There are lots of noodle bowl recipes out there. I like mine because it’s good, fast, and also cooked in one single pot! There is a LOT to say for an easy clean-up, especially on a weeknight. This recipe is probably a mash-up of several different ones out there, I definitely take some shortcuts for convenience… I forget the first time I saw this type of dish, but it’s been in our dinner rotation for years and never gets old. I love the bright colors and warm, tasty broth you get to sip at the end. 

Veggie Soba Bowls:

1 Tbsp sesame oil

1 large clove garlic, quartered

3 green onions, diced

1 in. piece of fresh ginger, peeled and grated

2 pinches lemongrass (optional)

2 C vegetable broth, or chicken broth; plus 2 C water

1 Tbsp shoyu or tamari

1 pinch red chili flakes

2 C each broccoli florets and thinly sliced mushrooms (I like shiitake or baby bellas)

½ pkg buckwheat soba noodles (find them gluten-free from Eden Foods)

1 small handful cilantro leaves, diced

Place sesame oil, garlic, and white parts of onions in a soup pot and heat on medium-high until they begin to sizzle and release flavor. Add in ginger and lemongrass, stir around for a minute and then add broth and water. Let water come to a light boil and add shoyu and chili flakes, then add broccoli and mushrooms. Cook veggies for about 4 minutes until broccoli is bright green and mushrooms are cooked down a bit. Portion off veggies equally (with a large slotted spoon) into soup bowls for serving later. Return broth to flame and add soba noodles, with some cilantro and onions tossed in for flavor, simmer for about 5-6 minutes until tender, then equally portion noodles into bowls with the veggies. Pour remaining broth over the dishes in equal amounts. Top with fresh cilantro and onions, drizzle of toasted sesame oil, and more chili flakes if you like spicy. Serve hot! 

*Therapeutically, buckwheat nourishes the digestive organs - especially the intestines, and can help with chronic bowel problems and poor appetite. It’s also a preferred grain for vascular and heart health. Not all packaged soba noodles are gluten-free, even though buckwheat itself is not related to wheat, many have gluten added. Look for designated gluten-free labels to ensure your noodles are 100% buckwheat flour.