Soya soba is all about buckwheat

From the mountainous  Gangwon province in South Korea, comes food that had its beginnings in the small village of Soyari, Wonju. It started as a small family business selling delicious buckwheat noodles. Rumoured to have started as far back as the 17th century, buckwheat noodles grew in popularity as it was regarded a healthy alternative to normal noodles to combat ‘heatiness’.

Now, its 3rd store, Soya Soba, has found its way to Mont Kiara, KL, offering soba for memill guksu (cold noodles).  The noodle shop also offers rice bowls as well. Soya here means little in Korean (and not the bean). 

Buckwheat is the Korean answer to Japanese soba – nutrient-rich, gluten- and chemical-free – with an earthy and nutty taste. Made fresh daily, it feels lighter on the palate, and doesn’t sit so heavily in the stomach, in contrast to commercial Japanese soba that’s a blend of buckwheat and wheat, and may still contain gluten although a lower percentage.  

Buckwheat noodles here are mostly served cold but I had Mando (dumplings) soba – RM29, a hot soba with mushroom laced broth as I find hot soup comforting. One slurp and I felt it in the depths of my soul – hot, soothing and agreeable.

My mate had bibim soba (RM29) which was practically vegetarian, chock full of veggies. The gochujang sauce was light and sweetish, making the dish pop with flavour. This was essentially bibimbap as we know it, but with buckwheat noodles. The sets come with one side dish and drink. 

The fishcake was superb, thick and spongey like in S. Korea, the broth lightly spicy, laced with chillies. We also had duck tangsuyuk, like sweet and sour pork, but with duck and plum sauce. But I wasn’t a fan of the batter which was somewhat chewy. 

Coffee was good quality too, served in a fancy Dior cup, no less!

I do enjoy a good bowl of cold noodles, but my personal quibble is the price, which is often the same as a bowl of noodles with meat, so it feels less satisfying, and carb rich.

Generally, food is delicious, authentic, offering a clever play of textures and subtle flavours. Highly recommended if you like Korean noods. 

Add: Lot 1-1 & 1-2, Verve Shop, 8, Jln Kiara 5, Mont Kiara, Kuala Lumpur. hp: 010379 3390