Black Sesame Otsu

Ingredient (4 servings)

• 50gm black sesame paste
• 1.5 tbsp sugar
• 1.5 tbsp light soy sauce
• 1.5 tsp mirin
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 2 tbsp dark rice vinegar
• 300gm soba noodles
• 400gm extra-firm tofu
• bunch of spring onion, finely chopped
• sesame seeds for garnish
  

Method

1. Combine black sesame paste, sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil & vinegar together and mix evenly. Adjust taste accordingly. Set aside.
2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the soba and cook according to the package instructions until tender. Drain, reserving some of the noodle cooking water, and rinse under cold running water.
3. While the noodles are cooking, drain the tofu, pat it dry, and cut into matchstick shapes. Season the tofu with a pinch of salt, toss with a small amount of oil, and cook in a large skillet over medium-high heat for a few minutes, tossing every couple minutes, until the pieces are browned on all sides.
4. Reserve a heaping tablespoon of the sesame paste, then thin the rest with 100ml of the hot noodle water. In a large mixing bowl, combine the soba, half of the green onions, and the black sesame paste. Toss until well combined. Add the tofu and toss again gently. Serve topped with a tiny dollop of the reserved sesame paste and the remaining green onions.
   

Recipe modified from SeriousEat.com