Name: Cold somen noodles with poached chicken and ponzu
Cook time: 30 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Japanese
Ingredients: 400g somen noodles; 1 Lebanese cucumber,thinly sliced into rounds; spring onions,finely sliced,to serve; freshly grated ginger,to serve; toasted sesame seeds,to serve

Substitute the chicken for prawns or tofu.William Meppem

easyTime:<30 minsServes:4

With the days still warm,I love cold noodles,whether ramen,soba or these thin Japanese wheat noodles called somen. I’ve dressed them with zingy ponzu,which I like to make with yuzu juice*,but I’m suggesting lime and lemon here for something more accessible. Cooked prawns or tofu are a good substitute for the poached chicken.

Ingredients

400g somen noodles
1 Lebanese cucumber,thinly sliced into rounds
spring onions,finely sliced,to serve
freshly grated ginger,to serve
toasted sesame seeds,to serve

FOR THE POACHED CHICKEN

2 x 250g skinless chicken breasts
1 tbsp sake
sea salt,for seasoning

FOR THE PONZU DRESSING

50ml mirin
100ml soy sauce
juice of ½ a lemon (about 40ml)
juice of 1 lime (about 40ml)
5g bonito flakes

Method

Step1
For the poached chicken, place the chicken breasts in a saucepan with the sake and cover with water. Season with salt and place on a high heat. As soon as it comes to a boil,remove from the heat and set aside for 10-12 minutes,then remove from the poaching liquid. Allow to cool,and slice.
Step2
For the ponzu,place the mirin in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Set aside and allow to cool. In a bowl,combine the cooled mirin,soy sauce,the lemon and lime juice and the bonito flakes and set aside for 10 minutes. Strain through a fine mesh sieve into a jug and discard the bonito flakes.
Step3
Cook the somen noodles according to the directions on the packet. Drain and run under cold water. Divide between four serving bowls.
Step4
Top each bowl of noodles with some sliced chicken,sliced cucumber,spring onions,grated ginger and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. Pour over the ponzu,reserving any extra for another use,and serve.

*Yuzu juice,made from an aromatic Asian citrus fruit,is available in most Japanese grocers and specialty food stores.