Nishin Soba

Instructions

1. Prepare the herring
   After soaking the dried herring for 2 hours, rinse well and pat dry. Cut each piece into 2-3 smaller pieces. In a small pan, simmer the herring with 200ml of dashi, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon mirin, and 1 tablespoon sake for about 10 minutes until tender.
2. Make the broth
   In a large pot, combine the remaining dashi stock, soy sauce, mirin, sake, sugar, and grated ginger. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary.
3. Cook the soba
   Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the soba noodles and cook according to package instructions, usually 4-5 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. When cooked, drain immediately and rinse under cold running water to remove excess starch. Drain well.
4. Assemble the dish
   Divide the cooked soba noodles among four deep serving bowls. Ladle the hot broth over the noodles. Place pieces of the simmered herring on top of each bowl.
5. Add the garnishes
   Sprinkle each bowl with chopped green onions and strips of nori. Add a small amount of shichimi togarashi for those who want a spicy kick. Serve immediately while hot.