Somen vs Soba vs Udon: A Guide to Japanese Noodles | Hana Singapore

What Is Somen?

Somen is one of the thinnest Japanese noodles.

Made primarily from wheat flour, the noodles are fine, delicate and smooth. They cook very quickly and are particularly enjoyable served cold.

In Japan, cold somen is traditionally popular during the warmer summer months. Its light texture makes it refreshing to eat, while its relatively mild flavour means it pairs beautifully with different sauces, broths and toppings.

In Singapore’s weather, it’s easy to understand the appeal of a cold bowl of somen.

What Does Somen Taste Like?

Somen itself has a mild, subtle flavour. A big part of its appeal is its texture — thin, silky noodles that feel light rather than heavy.

Because the noodle doesn’t dominate the dish, the flavours it is paired with can really stand out.

This is also why somen works particularly well with more aromatic ingredients such as truffle.

Truffle Somen at Hana

At Hana Japanese Restaurant, somen has become part of some of our most popular dishes.

Our Cold Truffle Kombu Somen served with scallops, hamachi or salmon, is a favourite with many of our regulars.

Somen is also the favourite noodle choice for our famous Flying Noodles.

The noodles are presented suspended above the plate, creating the “flying” effect that has become one of Hana’s most recognisable dishes. Choose the somen version and it comes with its own truffle dipping sauce, served separately from the noodles.

It’s playful in presentation, but the combination itself works for a simple reason: the delicate flavour of somen is a great match for the richer aroma of truffle.

What Is Soba?

Soba is traditionally made from buckwheat, although many varieties also contain wheat flour.

Compared with somen, soba is darker in colour, slightly firmer and has a more distinctive flavour. Buckwheat gives it an earthy, slightly nutty character, so you tend to notice the taste of the noodle itself more.

Soba can be enjoyed both hot and cold.

Cold soba is commonly served with a dipping sauce, while hot soba is often served in broth with different toppings.

At Hana, soba is also available with our Flying Noodles. It comes with its own dipping sauce rather than the truffle dipping sauce served with the somen version.

So although the Flying Noodles presentation may be similar, choosing somen or soba creates a very different dish.

What Is Udon?

If somen is at the delicate end of Japanese noodles, udon is almost the opposite.

Udon is a thick wheat noodle known for its soft, chewy and satisfyingly bouncy texture.

It’s commonly served in a warm broth, although there are plenty of cold udon dishes too.

Because the noodles are much thicker, udon tends to feel heartier and more substantial than either somen or soba.

It’s the noodle to reach for when you’re in the mood for something comforting and filling.

Somen vs Soba vs Udon: What’s the Difference?

The easiest way to remember the three is by their texture and flavour.

Somen is very thin, smooth and delicate. It’s wheat-based, mild in flavour and particularly refreshing when served cold.

Soba is thin but firmer, with the earthier, nuttier flavour associated with buckwheat. It works beautifully both hot and cold.

Udon is thick, soft and chewy. It’s also wheat-based, but its substantial texture makes it feel completely different from somen.

There really isn’t a “best” Japanese noodle — it depends on what you feel like eating.

Which Japanese Noodle Should You Choose?

If you want something light, smooth and refreshing, choose somen.

If you prefer noodles with a little more earthy flavour and bite, try soba.

And if you’re craving something thick, chewy and comforting, udon is probably the one for you.

That variety is part of what makes Japanese food so interesting. Three dishes can all be described simply as “noodles”, yet the experience of eating each one can be completely different.

At Hana, we’ve always enjoyed taking familiar Japanese ingredients and giving them our own personality — whether it’s pairing cold somen with truffle, serving it with scallops or salmon for lunch, or having a little fun with our Flying Noodles.

Sometimes even the simplest Japanese ingredient gives you plenty of room to create something different.

Hana Japanese Restaurant

Forum The Shopping Mall

583 Orchard Road, #01-17

Singapore 238884

Lunch: Daily 12PM–3PM

Dinner: Daily 6PM–10PM