Somen
Somen are hair-thin wheat noodles, stretched with oil and dried, almost always served ice-cold in summer with a small cup of chilled dipping sauce. The texture is smooth and slippery and the appeal is relief from heat rather than bold flavour. A hot winter version (nyumen) exists but is far less common. Visitors sometimes confuse the near-identical hiyamugi, which is cut slightly thicker.
NOODLES
ABOUT
Somen are hair-thin wheat noodles, stretched with oil and dried, almost always served ice-cold in summer with a small cup of chilled dipping sauce. The texture is smooth and slippery and the appeal is relief from heat rather than bold flavour. A hot winter version (nyumen) exists but is far less common. Visitors sometimes confuse the near-identical hiyamugi, which is cut slightly thicker.
DIETARY NOTES
General guidance for the standard version of this dish. Recipes vary by shop and region — always confirm with the restaurant if you have an allergy or a religious dietary requirement.
DETAILS