Noodle Dipping Sauce

Photo: flickr user °Florian

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups Dashi or light chicken stock

1/2 cup Dark soy sauce plus

2 tablespoons Dark soy sauce

4 tablespoons Mirin

1 teaspoon Sugar

1 ounce Dried bonito flakes

Cooked, cold soba noodles

Thinly-sliced scallions

Grated daikon

Quail eggs

Natto (optional)

Preparation

Combine the dashi, soy sauce, mirin, and sugar in a saucepan and bring just to a boil. Stir in the bonito flakes and immediately remove from the heat. Wait about 10 seconds for the flakes to get thoroughly soaked, and then strain. Let liquid cool to room temperature.

Serve with cold soba noodles for dipping, along with scallions, grated daikon, quail eggs and natto if you have a taste for it.