Soba Noodles with Crispy Pork Belly

with Smashed Cucumber and Sesame Tsuyu Dressing

Ingredients

Soba & Pork

• 250 g soba noodles
• 400-500 g pork belly
• Salt, for seasoning pork

Sesame Dressing

• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp mirin
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp honey or brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp chilli oil
• 1 clove garlic, finely grated
• 1 tsp fresh ginger, finely grated (optional)

Smashed Cucumber

• 1 cucumber
• Pinch of salt
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1/2 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp sesame seeds

Garnish

• 2 spring onions, thinly sliced
• 1 sheet nori (sushi style seaweed), cut into thin strips
• Sesame seeds
• Optional: lime wedges, thinly sliced radish

Method

Prepare the Pork

1. Slice pork belly into thin strips or small cubes
2. Pat dry with paper towel and season lightly with salt

Make the Dressing

1. In a small bowl combine soy sauce, mirin, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey or brown sugar, chilli oil, grated garlic and grated ginger
2. Stir until combined and set aside

Make the Smashed Cucumber

1. Cut the cucumber into rough chunks
2. Smash lightly using the flat side of a knife
3. Break into bite sized pieces
4. Mix with rice vinegar, sugar, salt and sesame seeds
5. Set aside

Cook the Pork (Cold Pan Method)

1. Place pork belly in a cold frying pan with no oil
2. Turn heat to medium - as the pan heats, the fat slowly renders and the pork fries in its own fat
3. Cook 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and crispy
4. Remove pork from the pan
5. Important: reserve 1 tbsp of the rendered pork fat

Cook the Soba Noodles

1. Bring a large pot of water to the boil
2. Cook soba according to package instructions (usually 4-5 minutes max)
3. Drain in a colander
4. Rinse thoroughly under cold running water, gently rubbing noodles to remove excess starch
5. Transfer noodles to ice-cold water for 20-30 seconds
6. Drain well

Dress the Cooked Noodles

1. Place noodles in a mixing bowl
2. Add several spoonfuls of the dressing and toss
3. Drizzle over a small spoonful of reserved pork fat

Assemble the Bowl

1. Twist noodles into a mound in a bowl
2. Top with crispy pork belly, smashed cucumber, sliced spring onions, shredded nori and sesame seeds
3. Optional: lime wedge, thinly sliced radish, light drizzle of chilli oil