So I called my Japanese friend to ask how to cook the soba noodles. These being the buckwheat soba noodles that I bought not realizing that the instructions were written entirely in Japanese. Her answer? ‘Oh, come on. You know how to cook noodles!’ Very helpful, I must say. And my next question was what does mono mean in Japanese, because I was puzzled by the Japanese clear broth I’d bought, which was called osuimono. It obviously couldn’t mean the same as it does in Greek. Mono, in Japanese, apparently means things. And osuimono means things to sip. Good. That makes perfect sense. And the ‘o’ makes the ‘sui’ more formal. And so I learn something new …
Here’s a thoroughly informal slurpable soup
a sachet of osuimono
soba noodles
shiitake mushrooms, fresh or dried
pak (bok) choy
sliced spring onions (scallions)
finely sliced fresh ginger
No, I didn't take a bite out of it!
Cook the noodles according to packet instructions (if they’re in a language you understand). Or cook for about 5 minutes. Just keep an eye on them. Like Italian pasta, they shouldn’t go gloopy.
Put the contents of the packet of osuimono into a saucepan. Add boiling water.
Toss in the shiitakes if you’re using fresh ones. If you’re using dried ones, soak them first for 30 minutes in boiling water, then toss them in. Also toss in the ginger and spring onions. Finally, chuck in the pak choy and the noodles. Bring to a simmer. Decant into a bowl. Watch the rain fall outside. Slurp.
Munchies In Manhattan 
