Chukasoba

Another very popular type of wheat noodles is chukasoba, which literally means “Chinese-style soba noodles.” Despite the name, the noodles contain no buckwheat flour (soba), but are made from wheat flour, which is mixed with water and a naturally obtained alkaline agent, kansui. The kansui provides the noodles with their distinctive elasticity. Today synthesized sodium carbonate or potassium carbonate has replaced natural kansui. Chukasoba noodles are creamy yellow (although they contain no eggs), curly, and resilient in texture. Unlike other noodles, chukasoba are served in a hot, richly flavored broth made from chicken and pork bones.