A quick, nutty bowl of goodness for one
Cooking for one doesn’t mean you’re stuck with beige toast or sad microwave meals. Enter this Ginger-Sesame Soba Bowl — quick, light, and full of flavour. It’s the sort of dish that makes you feel vaguely smug about eating something green while secretly delighted it only took 15 minutes to throw together.
Soba noodles (those lovely buckwheat-based Japanese-style noodles you’ll find in most supermarkets) team up with broccoli, edamame, and a punchy sesame dressing. It’s healthy but satisfying — perfect for a midweek solo dinner when you want something fresh but filling.
🌱 Nutritional Benefits
- Soba noodles → made from buckwheat, naturally high in fibre and a good source of manganese, magnesium, and plant-based protein.
- Edamame → protein powerhouse + rich in folate and iron (perfect energy booster).
- Broccoli → packed with vitamin C, fibre, and antioxidants.
- Sesame seeds & oil → add healthy fats that keep you fuller for longer.
Per serve (approx.):
- Calories: ~410
- Protein: 19g
- Fibre: 8g
A neat, balanced bowl with carbs, protein, and veg in harmony.
🛒 Ingredients (for one)
- 80g soba noodles
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- ½ cup frozen edamame (shelled)
- 1 spring onion, sliced
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 2 tsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp rice vinegar
- ½ tsp grated fresh ginger
- 1 tsp sesame seeds (toasted if possible)
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cook your soba → Boil a pot of water, cook the soba according to packet directions (usually 4–5 minutes). Drain and rinse under cold water (stops them clumping).
- Steam the greens → While noodles cook, steam or microwave broccoli until just tender (about 2 minutes). Heat edamame in microwave for 1 minute.
- Mix the dressing → In a small bowl, whisk together sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and ginger.
- Assemble the bowl → Toss soba, broccoli, and edamame with the dressing. Scatter over spring onion and sesame seeds.
- Eat straight from the bowl → because who’s dirtying another dish when cooking for one?
🔄 Swaps & Variations
- Swap edamame for chickpeas or peas if that’s what’s lurking in your freezer.
- Add a soft-boiled egg or shredded chicken for extra protein.
- Want a spicy kick? Stir in a drizzle of sriracha or a sprinkle of chilli flakes.
- No soba? Use wholemeal spaghetti — no one will know.
🥡 Storage & Leftovers
This dish is best eaten fresh, but you can store leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 24 hours. The noodles firm up a bit, so just loosen with a splash of warm water or extra soy sauce before eating.
🌟 Final Note
This Ginger-Sesame Soba Bowl is one of those quietly impressive meals that tastes like café takeaway but costs less and leaves zero guilt. Plus, it’s a proper nutrition boost when you’ve been living on coffee and crackers.
