japan". You might be wondering what the difference is between soba and udon. Which is more to your taste, soba vs udon?

This article has you covered! Let's explore the charm of Japanese noodles together!

What Is Soba?

Soba noodles are made mostly from buckwheat flour, which gives them a richer and nuttier flavor than other noodles.

They are served in most Japanese restaurants regardless of the season and are an important constituent of the country's cuisine, serving as one of the best foods to try in Japan. Soba dishes are so common that noodles are often simply referred to as soba in Japanese.

Soba noodles are brown, which makes them easy to recognize because most other noodles in Japan are yellow or white.

Soba noodles are dense, thin, and long. When dried, they are similar in shape to spaghetti.

In grocery stores, soba noodles are often found dried. Many restaurants, however, make them from scratch. They are served in many hot soup dishes as well as in some cold dry dishes.

Soba Health Benefits

When going out for noodles in Japan, soba noodles are the healthiest option. They are not only low in calories but also low in carbohydrates and contain all eight essential amino acids.

The basic ingredient of soba noodles, buckwheat flour, is known for having many health benefits, including important nutrients such as vitamin B, fiber, and iron. In Japan, soba noodles are regarded as being restorative and energy-boosting.

In recent years, buckwheat has been regarded as a healthy food because it is gluten-free. It's important, however, to know that most soba noodles are not entirely gluten-free, because they do contain a small amount of wheat flour.

If you prefer gluten-free food, you can order soba noodles that are made entirely from buckwheat flour by asking for juwari soba instead of regular soba.

Popular Type of Soba

Soba noodles are served either cold or hot, with specifically designed broths and sauces that are light and refreshing. This perfectly lets the natural flavor of the noodles shine through and complements the nuttiness of the buckwheat.

If you expect a food tour in Japan, here are some popular types of soba you may want to try.

• Kake Soba (hot). It is a hot noodle soup dish served in a broth called kakejiru, made from soy sauce, mirin, and dashi. This soba noodle is usually only topped with green onions and possibly a fish cake, but nothing else. The simplicity of its flavors is meant to highlight the taste and texture of the noodles.
• Kitsune Soba (hot/cold). This can be served hot or cold. It is a dish of noodles in broth, topped with aburaage. Aburaage are pieces of thinly sliced tofu that have been coated in soy sauce and sugar and then fried. This dish originated in Osaka and is a well-loved Japanese classic.
• Oroshi Soba(cold). A cold soba that is perfect for summer, featuring chilled soba noodles topped with grated radish, shredded nori seaweed, and green onion, and served with cold broth. Oroshi soba is a great light meal when the hot summer heat has made you lose your appetite.
• Tanuki Soba (hot/cold). A noodle soup dish topped with bits of crunchy tempura batter left over from the tempura frying process. The deep-fried batter bits in this dish add a nice texture and are one of the only toppings besides green onions.
• Tempura Soba (hot/cold). A dish consisting of noodles and broth that comes with a serving of tempura (fried vegetables or seafood). The tempura is normally served in the bowl with noodles and broth, but can sometimes be served separately.

What Is Udon?

Like soba, udon noodles are extremely popular in Japan, though they haven't yet become popular in other countries. They are very different from soba noodles in appearance. Whereas soba noodles are brown, flat, and thin, udon noodles are glossy white, round, and thick.

Udon noodles have their own unique taste and texture. Made from wheat flour, they are much milder in flavor than their buckwheat counterparts and are thick and chewy in texture. Because of their neutral flavor, udon noodles go with almost all broths and flavors, making for endless possibilities.

While udon noodles don't have as many health benefits as soba noodles, they are known specifically for being easy on the stomach, and their versatility makes them difficult to dislike.

The taste and density of udon noodles can vary according to the region of Japan where you eat them. The most famous place for trying udon noodles is Kagawa prefecture, where they are known for being chewy and springy. Kagawa is said to be the home of udon, making trying noodles there become one of the things to do in Japan.

Udon Health Benefits

Udon noodles are a traditional Japanese noodle dish that is not only delicious but also offers health benefits. Made mainly from wheat flour, they provide rich carbohydrates, which can give the body the energy it needs to get through the day.

Also, udon noodles are rich in dietary fiber, B vitamins, and essential minerals such as thiamine and niacin. Having a bowl of udon noodles can keep you energized in your daily life.

Additionally, their soft texture makes them easy to digest and suitable for people of all ages, including children and the elderly.

Popular Type of Udon

There is a practically endless variety of broths, sauces, and dishes with which udon can be served. If this is your first time trying udon noodles, it is recommended to start with some popular options, including:

• Kake Udon (hot). This is the most basic udon, usually served with only chopped green onions, to present the natural flavor of the ingredients. Although tempura, fish cakes, etc., can be added to enrich the flavor, additional toppings are usually considered unnecessary as the udon itself is already filling enough.
• Tsukimi Udon (hot). It is usually served in hot broth, featuring a raw egg that sits on top of the noodles.
• Curry Udon (hot). Serving udon noodles with flavorful Japanese curry is one of the most classic ways to eat in winter. Not only does it add flavor, but it's also a quick way to regain warmth on a cold winter day.
• Yaki Udon (hot). Unlike traditional soup udon, yaki udon is made by stir-frying udon noodles with various vegetables, meat, or seafood. This dish offers a different flavor of udon, making it widely popular in Japan.
• Zaru Udon (cold). A cold dish consisting of chilled noodles served on a bamboo mat. The noodles are served with a dipping sauce, and customers are meant to dip the noodles before eating. The dish is light, healthy, and delicious, and is refreshing during the hot summer months.

Comparison of Soba vs Udon

Can you tell the difference between soba and udon noodles after going through all the information offered previously?

If not, here's a quick comparison of udon vs soba noodles.

Taste Regional Soba and Udon Dishes

Soba and udon can be easily found all across Japan, especially in the most celebrated culinary centers like Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. However, each town, particularly in regions where the soil is suitable for growing buckwheat, takes pride in its unique specialty noodle dishes.

Tasting regional soba or udon provides a unique chance to enjoy authentic Japanese noodles and learn about local dining etiquette.

Regional Soba Dishes

• Shinshu soba is the representative food of Nagano Prefecture, which contains at least 40% soba flour mixed with wheat flour.
• Ita soba, a type of noodle that is made of unpolished soba flour giving the noodles a stronger texture, is famous in Yamagata Prefecture. This type of soba is also cut slightly larger and served on a large board called ita.
• Izumo soba is popular in Izumo where the flour is made from the buckwheat seed's hull and has a stronger smell. Izumo soba is usually served in a three-story stackable dish with different toppings and dipping sauces served on the side to be added in. Traditionally, after you finish the top dish of Izumo soba, you should pour the leftover sauce into the middle layer and then the last layer after that. This way, the sauce continues to develop a rich flavor.
• Cha soba is a kind of soba flavored with green tea powder and thus results in green noodles. Cha soba can be easily found in Uji, a small city that boasts some of the best matcha in Japan. This dish can be served both hot and cold.
• Nishin soba is a unique dish that includes a whole Pacific herring as a topping. The fish is first simmered in soy sauce, rice wine, and sugar before it is dried and then braised.

Regional Udon Dishes

• Sanuki Udon is the most famous type of udon in Japan and is named after the previous name of Kagawa Prefecture. Sanuki udon has a more firm and chewy texture due to the inclusion of a specific type of wheat. This dish can be served both cold with dipping sauce and hot with broth and toppings.
• Mizusawa Udon is another famous type of udon that is known for being made from locally grown wheat flour, spring water, and carefully selected salt. These noodles have a firm and thick quality and are usually served cold with a soy-based dipping sauce or a sesame dipping sauce.
• Inaniwa Udon has a history of over 300 years and was first made in the Inaniwa area of Akita. These noodles are thinner and have a smooth texture due to the way the traditional way noodles are prepared, which takes about four days and includes kneading the dough, wrapping it around rods, flattening and stretching the noodles, and finally leaving them out to air dry.
• Ise Udon is a thick and chewy noodle that is served with a dark sauce which is often made from dried kelp or smoked fish. Common toppings on this dish include green onions and bonito fish flakes. Ise Udon is widely sold at traditional udon restaurants.

Where to Eat Soba and Udon

Soba and udon noodles can be found all over Japan, in most noodle shops, family restaurants, and eateries, and near tourist sites.

You can also find them at specialty restaurants. Restaurants that specialize in udon are called udon-ya and those that specialize in soba are called soba-ya.

Additionally, quick noodle meals can often be found in restaurants clustered below department stores and at train tations.

A typical bowl of noodles costs between 500 yen (about 3 dollars) and 1,000 yen (about 7 dollars), but some more up-market restaurants charge between 1,000 yen to 1,500 yen (about 10 dollars). There are also low-cost noodle chains where budget travelers can find noodle bowls for a price below 500 yen.

FAQs About Soba vs Udon

Soba vs Udon: Which is Healthier?

Soba noodles and udon noodles are both classic staples of Japanese cuisine. However, soba is often considered healthier because it is rich in dietary fiber and provides a longer-lasting feeling of fullness while providing lower carbohydrates and calories. This makes it a good choice for those who need to control their weight.

Additionally, soba noodles are rich in B vitamins, iron, and fiber, which are essential for maintaining bodily functions. Besides, pure soba is gluten-free, making it especially suitable for people with sensitive stomachs or those who require a gluten-free diet.

Soba and Udon vs Yakisoba: What's the Difference?

First of all, it should be clear that although the name yakisoba includes the word soba, yakisoba noodles are not made with buckwheat flour but instead with wheat flour, like udon and ramen. This means that they may not be as healthy as soba noodles, and individuals with gluten sensitivity should be cautious when choosing them.

In addition, yakisoba noodles are round, but much smaller and thinner than udon, making it cook differently from udon and soba noodles! Soba and udon noodles are usually boiled and served in soup or dipping sauce, while yakisoba noodles are stir-fried in a pan or wok and are usually served without broth.

Enjoy the Unique Flavors of Japanese Noodles

This article delves into the differences between udon and soba, taking you on a journey through the diverse flavors of Japanese noodles, from the rich curry udon to the refreshing oroshi soba. Ready to start your food tour in Japan?

If you don't know where to start planning your trip, our Asia Highlights team has rich experience and knowledge to help you craft the perfect trip to Japan. From food route planning to accommodation and transportation, we can provide the most professional advice.

If you need help, please feel free to contact us for consultation. Hope you have a wonderful trip to Japan.

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