Japanese Soba Soup

Soba Soup

• 1

  Make the broth: Place chicken, kombu (if using), shiitakes, onion, scallions, garlic, ginger, jalapeno, carrot, and cabbage in a large pot. Add enough water to cover. Bring to a boil.

• 2

  Reduce heat, and simmer, covered, for 1 hour. Strain into a pot, and reserve mushrooms and chicken; discard remaining solids. Skim fat from broth. Thinly slice mushrooms. Remove skin from chicken, then shred meat into 1-inch pieces. (Broth, mushrooms, and chicken will keep, covered and refrigerated, for up to 1 day.)

• 3

  Make the soup: Cook soba in a large pot of boiling water until soft but not mushy, about 7 minutes. Drain, and rinse with cold water. Toss soba in a large bowl with sesame oil.

• 4

  Add soy sauce and sake to broth, and bring to a boil. Add cabbage and carrot, and cook for 5 minutes. Add shrimp, and boil until cooked through, about 2 minutes. Peel shrimp, leaving tails intact, and reserve. Add reserved mushrooms and chicken and the tofu to the broth, and cook for 2 minutes.

• 5

  Divide mushrooms, chicken, soba, cabbage, carrot, and tofu among bowls. Top each with 2 or 3 shrimp. Spoon broth over each serving, and garnish with scallions. Serve with individual bowls of chile sauce.

Chile Sauce

• 1

  Mix all ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until honey dissolves, about 3 minutes. Chile sauce will keep, covered and refrigerated, for up to 3 days.

• 2

  Makes 3/4 cup.